01/09/06 Agency joins Center in Westerly, Rhode Island. Family Service of Rhode Island is joining the array of student and family support initiatives at the Westerly Integrated Social Services Program (WISSP), a Rhode Island Child Opportunity Zone (COZ), at Westerly High School. “Research increasingly identifies that learning difficulties, poor attendance, and behavior problems may stem from unmet social/emotional issues. The inclusion of Family Service of Rhode Island as another WISSP partner adds to the continuum of easily accessible treatment options available for students and families,” said WISSP coordinator Sally Mitchell.  She noted that WISSP’s mission is to provide students and families health, education and community services by bringing regional resources into the school.  “With the addition of Family Service of Rhode Island we’ll heighten our efforts to accomplish that mission as we continuously strive to cultivate a safe and orderly environment conducive to learning.”  The WISSP Center is designed to offer therapy and other supports at a location that enhances communication between home and school.  The center is primarily funded by a combination of state grants and collaborative partnerships.  Some services are offered at no or low cost and some are arranged between partner organizations and families’ private insurance.   Family Service of Rhode Island is one of the oldest and largest non-profit behavioral, health, education and human service agencies in the state.  Two years ago, the agency opened a North Kingstown office, its first in Washington County. “Our goal in South County is to help fill gaps in services,” said Margaret Holland McDuff, Family Service of Rhode Island CEO.  “Our North Kingstown office was a first step.  Becoming a partner in WISSP will increase the availability of services to Westerly residents.” Mental health professionals will be in the WISSP offices 15 hours a week, providing counseling two days per week and psychiatric care one day per week during and after school. The services may be accessed through the WISSP Center at 596-6856 or by calling Family Service of Rhode Island at 294-6138 X3162. WISSP partners include South County Community Action, Department of Children, Youth and Families Juvenile Probation, Washington County Juvenile Justice Host Homes, Washington County Adult Learning, South Shore Mental Health Center, several private therapists, the University of Rhode Island, Westerly Hospital, The Rhode Island Student Assistance Program, and the Substance Abuse Task Force. WISSP has received national recognition from the U.S. Department of Education as a model program, is identified as a promising practice in children’s mental health systems of care by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and is listed as an exemplary program by the National Association of School Psychologists.   (end)