More people need assistance than ever before and #MiddletownRI and Newport emergency and social service providers will be joining forces around the "Situation Table" to get the help they need through the new collaboration.
“SITUATION TABLE” TO ASSIST THOSE MOST IN NEED
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (DECEMBER 23, 2024) – A new partnership is forming between Middletown and Newport to help those most in need.
Known as the Situation Table, the aim of the initiative between area emergency and social service providers in both communities is to get assistance to people before they “slip through the cracks.”
Under the new arrangement, Middletown and Newport officials will meet confidentially twice monthly with community service providers to proactively identify those who need additional supports instead of always making critical decisions during crisis situations.
The Newport City Council approved the concept on Dec. 11, with the Middletown Town Council adopting the idea Monday night. The new program was expected to be to launch in early 2025.
“This is a great idea,” said Middletown Town Council Vice President Thomas Welch III, a retired Newport firefighter. “I wish we had thought of this 20 years ago.”
By most measures, emergency and social service providers nationwide say more people are struggling, whether it’s finding suitable housing, mental health issues, substance abuse problems or a raft of other issues.
It’s no different on Aquidneck Island, local leaders said.
Introducing the item to the council, Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown described a situation with a man in crisis last summer who planned on camping along Coddington Highway.
Brown said after the town was made aware of the situation, the man was provided safe, secure lodging at a local motel through the work of Healthy Communities Coordinator Lori Turner and Public Works Director Robert Hanley.
But Brown said the incident brought to light the need for the town to have more supports that were more readily available.
That sparked the conversation about what the town could do to better care for those who need help. And because there’s so much crossover and repeat calls for assistance between the communities, Middletown and Newport officials agreed it made sense to work together.
In a memo to the council, Brown noted similar initiatives have returned positive results in Chelsea, Massachusetts, as well as Corvallis, Oregon, Calgary, Canada and other locations. The Situation Table relies on an evidenced-based model of community safety and well-being.
In addition to providing improved services with less duplication, Brown said the Situation Table would help build even stronger bonds between both communities.
Each municipality was providing about $12,600 to cover the cost of implementing the program as well as training and related expenses.
To view Brown’s memo to the council, visit https://www.middletownri.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17310/Situation-Table-Memorandum online.
“I’m really proud of our work here,” Brown said. “Everyone needs a little help sometimes and to know Middletown and Newport are working together with our community partners to provide that assistance is what it’s all about.”
Turner said Newport Fire Chief Harp Donnelly will serve as the head of the Situation Table. Middletown’s lead will be Turner.
She said Newport Hospital, Newport Mental Health, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, the East Bay Community Action Program and the Rhode Island Coalition To End Homelessness were key organizations that have said they’ll participate with the Situation Table.
Turner, Interim Fire Chief Robert McCall and Police Chief Jason Ryan said they had high hopes for the Situation Table.
“I'm grateful for the Town of Middletown, City of Newport and community providers who are committed to working together to support the best possible outcomes for our residents,” Turner said. “Our Middletown Fire and Police Departments do a tremendous job every day and often are the ones to respond to individuals in need. The Situation Table will be an option for follow-up for those complex calls in need of social service support.”
“If you look at the numbers and experiences of other communities that have installed this model, it works,” McCall said. “We get all sorts of calls every day and we’re here to help as much as we can and always will be. Saying that, the more we can do proactively before it gets to us on a crisis level, the better it is for our residents and everyone.”
“The Situation Table is an amazing concept that brings multiple stakeholders together for one common purpose,” Ryan said. “It reduces agencies' duplicating work and resolves a situation quicker and more efficiently. The ultimate outcome is to provide resources and help those people in need, and that is what the table is all about.”
Like Brown, Turner said she’s been impressed with everyone’s willingness to pull together for what was right. For more about Middletown’s existing community services, visit https://mdl.town/Services online.
“Together, we've been discussing this concept with community partners and with the City of Newport for over a year,” Turner said. “I'm very excited to see this project move forward. I truly believe utilizing this model and prioritizing meeting together to discuss situations will only have a positive impact on the community and our residents.”
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-Table
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
Media Contact
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401-842-6543
msheley@middletownri.com