Warwick Police and The Providence Center Team Up for Public Safety
GoLocalProv News Team
Warwick Police and The Providence Center Team Up for Public Safety
The Providence Center and the Warwick Police have teamed up for public safety. With this new partnership, a Community Diversion Clinician will be in the police department and will assist them in incidents in the community where mental illness is a factor.
“This innovative partnership will not only benefit those relying upon police in times of crisis, but it will also benefit our neighborhoods by further enhancing public safety" said Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian about the partnership.
The clinician inside the department will be Maureen Gouveia who has more than ten years of experience working in corrections, criminal justice and mental health.
“With the addition of a clinician to our team, we will have greater professional expertise on hand to diagnose conditions, defuse tensions, and help a situation end in a positive way for all members of the community" said Captain Joseph Coffey of the Patrol Division.
The Providence Center is Rhode Island's largest community health organization, serving more than 13,000 people per year with an annual budget of $44 million and 700 staff members across 13 locations throughout the state.
New England's Healthiest States 2013
6. Rhode Island
Overall Rank: 19
Outcomes Rank: 30
Determinants Rank: 13
Diabetes Rank: 26
Smoking Rank: 14
Obesity Rank: 13
Strengths:
1. Low prevalence of obesity
2. High immunization coverage among adolescents
3. Ready availability of primary care physicians
Challenges:
1.High rate of drug deaths
2. High rate of preventable hospitalizations
3. Large disparity in heath status by educational attainment