Guest MINDSETTERS™: Abused, Neglected Children Need Resources to Heal
Guest MINDSETTERS™: Carlene Casciano-McCann, Holland McDuff, and Marty Sinnott
Guest MINDSETTERS™: Abused, Neglected Children Need Resources to Heal
Unfortunately, there are a number of children here in Rhode Island who must cope with traumatic flashbacks in their daily lives. As service providers, we have witnessed children reliving past sexual abuse, pleading with the perpetrator to leave them alone, to stop hurting them, and to stop treating them as less than human. Each case is unique, and there’s no clear and easy solution for such deep suffering. What is clear, though, is that the System of Care that helps these kids to rebuild their lives should never be neglected.
Rhode Island’s System of Care includes two critical networks of community providers: the Ocean State Network for Children and Families (OSNCF) and Rhode Island Care Management Newtork (RICMN). The organizations within these networks work to ensure that children and families in our state have access to the support services when they need them the most. By fostering deep connections within the community, child welfare providers create a supportive, responsive environment that is focused on the individualized needs of each child and family.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTRecent, dramatic increases in out-of-state placements of children and a 30% increase – this year alone – in children being removed from their homes have created an unexpected $5.3M deficit in the System of Care. An inability to reduce the use of group placements, mentioned in Lynn Arditi’s June 6, Providence Journal article “A high rate of youths in residential care”, is reality because of unbudgeted, unpredictably high increases mentioned above. The fiscal stress that has been placed on our agencies is great. While we are tasked with providing care to children and families, we do not have the ability to predetermine how many children will be placed into our care, and we cannot increase state or third-party insurer funds to cover the cost of that care. As a result, if the $5.3M deficit is not filled by the General Assembly and Governor before June 30 of this year, hundreds of layoffs will be unavoidable, along with the possible closure of smaller community providers. The problem will continue in next year’s budget unless steps are taken: $850,000 and $4.2 million will be cut from Family Care Community Partnerships and Family Care Networks, respectively (both of which operate as part of the System of Care). Neither one of these fiscal crisis are addressed in the budget approved by the House Finance committee late in the evening of June 5.
Increases in the number of children being removed from their homes is not exclusively the choice of providers or the fault of the children and families they we serve. Many families in our state are in crisis and in need of assistance – the cycle of poverty, household financial challenges, battles with addiction and mental illness, and health care emergencies have left families and children without the resources that they desperately need. Providers within the System of Care have responded day and night as the state has asked us to care for these families and children.
At the same time, challenging fiscal times have caused us to think more creatively and flexibly. Obstacles and challenges have a way of strengthening the resolve of non-profit organizations. However, there comes a point when a lack of funding breaks us – and those we serve.
As a society, we have a responsibility to help victims heal so that they may lead productive lives free from abuse. Are we prepared, as a state, to turn our back on victimized children? Surely this is not the way that Rhode Islanders would choose to treat our children.
If you agree, please show your support for us during the height of this state budget season as we implore the legislature and Governor to recognize the need to invest in the health and welfare of children and families who have suffered the emotional and psychological scars of abuse and neglect. It is both the humane and fiscally responsible thing to do. Please make your voice heard now by visiting www.rightnowforkids.org and sharing your story. Let us stand together for our most vulnerable citizens: our children, our future.
Carlene Casciano-McCann is the Executive Director of St. Mary’s Home for Children.
Margaret Holland McDuff is the CEO of Family Service of RI.
Marty Sinnott is the President and CEO of Child & Family.
The Most and Least Charitable Communities in RI
#72
Pawtucket (city center)
Zip Code: 02862
Total Contributions: $12,678
Median Contribution: $497
Median Income: $36,005
Percent of Income Given: 1.38%
State Ranking: 72 out of 72
#71
Wood River Junction (Richmond)
Zip Code: 02894
Total Contributions: $101,921
Median Contribution: $888
Median Income: $51,379
Percent of Income Given: 1.73%
State Ranking: 71 out of 72
#70
Glendale (Burrillville)
Zip Code: 02826
Total Contributions: $188,260
Median Contribution: $1,018
Median Income: $48,081
Percent of Income Given: 2.12%
State Ranking: 70 out of 72
#69
Harrisville (Burrillville)
Zip Code: 02830
Total Contributions: $1,606,380
Median Contribution: $1,197
Median Income: $53,846
Percent of Income Given: 2.22%
State Ranking: 69 out of 72
#68
Slatersville (North Smithfield)
Zip Code: 02876
Total Contributions: $359,187
Median Contribution: $1,149
Median Income: $51,040
Percent of Income Given: 2.25%
State Ranking: 68 out of 72
#67
Pascoag (Burrillville)
Zip Code: 02859
Total Contributions: $1,209,022
Median Contribution: $1,113
Median Income: $48,825
Percent of Income Given: 2.28%
State Ranking: 67 out of 72
Photo: Flickr/Lara Mercer Photography
#66
Carolina (Richmond and Charlestown)
Zip Code: 02812
Total Contributions: $436,741
Median Contribution: $1,411
Median Income: $61,702
Percent of Income Given: 2.29%
State Ranking: 66 out of 72
#65
Mapleville (Burrillville)
Zip Code: 02839
Total Contributions: $378,041
Median Contribution: $1,359
Median Income: $56,568
Percent of Income Given: 2.4%
State Ranking: 65 out of 72
#64
Manville (Lincoln)
Zip Code: 02838
Total Contributions: $432,246
Median Contribution: $1,129
Median Income: $46,394
Percent of Income Given: 2.43%
State Ranking: 64 out of 72
#63
Hope Valley (Hopkinton)
Zip Code: 02832
Total Contributions: $1,357,534
Median Contribution: $1,368
Median Income: $54,735
Percent of Income Given: 2.5%
State Ranking: 63 out of 72
#62
Tiverton
Zip Code: 02878
Total Contributions: $4,728,358
Median Contribution: $1,391
Median Income: $54,877
Percent of Income Given: 2.53%
State Ranking: 62 out of 72
#61
Ashaway (Hopkinton)
Zip Code: 02804
Total Contributions: $715,299
Median Contribution: $1,285
Median Income: $50,519
Percent of Income Given: 2.54%
State Ranking: 61 out of 72
#60
Cumberland
Zip Code: 02864
Total Contributions: $12,214,097
Median Contribution: $1,525
Median Income: $58,918
Percent of Income Given: 2.59%
State Ranking: 60 out of 72
#59
North Smithfield
Zip Code: 02896
Total Contributions: $3,633,966
Median Contribution: $1,545
Median Income: $59,407
Percent of Income Given: 2.6%
State Ranking: 59 out of 72
#58
Coventry
Zip Code: 02816
Total Contributions: $9,099,124
Median Contribution: $1,337
Median Income: $51,167
Percent of Income Given: 2.61%
State Ranking: 58 out of 72
#57
Chepachet (Glocester)
Zip Code: 02814
Total Contributions: $2,192,911
Median Contribution: $1,382
Median Income: $52,165
Percent of Income Given: 2.65%
State Ranking: 57 out of 72
#56
Johnston
Zip Code: 02919
Total Contributions: $7,263,569
Median Contribution: $1,280
Median Income: $47,107
Percent of Income Given: 2.72%
State Ranking: 56 out of 72
#55
Foster
Zip Code: 02825
Total Contributions: $1,764,204
Median Contribution: $1,513
Median Income: $55,644
Percent of Income Given: 2.72%
State Ranking: 55 out of 72
#54
Hope (Scituate)
Zip Code: 02831
Total Contributions: $1,588,587
Median Contribution: $1,709
Median Income: $62,125
Percent of Income Given: 2.75%
State Ranking: 54 out of 72
#53
Charlestown
Zip Code: 02813
Total Contributions: $2,846,869
Median Contribution: $1,492
Median Income: $54,088
Percent of Income Given: 2.76%
State Ranking: 53 out of 72
#52
Warren
Zip Code: 02885
Total Contributions: $2,609,226
Median Contribution: $1,418
Median Income: $51,360
Percent of Income Given: 2.76%
State Ranking: 52 out of 72
#51
Wyoming (Richmond and some of Hopkinton)
Zip Code: 02898
Total Contributions: $658,202
Median Contribution: $1,409
Median Income: $50,832
Percent of Income Given: 2.77%
State Ranking: 51 out of 72
#50
Smithfield
Zip Code: 02917
Total Contributions: $4,252,935
Median Contribution: $1,575
Median Income: $56,568
Percent of Income Given: 2.78%
State Ranking: 50 out of 72
#49
Warwick (eastern side of city)
Zip Code: 02889
Total Contributions: $7,947,858
Median Contribution: $1,245
Median Income: $44,574
Percent of Income Given: 2.79%
State Ranking: 49 out of 72
#48
West Greenwich
Zip Code: 02817
Total Contributions: $2,459,855
Median Contribution: $1,735
Median Income: $61,675
Percent of Income Given: 2.81%
State Ranking: 48 out of 72
#47
West Kingston (South Kingstown)
Zip Code: 02892
Total Contributions: $1,955,448
Median Contribution: $1,725
Median Income: $60,949
Percent of Income Given: 2.83%
State Ranking: 47 out of 72
#46
Greene (Coventry)
Zip Code: 02827
Total Contributions: $686,482
Median Contribution: $1,563
Median Income: $55,164
Percent of Income Given: 2.83%
State Ranking: 46 out of 72
#45
Pawtucket (around Newport Ave.)
Zip Code: 02861
Total Contributions: $4,157,732
Median Contribution: $1,182
Median Income: $41,533
Percent of Income Given: 2.85%
State Ranking: 45 out of 72
#44
Bradford (Hopkinton and Westerly)
Zip Code: 02808
Total Contributions: $390,672
Median Contribution: $1,392
Median Income: $48,646
Percent of Income Given: 2.86%
State Ranking: 44 out of 72
#43
Albion (Lincoln)
Zip Code: 02802
Total Contributions: $166,576
Median Contribution: $1,030
Median Income: $35,429
Percent of Income Given: 2.91%
State Ranking: 43 out of 72
#42
North Scituate (Scituate)
Zip Code: 02857
Total Contributions: $3,986,914
Median Contribution: $1,668
Median Income: $57,287
Percent of Income Given: 2.91%
State Ranking: 42 out of 72
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
#41
Greenville (Smithfield)
Zip Code: 02828
Total Contributions: $3,058,124
Median Contribution: $1,765
Median Income: $59,811
Percent of Income Given: 2.95%
State Ranking: 41 out of 72
#40
Woonsocket
Zip Code: 02895
Total Contributions: $4,030,488
Median Contribution: $1,246
Median Income: $42,081
Percent of Income Given: 2.96%
State Ranking: 40 out of 72
#39
North Providence
Zip Code: 02911
Total Contributions: $3,180,446
Median Contribution: $1,301
Median Income: $43,857
Percent of Income Given: 2.97%
State Ranking: 39 out of 72
#38
Lincoln
Zip Code: 02865
Total Contributions: $9,444,846
Median Contribution: $1,867
Median Income: $62,526
Percent of Income Given: 2.99%
State Ranking: 38 out of 72
#37
Rumford (East Providence)
Zip Code: 02916
Total Contributions: $3,402,377
Median Contribution: $1,603
Median Income: $53,117
Percent of Income Given: 3.02%
State Ranking: 37 out of 72
#36
Riverside (East Providence)
Zip Code: 02915
Total Contributions: $3,807,018
Median Contribution: $1,336
Median Income: $44,260
Percent of Income Given: 3.02%
State Ranking: 36 out of 72
#35
Cranston (west of I-295)
Zip Code: 02921
Total Contributions: $7,168,421
Median Contribution: $2,041
Median Income: $67,464
Percent of Income Given: 3.03%
State Ranking: 35 out of 72
#34
Wakefield (South Kingstown)
Zip Code: 02880
Total Contributions: $270,133
Median Contribution: $1,736
Median Income: $56,747
Percent of Income Given: 3.06%
State Ranking: 34 out of 72
#33
East Providence
Zip Code: 02914
Total Contributions: $2,777,504
Median Contribution: $1,272
Median Income: $41,372
Percent of Income Given: 3.07%
State Ranking: 33 out of 72
#32
Exeter
Zip Code: 02822
Total Contributions: $2,419,899
Median Contribution: $1,799
Median Income: $58,389
Percent of Income Given: 3.08%
State Ranking: 32 out of 72
#31
Hopkinton
Zip Code: 02833
Total Contributions: $158,743
Median Contribution: $1,519
Median Income: $49,053
Percent of Income Given: 3.10%
State Ranking: 31 out of 72
#30
Warwick (western side of city)
Zip Code: 02886
Total Contributions: $10,679,970
Median Contribution: $1,561
Median Income: $50,319
Percent of Income Given: 3.10%
State Ranking: 30 out of 72
#29
Portsmouth
Zip Code: 02871
Total Contributions: $8,391,695
Median Contribution: $2,044
Median Income: $65,463
Percent of Income Given: 3.12%
State Ranking: 29 out of 72
#28
Bristol
Zip Code: 02809
Total Contributions: $7,139,932
Median Contribution: $1,782
Median Income: $56,097
Percent of Income Given: 3.18%
State Ranking: 28 out of 72
#27
West Warwick
Zip Code: 02893
Total Contributions: $6,111,373
Median Contribution: $1,381
Median Income: $43,177
Percent of Income Given: 3.20%
State Ranking: 27 out of 72
#26
Westerly
Zip Code: 02891
Total Contributions: $7,692,894
Median Contribution: $1,792
Median Income: $56,007
Percent of Income Given: 3.20%
State Ranking: 26 out of 72
#25
Saunderstown (Narragansett and North Kingstown)
Zip Code: 02874
Total Contributions: $4,432,357
Median Contribution: $2,430
Median Income: $75,266
Percent of Income Given: 3.23%
State Ranking: 25 out of 72
#24
Cranston (between I-295 and I-95)
Zip Code: 02920
Total Contributions: $9,974,912
Median Contribution: $1,521
Median Income: $46,992
Percent of Income Given: 3.24%
State Ranking: 24 out of 72
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
#23
Wakefield (South Kingstown)
Zip Code: 02879
Total Contributions: $11,415,993
Median Contribution: $2,069
Median Income: $63,872
Percent of Income Given: 3.24%
State Ranking: 23 out of 72
#22
Central Falls
Zip Code: 02863
Total Contributions: $314,420
Median Contribution: $1,210
Median Income: $37,257
Percent of Income Given: 3.25%
State Ranking: 22 out of 72
#21
Barrington
Zip Code: 02806
Total Contributions: $24,119,792
Median Contribution: $2,589
Median Income: $77,050
Percent of Income Given: 3.36%
State Ranking: 21 out of 72
#20
Jamestown
Zip Code: 02835
Total Contributions: $4,893,282
Median Contribution: $2,306
Median Income: $68,574
Percent of Income Given: 3.36%
State Ranking: 20 out of 72
#19
East Greenwich
Zip Code: 02818
Total Contributions: $18,767,229
Median Contribution: $2,576
Median Income: $76,293
Percent of Income Given: 3.38%
State Ranking: 19 out of 72
#18
North Kingstown
Zip Code: 02852
Total Contributions: $13,188,539
Median Contribution: $2,108
Median Income: $62,130
Percent of Income Given: 3.39%
State Ranking: 18 out of 72
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
#17
New Shoreham (Block Island)
Zip Code: 02807
Total Contributions: $967,527
Median Contribution: $2,024
Median Income: $59,403
Percent of Income Given: 3.41%
State Ranking: 17 out of 72
#16
Warwick (around Post Rd. and Warwick Ave.)
Zip Code: 02888
Total Contributions: $6,014,549
Median Contribution: $1,506
Median Income: $44,079
Percent of Income Given: 3.42%
State Ranking: 16 out of 72
#15
Cranston (around Reservoir Ave.)
Zip Code: 02910
Total Contributions: $4,454,089
Median Contribution: $1,464
Median Income: $41,309
Percent of Income Given: 3.54%
State Ranking: 15 out of 72
#14
Providence (South Side and Washington Park) and Cranston (Edgewood)
Zip Code: 02905
Total Contributions: $3,887,148
Median Contribution: $1,573
Median Income: $44,185
Percent of Income Given: 3.56%
State Ranking: 14 out of 72
#13
Pawtucket (city center)
Zip Code: 02860
Total Contributions: $4,188,604
Median Contribution: $1,392
Median Income: $38,758
Percent of Income Given: 3.59%
State Ranking: 13 out of 72
#12
Providence (Charles and Mt. Hope and some of N. Providence)
Zip Code: 02904
Total Contributions: $5,991,831
Median Contribution: $1,524
Median Income: $41,441
Percent of Income Given: 3.68%
State Ranking: 12 out of 72
#11
Middletown
Zip Code: 02842
Total Contributions: $5,879,356
Median Contribution: $2,067
Median Income: $55,467
Percent of Income Given: 3.73%
State Ranking: 11 out of 72
#10
Narragansett
Zip Code: 02882
Total Contributions: $6,903,240
Median Contribution: $2,197
Median Income: $57,642
Percent of Income Given: 3.81%
State Ranking: 10 out of 72
#9
Providence (West End, Olneyville, Hartford, Silver Lake)
Zip Code: 02909
Total Contributions: $1,704,125
Median Contribution: $1,332
Median Income: $34,563
Percent of Income Given: 3.85%
State Ranking: 9 out of 72
#8
Little Compton
Zip Code: 02837
Total Contributions: $3,263,684
Median Contribution: $2,620
Median Income: $66,007
Percent of Income Given: 3.97%
State Ranking: 8 out of 72
#7
Providence (downtown)
Zip Code: 02940
Total Contributions: $214,634
Median Contribution: $1,298
Median Income: $31,222
Percent of Income Given: 4.16%
State Ranking: 7 out of 72
#6
Providence (Mount Pleasant, Valley, Elmhurst, Smith Hill, Wanskuck)
Zip Code: 02908
Total Contributions: $4,558,609
Median Contribution: $1,727
Median Income: $39,438
Percent of Income Given: 4.38%
State Ranking: 6 out of 72
#5
East Side of Providence
Zip Code: 02906
Total Contributions: $32,324,450
Median Contribution: $3,115
Median Income: $69,647
Percent of Income Given: 4.47%
State Ranking: 5 out of 72
#4
Providence (downtown)
Zip Code: 02903
Total Contributions: $9,760,154
Median Contribution: $2,812
Median Income: $62,786
Percent of Income Given: 4.48%
State Ranking: 4 out of 72
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
#3
Newport
Zip Code: 02840
Total Contributions: $9,529,099
Median Contribution: $2,379
Median Income: $52,641
Percent of Income Given: 4.52%
State Ranking: 3 out of 72
#2
Kingston (South Kingstown)
Zip Code: 02881
Total Contributions: $1,763,416
Median Contribution: $3,401
Median Income: $68,895
Percent of Income Given: 4.94%
State Ranking: 2 out of 72
#1
Providence (West End, Reservoir, Elmwood)
Zip Code: 02907
Total Contributions: $1,270,182
Median Contribution: $1,791
Median Income: $36,029
Percent of Income Given: 4.97%
State Ranking: 1 out of 72
