Providence, R.I. – Children’s Friend, a statewide child‑welfare nonprofit, announced Thursday that it has been awarded a $430,000 federal grant to strengthen mental‑health services for children ages three to five. The funding, secured with the support of U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, will enable the organization to nearly double its behavioral‑health staffing and expand critical early‑intervention programs.
Grant aims to boost early mental‑health support
According to Sen. Whitehouse, the money will be used to increase mental‑health assessments, grow clinical capacity, provide therapeutic classroom visits, and deliver staff training for both educators and families. “These early interventions really pay off, they really matter, and I can’t think of anybody who has more confidence to make that work than Children’s Friend,” Whitehouse said at the celebration.
Expanded services across three cities
Children’s Friend currently serves children at 11 Head Start, pre‑kindergarten and child‑care sites in Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls. With the new grant, the nonprofit plans to add more behavioral‑health specialists, allowing for more frequent and comprehensive mental‑health screenings and follow‑up care.
Focus on training and family involvement
Hafida Zerouali, the organization’s mental‑health and disabilities manager, highlighted the importance of training. “With the generous support, our therapeutic classroom will really enhance this support with mental health that we already have in place, but we obviously want to invest more in,” Zerouali said. She added that the grant will fund mental‑health training for teachers, behavioral‑support specialists, and will provide additional resources for families.
Why early intervention matters
Research consistently shows that addressing mental‑health needs in the preschool years can improve academic outcomes, reduce future behavioral problems, and strengthen family stability. By expanding services now, Children’s Friend aims to lay a stronger foundation for the state’s youngest residents.
Community response
Local parents and educators welcomed the announcement, noting that many families have struggled to access timely mental‑health care. “Having more specialists in our schools means we can catch issues early and support our kids before they become bigger challenges,” said a Providence preschool teacher who asked to remain anonymous.
Looking ahead
The nonprofit plans to monitor the impact of the expanded services throughout the upcoming school year, reporting outcomes to both state and federal partners. The grant represents a significant investment in the well‑being of Rhode Island’s children and underscores the importance of federal‑state collaboration in supporting early childhood mental health.
Original reporting: NBC 10 WJAR (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
