JRI/COVID-19 Navigator

Do you have a question about how JRI services, related to COVID-19 or otherwise?

(508) 468-6042
navigator@jri.org
Rachel Arruda

Rachel has been a part of the JRI team since January, 2000. For over 20 years, Rachel has been working in the field of human services assisting families with accessing and navigating services. Rachel received her Bachelors degree in psychology and Masters Degree in Public Administration from Bridgewater State University. She was promoted in July 2005 to Family Networks Program Director where she closely worked with the Department of Children Families for 10 years ensuring that children and families received the highest quality of individualized services ranging from community based through residential care. Rachel is very dedicated to helping the individuals she works with and is committed to improving the lives of children and families. Rachel’s passion for creative service programming inspires her in her role as JRI Service Navigator.

JRI Leader in Social Justice
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Upcoming Protests and Events

COVID-19 and Vaccination Info

Legislation Supported by JRI

Racial Justice Resources

Immigration Resources

LGBTQ+ Information and Resources

JRI and William James College

Photos from Protests and Other Events

 

Celebrating Black Life History Culture

"Black history is made every day, and we all should remember that year-round." - NAACP

Here are some articles to learn more:

New York Times: Do We Ask Too Much of Black Heroes? and These Images Tell the Stories of American Blackness

PBS: 13 Children's Books with Strong Black Characters and Teaching Your Child About Black History

Huffpost: PROTECT BLACK WOMEN ISN'T just a SLOGAN. It requires real work. and Emmett Till's Chicago House Gets Landmark Status

Check out the full list put out by the Department of Health here. Second section has many Black History Month articles.

We have not been waiting for change--we have been working for it.

 

Upcoming Protests and Events

Know Your Rights: Demonstrations and Protests  Know Your Rights: Demonstrations and Protests

Ongoing

May

  • 14th 
    • Join the Caring Force for a virtual rally on fair and comparable pay. Let legislators know how important your work is and why reimbursement rates need to be updated!

Take Action! It's time, this is our moment!

  • Pay disparities between state and private human service employees is growing. Even after Chapter 257 of the Acts of 2008 mandated updated reimbursement rates, the state is approximately 10 years behind schedule. Take just 1 minute to send a pre-written letter to legislators in your area urging them to support fair pay legislation.

COVID-19 and Vaccination Information

Learn about the COVID-19 vaccine from a conversation with Dr. Fauci & Mayor Marty Walsh, led by Rev. Liz Walker and Rev. Gloria-White Hammond. Here's the link!

Check out the official Mass.gov web page for information on the vaccine and when it will be available!

Here is the list of benefits of the vaccine as laid out by the CDC!

Read how black doctors are trying to raise awareness for the importance of vaccinations. Link Here

Check out the Massachusetts Home Visiting Initiative weekly digest for a comprehensive list of resources for parents, providers, agencies, and everyone in between. Click here to download the pdf.

Legislation Supported by JRI

Massachusetts

You can find contact info for your state legislator here: And then call or email to ask that they support legislation.

Additionally, here are the committee assignments for the House and Senate in Massachusetts. 

General Social Justice

  • Check out some legislative priorities addressing equity, inclusion, learning gaps, and much more in Connecticut! Read it in "The Day" here.
  • An Act Relative to Accountability For Vulnerable Children and Families (HD.3129, Khan) and (S.32, Lovely) This bill would require DCF to include data on sexual orientation and gender identity in their demographics to provide better support for LGBTQ+ youth. Learn more information here, provided by Citizens for Juvenile Justice and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD).
  • Lift Kids Out of Deep Poverty, (HD.1158, Decker) and (SD.430, DiDomenico).  These bills will raise cash assistance grants in Massachusetts by 10% per year until they reach 50% of the federal poverty level.  Current grant levels are woefully inadequate - for example, the maximum for a family of 3 is only $593 per month.  This leaves families struggling to meet their children's most basic needs, like housing, food and diapers.
  • Check out the list of legislative priorities put out by the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health here!
  • Ask your legislators to support increased lead agency funding. This ask would set the budget line item back to the previous amount before the recession hit in 2008. Check out more about the ask here!

Juvenile Justice

  • An Act Improving Juvenile Justice Data Collection (HD.1957, Miranda) and (SD.799, Creem)
  • An Act Relative to Judicial Supervision to Promote Child Well-Being (HD.3768, Oakley) and (SD.1878, Creem)
  • An Act Clarifying Consent Laws for Adolescents (HD.1998, Lewis & Fernandes) and (SD.1379, Rausch)
  • An Act Relative to Safer Schools (HD.3090, Khan) and (SD.2043, Chandler)
  • An Act to Prioritize Violence Prevention and Social Emotional Health in School Support Staff Hiring (SD.180, Chang-Diaz)
  • An Act Relative to the Location of School Resource Officers (HD.2534, Sabadosa)
  • An Act to Promote the Education Success of Court Involved Children (HD.1335, Meschino) and (SD.1495, Jehlen)
  • An Act to Promote Public Safety and Better Outcomes for Young Adults (HD.1432, O'Day & Khan) and (SD.697, Boncore)
  • An Act Relative to Expungement of Juvenile and Young Adult Records (HD.2315, Decker & Khan) and (SD.1355, Creem)
  • An Act Relative to Juveniles Accused of Sex Offenses (SD.1352, Brownsberger)
  • An Act to Prevent the Imposition of mandatory Minimum Sentences Based on Juvenile Adjudications (HD.1956, Miranda) and (SD.138, Eldridge)
  • Raise the Age of Youthful Offender and Adult Prosecution from 14 to 16
  • "Second Look" for Youth Sentenced for Offenses Committed Before Age 18
  • Limit Maximum Length of Pre-Trial Detention for Youth Held Under A Dangerousness Hearing
  • An Act Protecting Youth During Custodial Interrogations (SD.1721, Creem)
  • An Act Providing Easier and Greater Access to Record Sealing (SD.1642, Friedman)
  • An Act Providing for Certificates of Rehabilitation, Second Chances, Increased Success, and Community Prosperity (SD.667, Brownsberger)

Human Services Providers

  • An Act Establishing a Loan Repayment Program for Direct Care Human Service Workers (SD.1630, Lesser) and (HD.1257, Roy) - Take Action Above!
  • An Act Relative to Fair Pay for Comparable Work (SD.588, Friedman) and (HD.1400, Khan) - Take Action Above!

Individuals with Disabilities

  • An Act Relative to Strengthening Background Checks (SD.1062)
  • An Act Relative to Assure Opportunities for All Students with Disabilities (HD.79)
  • An Act Relative to Licensing Group Care Facilities Serving Students with Special Needs (HD.1183)
  • An Act to Create a Facilities Loan Program for Private Special education Schools (SD.743)

Ten point plan to combat systemic racism  Elected officials of color developed a 10 point plan to combat systemic racism in policing and police brutality.

Reform, Shift + Build Act, released by the Senate.  This race equity and policing bill expands the eligibility for expungement.  Here's more information on the expungement law.

Rhode Island

You can find contact info for your state legislator here: And then call or email to ask that they support legislation.

  • Judge McConnell orders Rhode Island to improve provider pay starting in FY2022. See the order here!

 

School Resource Officer Research:

All available evidence does not support the argument that police in schools make them safer; their presence is instead tied to increased arrest, disproportionately targeting students of color, for low-level offenses. The presence of and interactions with police in schools have a negative impact on students' academic achievement and mental health, and creates an environment of fear and distrust; School police are NOT counselors: students do not have any confidentiality protections in dealings with school police as they do with counselors and mental health professionals.

Police presence in schools is detrimental for students, new study finds

Check out the new media kit around School Resource Officers (SRO's) and the research that shows their ineffectiveness in school settings. The report was created by Citizens for Juvenile Justice and Strategies for Youth to highlight the disparities when it comes to treatment of white students and students of color as well as other downfalls of policing in schools.

 

Racial Justice Resources

Letters for Black Lives: an open letter project on anti-blackness (a set of crowdsourced, multilingual, and culturally-aware resources aimed at creating a space for open and honest conversations about racial justice, police violence, and anti-Blackness in our families and communities)

Harvard Business Review: Woke-Washing Your Company Won't Cut It 

Huffington Post: Disconnect Between How White People and People of Color View Allyship in the Workplace

The Atlantic:  Anti-Racism Books Are a Means Not an End

Learn more about the candidates for US Senate and how they responded to questions about Justice System Reform.

As Massachusetts Reopens, Data Shows People of Color Face Greater Risk From COVID-19.

Guest Commentary in Lexington: All Black Lives Matter by Together We Rise Group

Essay from Rep. John Lewis written before his death to be released on the day of his funeral.

Listen to JRI's podcast episode about our response to COVID-19 and racial injustices.

MetroWest Health Foundation releases report, "Racism and Public Health: A Connection Rooted in Structural Inequities".  Clear data and straightforward conclusions from a community organization working with Metro West communities to address racial disparities in healthcare.

Framingham, the ball’s in your court’: 9-year fight for justice continues for Eurie Stamps, Sr., 68-year-old grandfather killed by policeman in 2011

This op-ed was written by Dr. Jeannette Callahan from JRI’s DYS division.  She uses her perspective as a pediatrician to advocate for changing the laws around qualified immunity for the police. Check it out here!

Check out the Federal Juvenile Justice Networks updates for the month of January 2021 here!

Waltham Residents Urge City to Remove Columbus Memorial. JRI supports Indigenous People's Day! Check out this article in The Patch.

Immigration Resources

Information About the New "Public Charge" Rule

The new “public charge” rule is now in effect in all states except New York, Vermont and Connecticut. For more information about the public charge rule please visit the Protecting Immigrant Families website. Links to additional resources are provided below.

Here are some important things to know:

1. Many immigrant groups are not subject to the “public charge” test including: Lawful Permanent Residents, asylum seekers, refugees, TPS, DACA renewals, U or T Visas, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.

2. Some benefits are not considered in determining whether someone is likely to become a “public charge” including: Medicaid for children under 21 years old, pregnant women, and new mothers.

For specific information about how the new “public charge” rule may affect you, consult an immigration attorney.

Additional Resources:

Immigrant Eligibility for Public Programs During COVID-19

Elegibilidad de Inmigrantes Para Programas Públicos

Protecting Immigrant Families Resources

Protecting Immigrant Families Digital Media Toolkit

Know Your Rights: What to do if you’re stopped by police, immigration agents, or the FBI Know your rights (English)

Conozca sus derechos: parado/a por la policia, agentes de inmigracios o el FBI Know your rights (Spanish) 

Immigrant Raid Resources:

CLASP Immigration Raid Resources
National Immigration Law Center How to Be Prepared for an Immigration Raid
National Immigrant Justice Center Community Resources
United We Dream Know Your Power, Know Your Rights

Donate

Cosecha: Advocacy group requesting fund to continue the fight for DACA students. Support the Fight Financially. 
United We Dream Network
DRUM - Desis Rising Up & Moving
Define American
Student Immigrant Movement - local Boston organization for undocumented students 
Centro Presente 
Chelsea Collaborative
Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)
RAICES

LGBTQ+ Information and Resources

LGBTQ Organizations Call for Swift Response to Address Devastating Prison Conditions. Read the full letter in response to the U.S. Department of Justice report on living conditions for incarcerated individuals.

Mental Health Information, Resources for Persons with Disabilities, and other Social Justice Issues

The New York Times: People with Disabilities Make Up 20 Percent of the Population Yet They're Still Invisible

Equity Matters: Mental Health - Switching the Focus from Access to Re-thinking the Delivery System - a blog post from MetroWest Health Foundation

The Lily: Mom Bias is Real and No Industry is Immune to It

JRI and William James College

JRI and William James College have partnered to expand and develop the ‘pipeline’ of candidates that reflect the diversity and lived experience of the communities we serve. With William James, and with other colleges and universities, we have found partners that share our social justice mission, our commitment to racial equity, and our dedication to culturally competent services. A very important part of this effort is to substantially reduce the cost of education. By helping student/employees to avoid crippling college debt, many of these new partnerships alongside JRI are making careers in nonprofit work more attractive to a broader and more diverse base of individuals.” - Andy Pond, CEO of JRI

Learn more about our partnership with William James College.

Photos from Protests and Events

Women's MarchProtest

 

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