Robert Crossley Recognized for Partnership by Bristol HEZ

Robert Crossley, Vice President of Behavioral Health at East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP), was recently honored by the Bristol Health Equity Zone (HEZ) at its “Building Partnerships Celebration.”

Crossley was recognized for his partnership with the Bristol HEZ which led to developing recovery services for the residents of Bristol and the East Bay region. These services include an after-hours emergency line which can be accessed by the Bristol Police. When police encounter a person with an addictive disorder who might benefit from addictive recovery services, they are able to call the emergency line and immediately speak with a clinician who will engage that person for services. For people who are not ready to make the call, the Bristol Police provide East Bay Community Action Program’s telephone number for the person to use at a later date should he/she then decide to seek services and/or recovery support services. Other services include the development of a Recovery Support Center at St. Michael's Episcopal Church on Hope Street in Bristol. The Center is largely an initiative funded by the Bristol HEZ and grants they have received to provide consultation and clinical support from East Bay Center, a division of East Bay Community Action Program.

Although it was Crossley’s leadership that led to the introduction of these new services, he is quick to share that these initiatives were the result of a group effort, acknowledging collaboration by Emily Spence of the Bristol HEZ, Lieutenant Stephen St. Pierre of the Bristol police, Steven Contente, Bristol Town Administrator, Tommy Joyce, Director of the East Bay Recovery Center and himself.

Crossley also participates in the Opioid Prevention Task Force for the Town of Bristol.

East Bay Community Action Program is a private non-profit agency offering an array of health and human services to the residents of Rhode Island’s East Bay Region. Primary care and behavioral health services for children and adults are provided in a fully integrated approach at two health centers –one in East Providence and another in Newport. Both health centers are accepting new patients. For information or to schedule an appointment in East Providence call 401- 437-1008 and in Newport call 401- 848-2160.