Social & Human Services

About the Department

The Social and Human Services Department, located at the Senior Center, can address the social and human service needs of all North Kingstown residents, regardless of age. Whether you are an older adult or under age 55, the department will confidentially discuss your individual circumstances and either assist directly or refer you to other providers in the community.

Social Services for Adults age 55+

Social Services will try to answer your questions and help you obtain the services you need. Social Service staff also make visits in the privacy of your home upon request. A "Stop-in-Visit" is recommended occasionally just to check out new information on programs and other handouts materials. You may be pleasantly surprised about services available that you didn't even know existed.

Social Services for Residents of All Ages

Mission Statement for Public Welfare/Human Service Assistance: Provide professional, efficient and confidential support and relief to North Kingstown residents who are in an emergency situation.

Kathleen Carland is Director of North Kingstown Senior and Human Services and fulfills the duties of the Welfare Director according to Rhode Island state law.  This position  assumes by law the obligation of sup­plying relief and support to all per­sons lawfully re­siding in the Town of North Kingstown who are in an emer­gency situation.  This means acting as a liaison be­tween the Town and State administra­tions in matters relating to food stamps, social ser­vices, assistance payments, medi­cal assistance and com­munity support sys­tems.  The department provides an essen­tial link between this community and the multi­tude of Federal/State so­cial service pro­grams with a strict degree of confiden­tiality.  The Director ad­ministers the Public Assis­tance Account and the Indigent Aid Escrow Ac­count that are Town Funds used to assist the clients who come in seek­ing emergency assis­tance who do not qualify for any State programs, or who are pending eligibility for a State program.    All assistance is granted in voucher form or directly to vendors and no cash assistance is issued. The Social/Human Services Department is the contact for the Salvation Army and is the contact for the RI Good Neighbor Energy Fund which is administered by the Salvation Army.  Proof of income may be necessary to qualify for certain programs and services.

Questions About Medicare D Coverage

Call us at (401) 268-1591.

Medical Assistance

For information about medical assistance and eligibility, call 267-1030, 1-800-862-0222 or visit the DHS Website http://www.dhs.state.ri.us/index.htm

Food Stamp Assistance

To apply for food stamps or to determine eligibility, call 1-800-282-7021 or visit

http://www.ridhseligscreening.org/English/FS.pdf

Emergency Food/Heating Assistance

Emergency Food is available through the North Kingstown Food Pantry and other community resources.  The North Kingstown Food Pantry also accepts donations of non-perishable food items and grocery store gift certificates at the following collection sites:  the NK Chamber of Commerce, the Standard-Times; NK Town Hall; NK Town Hall Annex; NK Police Department; Wal-Mart, Dave’s Market- Tower Hill road, and St. Paul’s, Wickford Baptist, United Methodist and St. Bernard’s churches.

Between September and December the Department also handles requests for emergency and holiday assistance. Heating assistance applications are also available.

Social Services Staff

Our Social & Human Services Coordinator Mary Sadowski and Specialist Beverly Hood can be contacted by calling (401) 294-3331 Ext. 330 or 268-1579 between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.  Please call for appointments. 

Email Mary Sadowski, Social Services Specialist: msadowski@northkingstown.org

Email Beverly Hood, Social Services Specialist:  bhood@northkingstown.org

How can we help?

Social Services can help you with information/referrals on the following