JRI, a nonprofit provider of trauma-informed care to children and families in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, has announced the addition of Maria Carolina (Caro) Ruiz of Boston to its Board of Trustees.
The Gloucester Health Department has launched a new, free program to help members of the public navigate the mental health care system.
Children's Friend and Family Services, a division of JRI, will be offering free access to one of its representatives for community members to contact for help when seeking mental health care.
The program is open to anyone from Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Essex, Ipswich, Beverly or Danvers who is seeking support navigating the mental health system.
Michelle Loranger, Executive Director at the Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County wrote this op-ed with an important message about child abuse during the pandemic. A surge of child abuse cases is expected once children start to engage with mandated reporters.
THOMPSON, Conn. — Dr. Tina Mannarino, an educational leader who has spent most of her career working on behalf of children with special needs, has been named Director of Education at River Run Academy at the Susan Wayne Center of Excellence, a school of Justice Resource Institute (JRI).
Dear colleagues and allies:
These are difficult and challenging times for all of us, as we adapt to this unprecedented crisis. The virus itself does not discriminate—we are all vulnerable to it. But the impact of COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting communities of color, poor people, the homeless, and those living with disabilities.
You may ask: How can I help?
Certainly you can make sure that your local legislator knows how hard we are working, and how much we need PPE supplies. If you have the ability to make masks, we will take all you can supply. But I will tell you the thing that may help the most—letting the staff who are working with your loved one know how much you appreciate the level of commitment, caring and personal sacrifice they are making. Like each of you, they are facing their own stress at home—and yet have chosen to dedicate themselves to those in need.
JRI employees are taking on extra duties to support their clients and coworkers during the COVID-19 outbreak.
To the extended JRI community:
Our entire agency has rallied around the programs where the greatest stress has been: 24-7 settings for kids and adults. Community based programs have “adopted” their residential counterparts and are sending support, both material and spiritual.
Community-based and day school programs have embraced remote learning and telehealth, doing our best to continue to support students, families, and adults in need.
Earlier today, Andy Pond asked JRI employees who are currently working from home to consider volunteering to pick up and deliver supplies to our central locations and our congregate care programs.
As everyone knows, the situation re: COVID-19 has been changing daily, sometimes hourly. And it is a time of great anxiety for all of us, no matter if we are parents, counselors, clinicians, or leaders. But at JRI, we have a tremendous team of managers, clinicians, teachers and counselors who are working flat out to ensure continuity of care.
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.
