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Dear Friends,
This summer has marked a new chapter for Justice Assistance. Following the dedication of JA Health & Wellness to Barbara Papitto and John A. Tarantino in June, we joined with the Brown University School of Public Health to host Bridging Community & Justice: Partnerships to Transform Health Access.
The conference reflected the spirit of JA Health & Wellness: improving outcomes for justice-involved individuals requires us to work across traditional boundaries. While healthcare, criminal justice, and community organizations each bring essential knowledge and resources, our greatest impact comes when we bring those strengths together and listen closely to the people most affected by these systems. Our Clinical Director, Fran DaLomba, LICSW, captured the spirit of the day and the sense of possibility it created in her reflection below.
Lastly, I am also pleased to share that M. Barton Laws, Ph.D., our principal program evaluator from the Brown University School of Public Health, is featured in the next issue of Free Inquiry. His cover story, “Crime and Punishment,” brings an empirical perspective to public discussions about our understanding of criminal justice and the forces that shape public policy.
Many thanks,
Jake Bissaillon
CEO
Justice Assistance
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Bridging Community & Justice:
Developing a More Just Rhode Island
More than 140 community leaders, healthcare professionals, educators, advocates, and service providers registered for Bridging Community & Justice: Partnerships to Transform Health Access, creating a dynamic forum for learning, connection, and collaboration. Representing organizations across healthcare, behavioral health, criminal justice, higher education, and community organizations, attendees came together with a shared goal: identifying innovative ways to reduce barriers to care and improve health outcomes for individuals and communities.
The day commenced with a keynote address from Dr. Glenn Tucker, Medical Director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. Throughout his presentation, Dr. Tucker challenged attendees to think beyond traditional systems and consider how strong partnerships between healthcare providers, justice systems, and community organizations can help create more equitable pathways to care. His message set the tone for a day focused on collaboration, innovation, and action.
Throughout the conference, participants engaged in insightful panel discussions, interactive conversations, and presentations highlighting both evidence-based practices and real-world experiences. A particularly powerful aspect of the event was hearing from individuals who shared their lived experiences, offering perspectives that deepened understanding and reinforced the importance of person-centered approaches. These voices served as a reminder that meaningful change occurs when professional expertise is combined with the wisdom and experiences of those most directly impacted by the systems we seek to improve.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to this important dialogue. The ideas, relationships, and momentum generated throughout the day will continue to inform our work as we move forward. We look forward to building on these conversations, strengthening partnerships, and turning shared inspiration into meaningful action in the months ahead.
Read a personal reflection about the conference from JA Health & Wellness Clinical Director Fran DaLomba, LICSW here.
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Building our Hospitality Workforce
This Wednesday, our organization embarked on an exciting new journey by launching additional job support training opportunities for our clients. Through our partnership with RI Hospitality, our Employment and Education Specialist is helping participants develop the essential soft skills needed to succeed in the hospitality industry.
Using a restaurant setting as a learning framework, clients are building valuable workplace skills such as time management, customer service, communication, and problem-solving. Upon completing the six-session program, participants will have the opportunity to interview for careers within the hospitality industry.
This program will continue to be offered quarterly. Be on the lookout for our next session this fall.
We are also excited to announce our first Community Night, which will take place in August at our main office in Cranston. This event will provide clients with an opportunity to participate in therapeutic activities, connect with peers, and strengthen their sense of community through our programs.
More details will be shared soon.
CLICK HERE to Register for Any JA Program Highlighted Below!
| | Expanding Access to Dental Care This Summer! | | |
Through CareLink Mobile Dentistry, licensed dental professionals provide on-site services at JA Health & Wellness. These services include oral health assessments, cleanings and polishing, fluoride treatment, and other preventive supports.
Our new partnership with CareLink reflects the broader purpose of JA Health & Wellness: bringing practical, compassionate, and barrier-aware care directly to the people we serve. Oral health is closely connected to overall health, behavioral health, self-confidence, employability, and long-term stability, and these clinic days will help ensure that more Rhode Islanders can access care in a trusted, community-based setting.
Dental clinics will be held once a month over the summer on the following days:
Registration is open for the final summer clinic. Fall dates will be released in the coming weeks.
Register yourself or a client here.
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Health & Wellness - Accepting New Patients!
JA Health & Wellness is accepting new patients for primary care and behavioral health services. Our team of licensed medical professionals are ready to provide compassionate, informed primary care for individuals who have been involved with the justice system.
To ease the referral process we have created an additional referral pathway. We have designed a referral pad that can be utilized by a clinician, case manager, probation officer, or any other support person to refer your client for any of our clinic services. If you are interested in receiving one of these pads please reply to this newsletter.
You may also fill out our Organization Referral Form or call (401) 781-0537 to speak with our Patient Care Specialist to schedule an appointment.
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Now Open! Our Rental Application for Smith Hill Homes
Justice Assistance proudly operates 33 units of affordable housing in the Smith Hill neighborhood of Providence. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as units become available. By becoming a JA tenant, you gain full access to our comprehensive network of support services, including JA Health & Wellness and CORES. Our goal is to provide not just housing, but a stable foundation for health, wellbeing, and long‑term success.
Click here for the application.
Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee placement in a unit. Upon completion, applicants will be added to the property waitlist. As units become available, Stonelink will review the waitlist and contact eligible applicants accordingly.
If you need assistance with completing the application please contact our Community Health Worker, Monique, at MHarris@justiceassistance.org.
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