Behavioral Health and new Biomedical Science tracks
PRESS RELEASE
Smithfield Public Schools Awarded $513,689 Rural Health Transformation Grant to Expand Health Career Pathways
SMITHFIELD, R.I. — October 2026 — Smithfield Public Schools is pleased to announce that the district has been awarded $513,689.77 in Year 1 funding through the Rhode Island Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to expand opportunities for students to discover and pursue careers in health care.
The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to improve the health and healthcare services of rural Rhode Islanders. Rhode Island is working towards a connected, community-based system that ensures every rural resident has timely, coordinated, high-quality care where they live. This program will build lasting infrastructure that empowers communities to lead their own health transformation.
CMS recently announced approximately $5.48 million in funding for 14 Rhode Island local education agencies and schools to expand health-care-focused Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities. The initiative is intended to provide students with greater awareness, preparation, and exposure to high-demand health professions, including behavioral health, biomedical sciences, emergency medical services, nursing, rehabilitation, and other health-care fields.
Smithfield’s project, led by CTE Coordinator Kristen Luongo, will build upon the district’s existing Biomedical Sciences CTE pathway while developing new opportunities in Behavioral Health and other health-care career fields. The funding will support health-care career education infrastructure, including specialized instructional materials and equipment, professional learning and certifications, work-based learning supports, and minor renovations to create appropriate learning environments for health-care education.
The district will also expand opportunities for younger students to explore health careers, strengthening the K–12 pipeline into health-care education. Rhode Island's RHTP specifically identifies expanding early K–12 exposure to health careers through CTE programs in rural school districts as part of its Rural Workforce Program.
“The Rural Health Expansion Grant represents an exciting investment in both our students and our community, allowing Smithfield Public Schools to expand our Biomedical CTE program and, most importantly, establish a new Behavioral Health program. By preparing students for meaningful careers in behavioral health, a field facing critical need for qualified professionals, we are creating pathways to high demand careers while helping strengthen access to essential services in our community,” stated Superintendent Lisa Odom-Villella.
The investment aligns with Smithfield Public Schools’ commitment to expanding meaningful college and career pathways and preparing students for the workforce needs of the future. Smithfield’s grant application was recognized for its broad health-care programming, strong K12 integration, industry and postsecondary partnerships, opportunities for college credit, student interest, work-based learning goals, and focus on behavioral health.
“We are grateful for this opportunity to invest in programs that connect student interests with real workforce needs,” CTE Coordinator Luongo added. “This funding will allow us to create learning experiences and infrastructure that would not otherwise be possible and give our students meaningful opportunities to see themselves in the health-care professions.”
Federal Funding Acknowledgment
This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $156,169,931.19 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
First Student is currently engaged in ongoing negotiations with Teamsters Local 251. Negotiations are continuing, with both parties scheduled to meet again tomorrow morning. First Student has reiterated that its priority remains providing safe and reliable transportation for students and families.
At this time, we have not been notified of any work stoppage that would impact student transportation. Should that change, we will communicate with families promptly.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Families can continue to pay with a check that can be given to the students' school food service staff or mailed to 49 Farnum Pike Rd, Smithfield, R.I. 02917. Please make checks payable to "Smithfield School Dept. Food Services" and write the child's name and lunch number in the memo section.
We will communicate updates to this situation as available.
https://www.smithfield-ps.org/page/transportation
Congratulations to 7th grader at Gallagher James DeBrot! James has published his first book, Behind the Wall of Fantasy. James will be having a book signing at Barnes and Noble at The Crossings on May 9th.
Here is a link to the Valley Breeze article shared on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17VDEEAjqM/
Here is the link to the Facebook event: https://fb.me/211m6wsW4lbYoAZ
Great job James!
SurveyWorks closes April 17th
You can access the survey online at any time by visiting and choosing the appropriate school:
SurveyWorks Link
Registration required:
https://forms.gle/toRQPMf1fPhQ9Fuf9
We’re VERY excited to partner with the Smithfield YMCA and combine this event with Touch-A-Truck and YMCA National Healthy Kids Day. Families can explore emergency, construction, and community service vehicles up close while enjoying games, healthy activities, and family-friendly resources.
