Investigative Solutions Journalism
The Mental Health Challenges in the Juvenile Justice and Foster Care Systems in Rhode Island
The Communities of Hope’s investigative team is focused on finding and verifying solutions for systemic issues affecting the most vulnerable populations in Rhode Island. Every year, we will focus on one investigation but we will not move on from previous ones, as we believe it is our purpose to see these through and keep our communities informed about any changes and, we hope, improvements to the systems we investigate. During the academic year of 2025-2026, a
dedicated group of Communities of Hope students is participating in the Solutions Journalism Network Student Media Challenge to thoroughly investigate solutions to the pressing mental health
challenges encountered by youth within the incarceration and foster care systems. Through this initiative, our students aim to uncover how local organizations and groups are addressing the issue, looking into what we can learn from their responses to this systemic issue. As an
investigative effort, we look into the evidence of how effective each response is, its limitations, and the lessons we can learn from different people who are being affected by them, from those who are
implementing them, and from the people who make decisions in the system.
About Our Collaboration with The Solutions Journalism Network
What is the Student Media Challenge?
The Student Media Challenge, part of the Solutions Journalism Network, helps budding journalists by giving them the tools and support they need to address important issues in their communities through creative storytelling. By encouraging teamwork among student newsrooms, this initiative creates a space where creativity thrives, enabling students to uncover real solutions and tell powerful stories that resonate with their audiences. Each grant awarded not only supports their projects but also fuels a passion for impactful journalism that drives change and strengthens community connections.
What is solutions journalism?
Solutions journalism is an essential way to shed light on creative responses to social issues, especially those impacting marginalized communities. It looks at how different initiatives tackle challenges like mental health, housing stability, and community engagement. This approach not only showcases effective strategies but also identifies areas that need improvement, providing a deeper understanding of these complex issues. It fosters conversations between community members and decision-makers, encourages learning from both successes and failures, and ultimately sparks meaningful change. Through engaging storytelling and insights backed by data, solutions journalism helps communities work together to address important issues while nurturing hope and resilience.
How do I become a solutions journalist?
You can explore the fundamentals, access training opportunities, and discover toolkits and guides at the SJN Learning lab by visiting the website at https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/learning-lab .
Other Recipients from 2025-2026
- The Post (Ohio University)
- CT Community News (Connecticut Student Journalism Collaborative)
- The Collegian (San Joaquin Delta College)
- Southern Methodist University
- Communities of Hope Civic Media (Roger Williams University)
- The Daily Northwestern (Northwestern University)
- Madison Commons (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
- The Daily Collegian (Pennsylvania State University)
A Reflection on SJN
For the past two semesters, the Solutions Journalism Team has been hard at work investigating solutions within the juvenile justice and foster care systems. As their projects come to a close for the Spring semester, team members reflect on their work and share how SJN has helped them as students and professionals
Cake4Kids is Serving Up Joy
Children in the foster care system on average receive two placements a year. This constant moving often leads to missing pivotal celebrations such as birthdays or graduation parties, and consequently, not feeling accepted or cared for. To address this issue, Cake4Kids coordinates with social workers and volunteer bakers to design cakes and desserts that the child wants. The children have a say in flavor, theme, and design, allowing their opinions to be heard, because after all, it is a celebration of them
4/10 SJN Curated News
This curated news involves stories, one being about immigration and foster care. A growing number of children are entering foster care after their parents have been detained or deported by immigration enforcement. At least 32 cases across many states have been identified. While some say parents should arrange for where their kids will go, sudden immigration enforcement makes it difficult. The second one is based on the Rhode Island Youth Ski Program. A Rhode Island nonprofit ECO helps at-risk youth build confidence through outdoor activities such as skiing. The program encourages older participants to be mentors to younger members. This allows participants to have personal growth and gain confidence to make improved life choices.
Garden Time: Cultivating Mental Health and Community
The non-profit organization, Garden Time, has been transforming rehabilitation within the Rhode Island Prison System by teaching individuals gardening and green industry skills, emphasizing the mental health benefits and reducing recidivism. Garden Time offers additional job and life skills training after release to continue support. Advocates and individuals who have gone through their programs say that the hands-on methods and strong support provide participants with stability and employment pathways.
SJN Rise Above
BRISTOL, RI | “Raven has never had the opportunity to participate in any sports or after school activities due to financial constraints,” said her foster parents. “Being placed in a foster home in a new city has taken an emotional toll on her.” For many youth in the...
3/18 Curated News
This curated news involved three stories. The first one talks about the Rhode Island Supreme Court ruling that municipalities are not required to pay for the general education costs of students in state custody placed in residential facilities unless special education...
2/13 Curated News
On January 15th, 2026, Democratic Lawmakers led by Representative Julie Casimiro introduced a bill, eliminating the possibility of life without parole for youth offenders under the age of twenty-one. "It's time to reexamine life without parole for juvenile offenders,"...
Foster Forward Empowers Youth Through Mentorship
“This story is a part of the Solutions Journalism Network Media Challenge, where we report on solutions to mental health issues within the juvenile justice and foster care systems.”BRISTOL, RI | In 2019, Sam Fasso signed up to be a mentor through Foster Forward’s Real...
Juvenile Hearing Boards Are Navigating Juvenile Justice With a New Approach
“This story is a part of the Solutions Journalism Network Media Challenge, where we report on mental health within the juvenile justice and foster care systems.” Juvenile Hearing Boards: An Alternative to the Traditional Juvenile Justice System February 2026 |...
Mental Health and Lifelong Impacts on Foster Care Youth
“This story is a part of the Solutions Journalism Network Media Challenge, where we report on mental health within the juvenile justice and foster care systems.” Children in the foster care system face high rates of mental health challenges, often stemming from early...
Maryland Faces Lawsuits Over Juvenile Sexual Abuse
“This story is a part of the Solutions Journalism Network Media Challenge, where we report on mental health within the juvenile justice and foster care systems.” We will be discussing a recent story our Solutions Journalism Network team did research on over the past...
“Good on Paper, Not in Practice”: Addressing the Persistent Mental Health Crisis in Rhode Island’s Juvenile Justice System
Poverty, Bias, and the Systemic Over-Removal of Black Children in Foster Care
This story details the disproportionate representation and negative outcomes for Black children in the foster care system. Black children, who make up about 14% of the child population, represent 22% to 23% of children in foster care and are removed from their homes...
Garden Time Uses Prison Gardens and Green Jobs Training to Support Rehabilitation at Rhode Island’s ACI
“This story is a part of the Solutions Journalism Network Media Challenge, where we report on mental health within the juvenile justice and foster care systems.” Garden Time is a Rhode Island–based organization that works to humanize the situation at the Rhode Island...
Mario’s Law—A Second Look at Youth Sentencing
“This story is a part of the Solutions Journalism Network Media Challenge, where we report on mental health within the juvenile justice and foster care systems.” Enacted in July 2021, Mario’s Law allows individuals who committed offenses before their 22nd birthday to...