$1 Million Investment In Central Falls’ SMART® Clinics To Expand Healthcare Access And Offer First In-School Dental Care

At Ella Risk Elementary School in Central Falls, Dr. Emily Thomas, SMART® Clinic Founder Melanie Ginn, POC Managing Trustee John Tarantino, POC Founder Barbara Papitto, Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera, and Central Falls Deputy School Superintendent Ann Lynch.

For families across Rhode Island, a trip to the doctor, dentist, or counselor has too often meant time off work, long waits, and difficult choices. For many families in Central Falls, it’s now a different story.

Papitto Opportunity Connection (POC) is investing $1 million to expand comprehensive health care for students and families served by SMART® Health Clinics in Central Falls Public Schools, deepening a program already making a data-proven difference and breaking new ground in school-based health care nationwide.

The funding will be awarded to SMART® FAITH works Health and Wellness Institute, building on the nonprofit’s SMART® Clinic program already operating in three Central Falls schools: Calcutt Middle School, Ella Risk Elementary School, and Veterans Elementary School. The investment will support planning for a brand-new SMART® Clinic in the Raíces Dual Language Academy and will, for the first time in any SMART® Clinic in the United States, make full-service dental care available to every student in the district alongside primary care and mental health services in school during the school day.