Upper/Lower South Providence/Elmwood and West End will pilot children's initiative; Hartford/Olneyville to follow.
The Upper/Lower South Providence/Elmwood community and the West End community were selected today as the first two Providence neighborhoods to join Evidence2Success - a new initiative designed to promote children's health and development by investing in proven programs led by the Providence Children and Youth Cabinet.
The two neighborhoods that will pilot the Evidence2Success initiative were randomly selected from among three neighborhoods where schools and public systems are focusing resources to help more young people reach their full potential. A third community, Hartford/Olneyville, will join Evidence2Success following the pilot phase of the initiative.
"We are pleased to partner with Upper/Lower South Providence/Elmwood and the West End to ensure that our schools and public agencies continue to respond to the changing needs of our young people," said Mayor Angel Taveras.
"The participation of these two communities in Evidence2Success is a tremendous opportunity for all of us," said Providence Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Lusi. "We know that the needs of our students extend well beyond the supports that we can provide in the confines of a school day, and this meaningful partnership will combine numerous community resources and efforts to support our youth."
In the next few months, each neighborhood will form a partnership of leaders, residents, business owners, faith leaders, and public agency and school professionals who serve their respective communities. Together, those community partnerships will work with the Children and Youth Cabinet to review data that shows how youth are doing across many areas of influence in their lives and to help select and implement programs proven to help young people reach their full potential.
"I am excited that these neighborhoods have been selected to pilot Evidence2Success. This is a critical time to work together focusing our resources and collaboration for the benefit of our children and families," said Senator Juan Pichardo.
Earlier this year, Providence became the first city to partner with the Annie E. Casey Foundation on Evidence2Success. The work will continue to be led by the Children and Youth Cabinet and by the Evidence2Success Workgroup tri-chairs: Superintendent Lusi, Dr. Janice DeFrances of the Rhode Island Department of Children Youth and Families, and Margaret Holland-McDuff of Family Service of Rhode Island.