FOCUS ON CHILDREN Abel Ortiz of the Annie E. Casey Foundation Tuesday announces Providence will be the pilot for its Evidence2Success program. He is joined by (from left) Providence School Supt. Susan Lusi, Mayor Angel Taveras and Gov. Lincoln Chafee. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

Providence to serve as pilot to help at-risk children

Download this show

Listen

Posted: 7/31/2012 1:27:07 PM
Updated: 7/31/2012 1:37:10 PM

A program aimed at helping at-risk children is being started in Providence, with a boost from a national group that studies problems that affect childhood outcomes. 

The Annie E. Casey Foundation, well known for its "Kids Count" data book issued just last week, is launching a partnership in Providence to adopt what it calls evidence-based programs in a program called Evidence2Success.  A $300,000 grant from the Foundation will begin the pilot program in Providence and another Rhode Island city that has yet to be determined.

Governor Lincoln Chafee praised the effort by the Foundation.

"This is another example of the good work they're going to do in a very challenging environment, urban schools," said Chafee.

Providence Superintendent of Schools Susan Lusi said the focus on at-risk children combines the efforts of government and private agencies.

"This is a way of helping us identify the issue facing that child and that family, and then linking them to a provider or services that would help them," Lusi said.

More, with WPRO's Steve Klamkin

Steve Klamkin | WPRO News