Community Engagement
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I call to share I am homeless and need help?
If you lost your house due to eviction, fire, or lost your job and are looking to make sure your children have a safe and stable experience in school. Share your experience with the school Principal or the FACE Office at (401) 456-0686 and ask for help and guidance.
What do I do if I need to register my child in Providence coming from another district in RI or outside the state BUT I am living temporarily at a shelter or with another family?
Our Student Registration and Placement Center is ready to enroll your child. www.providenceschools.org/registration
All districts involved with the family must work together to provide the support they need to enroll immediately when and if the family finds temporary housing. Required documents at time of enrollment are requested with the understanding if the family does not have the documents at time of enrollment they will be enrolled while waiting for documents to arrive. Shelters will provide families with a letter that confirms they are living at their location. If the family finds shelter with another family, an enrollment form verifying address will be requested to be completed.
Where can I get school supplies if I don’t have any or can’t afford to provide for my child?
Share your concern with your child’s teacher or school Principal. Schools are very generous and often receive donations from school staff or outside agencies. You can also reach out to the FACE Office at (401) 456-0686. The office has limited supplies available throughout the year.Even though my family and I are living in a temporary housing situation can my children participate in school field trips or afterschool programs?
Yes. All students regardless of a temporary housing situation have the right to participate in any and all school programs and activities. Special accommodations may be offered to student’s case by case such as not requiring fees to be paid due to the family’s temporary housing circumstances. Always reach out to your child’s teacher or school Principal with any questions or supports.
Am I automatically eligible for student transportation if I am homeless?
No, students are eligible for transportation based on the distance between school and home and depending on whether they are elementary, middle or high school students.
Elementary school students must live at least one mile from their school and middle school students must live at least 1.5 miles from their school to be eligible for school bus transportation.
High school students are eligible for a RIPTA monthly pass when they live two or more miles from the home address.
Regardless of the grade, students enrolled in Providence but living temporarily outside the City of Providence with another family are eligible for a RIPTA bus pass or yellow bus. Special circumstances will be considered case by case; such as a student with a medical or health related condition, accommodations under 504 Plan or required in the students’ IEP. Parents facing homelessness have the right to keep their child at their current school of origin if they need to find shelter or live outside the school districts town. The homeless liaison will assist with arranging transportation in those circumstances.
Will my homeless status stay confidential?
Yes, your personal circumstance must and will remain confidential. However, please be advised, when you disclose the information to a school staff member the school Principal will be notified as resources that become available are often times shared with them first.
* For more information or if you or a family you know is living temporarily with another family, shelter, hotel, mobile home or in a car or street call the Family and Community Engagement Office for assistance at 401-456-0686.
Resources
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Social Services
Community Action Partnership
PROCAP, BVCAP, Westbay Community Action
The organization operates, promotes and supports the development of human service programs aimed at improving the lives of low-to-moderate income individuals and families living in Providence County.Services:
Food bank
Energy Assistance
Education and Job training
CAPP Main Phone: (401) 273-2000Blackstone Valley CAPP – Contact Info:
Main Office: (401) 723-4520
Heating Assistance: (401) 723-0227Legal Services
Rhode Island Legal Services provides high quality legal assistance and representation to low-income individuals and eligible client groups for the purpose of improving their economic condition and overall wellbeing by protecting and enforcing legal rights, stabilizing the family unit and communities where clients live, promoting self-reliance, ending domestic violence, preventing homelessness, affording dignity to all people, and reaching out to groups with added burdens on their ability to access the civil justice system.
(401) 732-4660Furniture Bank
The Furniture Bank of Rhode Island is a non-profit organization that provides free and affordable home furnishings to low-income families.Address: 70 Ernest St, Providence, RI 02905
Phone: (401) 831-5511United Way of RI 211
Provides information on social services in Rhode Island. https://www.uwri.org/2-1-1/PVD311
Providence city departments and services. You can also call by dialing 3-1-1 or download “PVD311” on your smart phone for 24/7 access.Rhode Island Department of Human Services (RIDHS)
Provide supportive services for children, family, and youth Executive Office, Louis Pasteur Building
25 Howard Avenue
Cranston, Rhode Island 02920
(401) 462-2121; http://www.dhs.ri.gov/DHSOffices/index.php. -
Housing
Crossroads Rhode Island
Leading homeless services organization in the state.
https://www.crossroadsri.org/.
House of Hope CDC
Home to Hope (H2-H) responds to homelessness and housing instability for youth and young adults (ages 13-24) who are victims of violence, with an intentional focus on LGBTQ youth. Long term goals include housing and supportive services which allow youth to thrive and live independently. Emergency Shelter 401-277-4316 OR for resources 401-463-3324 x203.
thehouseofhopecdc.orgHousingWorksRI
Advocates for housing affordability, policy and access.
HousingWorks RI at Roger Williams University, Suite 545, 1 Empire Plaza, Providence, RI 02903. (401) 276-4806; https://www.housingworksri.org/.
Providence Housing Authority (PHA)
Provides housing and services, Section 8 programs specifically serving low income families as well as Elderly and the disabled.
100 Broad St, Providence, RI 02903. (401) 751-6400. https://provhousing.org.
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Food Pantries
Download the Rhode Island Community Food Bank Food Assistance List >
Rhode Island Community Food Bank
200 Niantic Avenue
Providence, RI 02907
(401) 942-6325Federal Hill House - Food Pantry and Social Services
35 Swiss Street
Providence, RI 02909
(401) 421-1095263 Chad Brown Street
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 413-1077Federal Hill House - Olneyville Food Center
261 Manton Avenue
(Corner of Pope St.)
Providence, RI 02909
(401) 714-005795 Hathaway Ctr #61
Providence, RI 02907
(401) 965-1854627 Cranston Street
Providence, RI 02907
(401) 274-8861Holy Ghost Church - Providence
472 Atwells Avenue
Providence, RI 02909
(401) 421-355115 Hayes Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 454-7422The Salvation Army - Providence Corps
386 Broad Street
Providence, RI 02907
(401) 831-1119 -
Clothing
The Salvation Army
386 Broad Street,
Providence, RI 02905
(401) 831-1119Camp Street Community Ministries
194 Camp Street
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 421-5474Christian Churches, Thanksgiving Baskets, Holiday Gifts/Toys, Clothing, Food Pantries
Clothes to Kids RI
Provide new and quality used clothing to low-income or in-crisis, school-age children in Providence County, Rhode Island—free of charge.*Call for an appointment.
77 Reservoir Ave #5
Providence, RI 02907
(401) 941-8050
https://clothestokidsri.org/.HeadsUp
Personal/Grooming Supplies, clothing
134 Mathewson Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 331-1069 -
Health
Providence Community Health Center
Providing regular check-ups, respite area, dental care, OB/GYN services, medication prescriptions and mental health counseling. To make an appointment with the Providence Community Health Center at 160 Broad Street call (401) 861-2403.
Rhode Department of Health (RIDOH) - www.health.ri.gov
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Homeless Advocacy
Crossroads Coordinated Entry
Coordinated Entry is a standardized assessment and referral process that helps rapidly end each household's homelessness by connecting them with appropriate shelter, housing and resources as quickly as possible. Call if you are or at risk of becoming homeless. (401) 277-4316
Statewide Homeless Liaisons
Contact list for all school district Homeless Liaisons in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless
Works to prevent and end homelessness
National Coalition for the Homeless
National network of people working to end and prevent homelessness while ensuring the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness are met and their civil rights are respected and protected.
National Center for Homeless Education
U.S. Department of Education’s technical assistance center for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program.
Warning signs of homelessness: http://center.serve.org/nche/nche/warning.html
http://nche.ed.gov; Helpline: 800-308-2145 or homeless@serve.org
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
National Center on Family Homelessness “Understanding Traumatic Stress in Children” http://www.air.org/resource/understanding-traumatic-stress-children
SchoolHouse Connection
http://www.schoolhouseconnection.org/
https://www.facebook.com/SchoolHouseConnection/
National Network for Youth