For a child who has suffered long-term trauma from abuse or neglect, the world doesn’t feel like a safe place. And children who suffer from such complex trauma often face challenges when it comes to forming relationships with others, acting out with anger or suffering silently from depression.
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County, which has helped more than 7,000 children who have suffered sexual abuse or neglect since its founding in 2007, is under new leadership.
The CAC, a program operated by Justice Resource Institute and which receives more than 700 referrals annually, is being led by co-directors Cathy Rutkowski and Lara Stone.
Children's Friend and Family Services has been dropping off "activity boxes" every week to about 40 homes in Essex County as part of a new program called Discovery Within. The boxes are filled with items designed to encourage activities such as drawing, writing, gardening and baking by the children, who range in age from 9 to 18 and are enrolled with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.
Episode 5 -The COVID-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests sweeping across the United States have especially affected black and Hispanic populations, adding emotional trauma to individuals and families.
Dr. Kerry-Ann Williams, a psychiatrist who is the medical director for the children’s residential programs operated by Justice Resource Institute (JRI), was interviewed on “Justice In Action,” a podcast series by JRI. She often works with children who have been traumatized by physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
Episode 4 - Please note, this podcast was recorded in February 2020
Most would agree that we live in a sex-saturated culture. So why do we find it so hard to talk about sex?
Deborah Jackson, Clinical Training and Developmental Specialist for JRI, trains clinicians and staff to handle sexualized behavior that young clients are exhibiting (or thinking about exhibiting).
As the current pandemic continues, medical centers are reporting a significant increase in suicide attempts. Check out this op-ed in the Cape Cod Times by Tara Sagor and Erica Krist.
Episode 3 - **This podcast was recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At least one in five teen-agers will get a sexually explicit photo this year — most of those images sent to them via texts, emails and smart phone applications. Many of those images will come from people they know, but some will be from people they meet online through social networking applications that make it easy for users to share photos and videos.
JRI Health will receive nearly $1 million from the federal government to support its work to help Suffolk County youth who are at risk of substance abuse and HIV/AIDS.
The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will grant JRI Health nearly $200,000 a year for five years for the JRI Positive Pathways Project.
Justice Resource Institute President and CEO Andy Pond discusses his organization’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests sweeping the nation as part of JRI’s podcast series “Justice In Action.”
Dear Colleagues,
Do you have a question about JRI services?
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.
