Community Corner
Stonington’s Carr Awarded ‘Champion for Community Change’ Honor
The RI-based Washington County Coalition for Children awarded social worker Joe Carr highest honor
The Washington County Coalition for Children bestowed its coveted Champion for Community Change Award upon Social Worker and Coalition volunteer Joe Carr. RI state Representatives Donna Walsh and Teresa Tanzi presented Carr with a citation from the RI General Assembly honoring his work.
“Winners embody the Coalition’s mission, serving as both catalyst and facilitator for improved services, value partnerships and collaboration for the benefit of children and families in our community, and go above and beyond to make things happen,” said Coalition co-chair Sean Walsh. “This describes Joe Carr perfectly.”
Walsh said besides serving on the Coalition’s Children’s Mental Health Advisory Board, Carr has been an integral to several Coalition initiatives over the years. He helped administer the Coalition’s B.E.S.T. (Behavioral Emotional Support & Training) Program, an initiative for managing children in childcare settings with challenging behaviors.
“Joe managed all aspects of the program which was funded by the American Academy of Pediatrics,” Walsh said. “He promoted the program with area child care providers, matched consultants with centers and parents, and facilitated regional training for local providers.”
Carr was also a key player in the Coalition’s Community Consultation Program at Curtis Corner Middle School in South Kingstown. He and other administrators consulted with the school’s mental health team to help struggling students. Walsh said Carr has also been an ardent supporter and volunteer ambassador for the Coalition’s “Feelin’ Groovy Project” since it began in 2008.
“Not only has he encouraged local schools and libraries to participate, but he has facilitated many ‘Celebrations of Feelings’ in schools and engaged children in songs about their feelings at the Rhode Island Children & the Arts Festivals. He carried out one student celebration even after his car caught on fire while he was driving to the school!
“Throughout his social work career and work with the Coalition, he has always been committed to doing what is best for children and families. His dedication deserves to be recognized,” Walsh said.
Walsh said besides serving on the Coalition’s Children’s Mental Health Advisory Board, Carr has been an integral to several Coalition initiatives over the years. He helped administer the Coalition’s B.E.S.T. (Behavioral Emotional Support & Training) Program, an initiative for managing children in childcare settings with challenging behaviors.
“Joe managed all aspects of the program which was funded by the American Academy of Pediatrics,” Walsh said. “He promoted the program with area child care providers, matched consultants with centers and parents, and facilitated regional training for local providers.”
Carr was also a key player in the Coalition’s Community Consultation Program at Curtis Corner Middle School in South Kingstown. He and other administrators consulted with the school’s mental health team to help struggling students. Walsh said Carr has also been an ardent supporter and volunteer ambassador for the Coalition’s “Feelin’ Groovy Project” since it began in 2008.
“Not only has he encouraged local schools and libraries to participate, but he has facilitated many ‘Celebrations of Feelings’ in schools and engaged children in songs about their feelings at the Rhode Island Children & the Arts Festivals. He carried out one student celebration even after his car caught on fire while he was driving to the school!
“Throughout his social work career and work with the Coalition, he has always been committed to doing what is best for children and families. His dedication deserves to be recognized,” Walsh said.
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