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Foster Care Shortage Leaves Rhode Island Youth Without Stable Homes
Rhode Island’s foster care system continues to face significant strain as limited foster home availability creates instability for children in need of placement. Data shows that frequent moves, school disruptions, and unmet mental health needs contribute to lower graduation rates and long-term challenges for foster youth. The issue is particularly severe for teenagers, sibling groups, and children with behavioral or emotional needs. Structural factors such as high housing costs and limited system capacity further complicate placements. Expanding foster family recruitment, increasing trauma-informed care, and strengthening educational supports are key strategies to improving outcomes for these vulnerable populations.
RWU Mens Hockey Coach Guides Players Through First Collegiate Season
Coach Chris Hall Leads the Hawks with Over 15 years of experienceWhile the Roger Williams University men’s hockey team has had a tremendous amount of success as a new program, it is important to look at a big reason as to how they got there: Coach Hall. RWU men's...
Education and School Performance in Rhode Island
This data story examines how student performance trends in Rhode Island are shaping the state’s education system and accountability efforts. Recent data reveal both successes and challenges: while some schools show strong outcomes, many absences still make learning difficult, and some students, like those from low-income families, English learners, or students with disabilities, face greater challenges. Teacher experience and qualifications also play a key role, affecting academic performance and graduation rates. By analyzing standardized test results, attendance patterns, and teacher data, this story highlights how the Rhode Island Department of Education uses data to guide decisions aimed at improving school performance, supporting students, and ensuring equitable opportunities across districts. The data show that attendance, good teachers, and available resources are key to student success across the state
ICE Enforcement In and Around Courthouses
News Summary (Amid a nationwide immigration crackdown, ICE has changed protocol so they may arrest and detain people without following proper procedures. In response, many cities, such as Providence, R.I., are creating “ICE-Free Zones” through city legislation to minimize where ICE may operate.)
Episode 3 – 2/20/26
Roger Williams University’s student radio show Hope Pod Live presented a wide-ranging episode covering local, state, and national issues. The broadcast featured investigative reporting on Foster Forward’s Real Connections mentoring program addressing mental health challenges for foster youth, data analysis of Rhode Island’s recent cybersecurity breaches affecting thousands of residents, and immigration reporter Addison Mason’s examination of family separation under ICE enforcement. The show also commemorated the 250th anniversary of Thomas Payne’s “Common Sense” with campus readings and highlighted the passing of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson. DEI Coordinator Dr. Joanna Revelo Goodes discussed Black History Month initiatives and the university’s new “Community Starts with Me, Thrives with Us” campaign during an in-depth interview.
Foster Forward Empowers Youth Through Mentorship
Children in foster care or youth who experience homelessness often endure many instabilities, especially in their transition into young adulthood. To assist foster youth, Foster Forward has been matching youth with mentors since 2005 to provide emotional support through tough battles with financial, housing, educational, and emotional insecurities. Launching off a successful mentor-to-adoption story, the SJN team emphasizes the importance of supporting youth, rather than leaving them to navigate the world by themselves.
Episode 9 – 11/21/25
Hope Pod Live's fall semester coverage examined critical social justice issues affecting Rhode Island communities, with particular focus on immigration policy changes and juvenile justice reform. The show documented how federal funding freezes under the Trump...
RWU Welcomes Varsity Women’s Hockey
Coach Laura Ardoin and RWU Athletic Director Kiki Jacobs shared their excitement for the team to start in the fall, alongside Jacobs describing the immense value Coach Ardoin brings to this first year team.
The Children Left Behind From Deportations
If a parent is deported or detained, it is important to consider the greater impacts. While families can ask to be deported together, if the child is a United States citizen, they may have to stay in the U.S without their parents. As a result, families scramble to find caregivers, older siblings are sometimes left to take care of their younger siblings, and no matter what, the caregivers are burdened with new responsibilities.
In the past year of increased fears, some children of immigrants are experiencing emotional withdrawals, missing school, and their food sources are limited since their family is scared to go out and shop in public.
Rising Cyberattacks Threaten Rhode Island Residents and Businesses
Currently, Rhode Island is experiencing a rise in significant cyberattacks affecting both government systems and major businesses. Recent breaches, including the RIBridges data leak and the cyberattack on United Natural Foods, have exposed sensitive personal information, disrupted essential services, and created uncertainty for residents and companies across the state. These incidents highlight vulnerabilities in centralized digital systems and third-party vendor management, particularly in a smaller state with limited cybersecurity resources. While recovery efforts and security improvements are underway, continued investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, stronger vendor oversight, and increased public awareness are critical to protecting Rhode Islanders from future digital threats.