Press Room
Press Room
2025
- Hundreds of former R.I. special needs students could be compensated for state cutting their education short
June 13, 2025
The Boston Globe
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/13/metro/ri-special-needs-students-disabilities-class-action-lawsuit-settlement/ - Special ed students who lost a year in school win damages
June 22, 2025
Boston Sunday Globe
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/boston-sunday-globe/20250622/282089167748288 - Why is Rhode Island warehousing children at a psychiatric hospital?
January 9, 2025
RI PBS Weekly
https://www.pbs.org/video/warehoused-istrce/
2024
- Rhode Island officials investigate child welfare system treatment facilities
September 20, 2024
The Boston Globe
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/09/20/metro/rhode-island-child-welfare-system/ - It’s never been easier for Rhode Islanders with disabilities to vote. But it’s still not perfect.
September 20, 2024
Rhode Island Current
https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/09/20/its-never-been-easier-for-rhode-islanders-with-disabilities-to-vote-but-its-still-not-perfect/ - Families whose children languished at Bradley Hospital hope DOJ investigation will lead to change
The Boston Globe / Rhode Island PBS – June 24, 2024
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/06/24/metro/bradley-hospital-psychiatric-ri-failure-doj-investigation-dcyf-kids/ - Former Eleanor Slater Hospital patient’s death sparks investigation
May 11, 2024
The Providence Journal
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2022/05/11/death-former-eleanor-slater-hospital-patient-investigation-treatment-discharge/9735407002/ - Feds: R.I. child welfare agency warehoused vulnerable kids in hospital for months, even years
May 13, 2024
Rhode Island Current
https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/05/13/feds-r-i-child-welfare-agency-warehoused-vulnerable-kids-in-hospital-for-months-even-years/ - Federal lawsuit filed to obtain St. Mary’s Home investigation records
GoLocalProv — Mar. 18, 2024
https://www.golocalprov.com/news/federal-lawsuit-filed-against-ri-child-advocate-to-release-st.-marys-invest - Federal lawsuit filed against RI Child Advocate to obtain St. Mary’s investigation information
March 18, 2024
GoLocalProv
https://www.golocalprov.com/news/federal-lawsuit-filed-against-ri-child-advocate-to-release-st.-marys-invest - OCA not satisfied with St. Mary’s Home response to scathing report
Providence Business News — Mar. 18, 2024
https://pbn.com/oca-not-satisfied-with-st-marys-home-for-childrens-response-to-scathing-report/ - ‘Lack of accountability’: State says St. Mary’s hasn’t done enough to fix problems
Boston Globe — Mar. 19, 2024
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/19/metro/child-advocate-says-st-marys-hasnt-done-enough-to-remedy-serious-problems-at-home-for-children/ - Disability rights group objects to expansion at St. Mary’s Home
Providence Journal — Mar. 20, 2024
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/healthcare/2024/03/20/disability-rights-group-objects-to-expansion-at-st-marys-home/7302674001/ - Disability Rights Rhode Island opens investigation into St. Mary’s Home for Children
WPRI / Target 12 — Mar. 20–21, 2024
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/2024/03/20/disability-rights-group-objects-to-expansion-at-st-marys-home/73028039007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z115418d00—-v115418d–61–b–61–&gca-ft=215&gca-ds=sophi - March 22, 2024
Office of Child Advocate faults St. Mary’s Home for Children for ‘minimal solutions’
Rhode Island Current
The Child Advocate criticized St. Mary’s response to documented abuse and neglect, calling reforms inadequate and accountability lacking. - ACLU, Disability Rights, Children’s Rights sue Rhode Island over lack of mental-health care for children
Boston Globe — Nov. 13, 2024
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/11/13/metro/aclu-disability-rights-childrens-rights-sue-dcyf-eohhs-for-denying-children-mental-health-care/ - Why the ACLU is suing RI over children’s mental health care
Providence Journal — Nov. 13, 2024
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2024/11/13/why-the-aclu-is-suing-ri-over-childrens-mental-health-care/76251071007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z114218p003380c003380d00—-v114218d–56–b–56–&gca-ft=244&gca-ds=sophi - Lawsuit alleges Rhode Island is denying mental health services to Medicaid-eligible children
The Public’s Radio — Nov. 13, 2024
https://thepublicsradio.org/health/lawsuit-alleges-rhode-island-is-denying-mental-health-services-to-medicaid-eligible-children/ - Children cannot wait any longer for behavioral health services in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Current — Dec. 11, 2024
https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/12/11/children-cannot-wait-any-longer-for-behavioral-health-services-in-rhode-island/ - U.S. Department of Justice settles with Rhode Island over ‘warehousing’ of children
Boston Globe — Dec. 19, 2024
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/19/metro/rhode-island-doj-settles-warehousing-children-patients-bradley-hospital-psychiatric/
2023
- New chief medical officer for Eleanor Slater Hospital announced
Providence Journal — Apr. 4, 2023
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2023/04/04/new-chief-medical-officer-for-eleanor-slater-hospital-announced/70080726007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z116318d00—-v116318d–70–b–70–&gca-ft=166&gca-ds=sophi - Providence nursing center reaches settlement with federal government
ABC6 — May 3, 2023
https://www.abc6.com/providence-nursing-center-reaches-settlement-with-federal-government/ - Elmhurst rehab and health care center settles ADA complaint for $30K
Providence Business News — May 3, 2023
https://pbn.com/elmhurst-rehab-and-health-care-center-settles-ada-complaint-for-30k/ - Dan McKee taps Richard Charest to run Executive Office of Health & Human Services
Providence Journal — May 12, 2023
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2023/05/12/dan-mckee-taps-richard-charest-to-run-executive-office-of-health-human-services/70200104007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z117018d00—-v117018d–78–b–78–&gca-ft=160&gca-ds=sophi - Eleanor Slater Hospital CMO resigns, search is on for replacement
Providence Journal — Dec. 15, 2023
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2023/12/15/eleanor-slater-hospital-cmo-resigns-search-is-on-for-replacement/71930077007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z117019d00—-v117019d–78–b–78–&gca-ft=240&gca-ds=sophi
2022
- Video leads to allegations of patient abuse at Eleanor Slater Hospital
Providence Journal — Feb. 18, 2022
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2022/02/18/video-leads-allegations-patient-abuse-eleanor-slater-hospital-rhode-island/6848871001/ - Disturbing video causes alarm for disability rights group
Boston Globe — Feb. 19, 2022
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/19/metro/disturbing-video-taken-eleanor-slater-hospital-causes-alarm-disability-rights-group/ - Rhode Island hospital accused of abuse after ‘alarming’ video
USA Today — Feb. 19, 2022
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/02/19/rhode-island-hospital-accused-of-abuse-after-alarming-video/6863484001/ - Eleanor Slater Hospital deficiencies still not addressed
Providence Journal — Mar. 9, 2022
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2022/03/09/state-run-eleanor-slater-hospital-problems-still-not-addressed/9438901002/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z119019d00—-v119019d–xx–b–xx–&gca-ft=179&gca-ds=sophi - Senate passes legislation to improve ballot access for voters with disabilities
U.S. Senate — Mar. 31, 2022
https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/house-passes-legislation-led-by-lujan-klobuchar-blunt-to-improve-ballot-access-for-voters-with-disabilities/ - Opinion: Ava’s story shows how RI fails kids with disabilities
Providence Journal — May 4, 2022
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/opinion/2022/05/04/opinion-murray-avas-story-shows-how-ri-fails-kids-disabilities/9556489002/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z119019d00—-v119019d–xx–b–xx–&gca-ft=157&gca-ds=sophi - Disability rights advocates call on RIDE to establish ONE Diploma system
RIPIN — May 10, 2022
https://ripin.org/disability-rights-advocates-call-on-ride-to-establish-one-diploma-system-for-ri/ - Former Eleanor Slater Hospital patient’s death sparks investigation
Providence Journal — May 12, 2022
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2022/05/11/death-former-eleanor-slater-hospital-patient-investigation-treatment-discharge/9735407002/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z119019d00—-v119019d–xx–b–xx–&gca-ft=199&gca-ds=sophi - Charlene Liberty’s family alleges neglect at hospital led to her death
Providence Journal — June 4, 2022
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/06/04/charlene-liberty-ri-family-alleges-neglect-led-slater-hospital-death/7498797001/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z119018d00—-v119018d–xx–b–xx–&gca-ft=260&gca-ds=sophi - A vigil for Charlene Liberty in the ongoing fight for change
Uprise RI — June 15, 2022
https://upriseri.com/remembering-charlene-liberty/ - Open letter opposing CARE Court
Human Rights Watch — Aug. 16, 2022
https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/16/open-letter-governor-newsom-opposition-care-court - Rhode Island demonstrates new accessible ballot marking machines
WJAR / NBC 10 — Aug. 19, 2022
https://turnto10.com/news/local/secretary-of-state-nellie-gorbea-expressvote-marking-machine-providence-rhode-island-august-19-2022 - Advocacy group sues agency over use of mechanical restraint at Slater Hospital
ABC6 — Aug. 25, 2022
https://www.abc6.com/ri-advocacy-group-sues-agency-over-complaint-on-use-of-mechanical-restraint-at-slater-hospital/ - Claim: records wrongfully withheld in state hospital query
Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly — Aug. 26, 2022
https://rilawyersweekly.com/news/claim-records-wrongfully-withheld-in-state-hospital-query/ - ‘Deplorable conditions’ alleged at reopened state hospital wing
Providence Journal — Dec. 11, 2022
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/state/2022/12/11/deplorable-conditions-alleged-at-reopened-state-hospital-wing/69716557007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z119019d00—-v119019d–xx–b–xx–&gca-ft=238&gca-ds=sophi
‘Deplorable condition’ in unit at R.I. state-run hospital, advocacy group finds
Boston Globe — Dec. 13, 2022
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/12/09/metro/deplorable-condition-unit-ri-state-run-hospital-advocacy-group-finds/
2021
- COVID-19 Vaccinations Begin at RI DD Group Homes
Developmental Disability News — Jan. 21, 2021
https://olmstead-ddnews.org/olmstead-updates/2021/1/21/vaccinations-begin-at-ri-dd-group-homes - Concerns rise about RI attempts to reduce population at state hospital
Providence Journal — Mar. 4, 2021
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/04/concerns-rise-ri-attempts-reduce-population-state-hospital/4577833001/ - Doctor raises alarms about discharges from state-run Eleanor Slater Hospital
Boston Globe — Mar. 4, 2021
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/04/metro/doctor-raises-alarms-about-discharges-state-run-eleanor-slater-hospital/ - State hospital docs allege ‘unethical’ pressure, intimidation to release patients
Providence Journal — Mar. 5, 2021
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/05/state-hospital-docs-allege-unethical-pressure-intimidation-release-patients/4591263001/ - Mental health advocates slam ‘inhumane’ Slater Hospital discharges
Providence Journal — Mar. 10, 2021
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2021/03/10/mental-health-advocates-slam-inhumane-slater-hospital-discharges/6939000002/ - ‘This didn’t happen overnight’: The financial mess at Eleanor Slater Hospital
WPRI / Target 12 — Mar. 10, 2021
https://www.wpri.com/target-12/this-didnt-happen-overnight-the-financial-mess-at-eleanor-slater-hospital/ - Concerns raised about discharges at state-run hospital
NBC Boston — Mar. 2021
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/concerns-raised-about-discharges-at-state-run-hospital/2320709/ - Union sees nursing home rate hike as linchpin to hospital discharges
Providence Journal — Apr. 14, 2021
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2021/04/14/union-sees-nursing-home-rate-hike-linchpin-hospital-discharges/7225539002/ - Atty. Gen. Neronha investigates, rings alarm bells about patient care at state hospital
Providence Journal — Apr. 12, 2021
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2021/04/12/atty-gen-neronha-investigates-rings-alarm-bells-patient-care-state-hospital/7193216002/ - Disability rights advocates note Eleanor Slater Hospital review isn’t really independent
Boston Globe — June 18, 2021
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/18/metro/patients-face-neglect-disability-rights-advocates-note-that-eleanor-slater-hospital-review-isnt-really-independent/ - Eleanor Slater Hospital in RI worked to discharge patients without telling them or families
Boston Globe — June 2, 2021
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/02/metro/eleanor-slater-hospital-ri-worked-discharge-patients-without-telling-them-or-their-families/
Investigation finds patients and families left out of discharge decisions. - Eleanor Slater doctors who resigned dispute they ‘manipulated’ patient data
Providence Journal — June 22, 2021
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2021/06/22/state-hospital-doctors-who-resigned-dispute-they-manipulated-patient-data/5304094001/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z119019d00—-v119019d–xx–b–xx–&gca-ft=254&gca-ds=sophi - Report reveals facilities, leadership & culture problems at Eleanor Slater Hospital
GoLocalProv — June 30, 2021
https://www.golocalprov.com/news/new-report-shows-eleanor-slater-hospital-facilities-leadership-culture-lang - Eleanor Slater’s top doc slams state-commissioned report as a whitewash
WPRI / Target 12 — Aug. 2, 2021
https://www.wpri.com/target-12/eleanor-slaters-top-doc-slams-state-commissioned-report-as-a-whitewash/ - Another team of federal inspectors visits Eleanor Slater Hospital
Providence Journal — Sept. 13, 2021
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2021/09/13/another-team-federal-inspectors-visits-eleanor-slater-hospital/8317074002/ - Anonymous reporting line for Slater hospital employees as probes expand
Providence Journal — Sept. 15, 2021
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/healthcare/2021/09/15/anonymous-reporting-line-slater-hospital-employees-probes-expand/8348637002/ - ‘Victory for People With Disabilities’: CVS withdraws petition in U.S. Supreme Court case
GoLocalProv — Nov. 11, 2021
https://www.golocalprov.com/news/new-victory-for-people-with-disabilities-cvs-withdraws-petition-in-u.s.-sup - ACLU sues RI Corrections Department over holding man in segregation
Providence Journal — Nov. 15, 2021
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/courts/2021/11/15/prisoner-sues-ri-corrections-department-solitary-confinement-joseph-shepard/8625418002/ - Report says workers sleeping on job, serious patient neglect at Eleanor Slater Hospital
Providence Journal — Dec. 16, 2021
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/healthcare/2021/12/16/eleanor-slater-hospital-ri-report-says-workers-sleeping-job-serious-patient-neglect/8926661002/ - Eleanor Slater accreditation secured through mid-2024
Providence Journal — Dec. 21, 2021
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2021/12/21/rhode-island-eleanor-slater-hospital-accreditation-approved-through-2024/8983462002/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z119019d00—-v119019d–xx–b–xx–&gca-ft=228&gca-ds=sophi