Governor Chafee, Secretary Mollis Announce Rhode Island 1663 Colonial Charter 350th Anniversary Commission

Joined by Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis, Lt. Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts, Matthew C. Campion, Vice Consul for the British Consulate-General, and State Historic Preservation Officer Edward F. Sanderson, Governor Lincoln D. Chafee signed an executive order establishing the Rhode Island 1663 Colonial Charter 350th Anniversary Commission to plan and organize a celebration of the 350th anniversary of the Charter in 2013.

“Rhode Island’s Charter is a unique document of international significance,” Governor Chafee said. “Before any other Colony, in fact, more than a century before the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, its issuance marked the first time in modern history that individuals within a society were free to practice the religion of their choice without the interference of government.”

“Original colonists Roger Williams and John Clarke helped create what is still today respected throughout the world as a sanctuary of freedom,” Governor Chafee continued. “This is a most appropriate time to revisit our roots.”

February 20, 2012

February 20, 2012, a photo by rigovernor on Flickr.

Governor Chafee traveled to Cranston to announce that Rhode Island will serve as a national host site for the 2013 'Rallies for Recovery,' an event organized by Faces and Voices of Recovery. Pictured at the microphone is Craig Stenning, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals. At left is Stephen Gumbley, Board Chairman of Faces and Voices of Recovery.

For more information, visit: www.rally4recovery.com

Rhode Island Rally for Recovery Selected as 2013 National Hub Event

On February 20, Governor Chafee congratulated the Rhode Island Rally for Recovery for being selected as the 2013 National Hub Event. Rally for Recovery events, held in September of each year, are part of National Recovery Month, an initiative of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, within the Department of Health and Human Services. The event will raise awareness about drug and alcohol addiction, mental illness, developmental disabilities, and the road to recovery.

Governor Chafee commended the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), the Anchor Recovery Center, RICARES, and other members of the Rhode Island Recovery Month coalition on their achievement.

Governor Chafee Appoints Professor Jorge O. Elorza to Rhode Island Foundation Board

Governor Chafee announced his appointment of Roger Williams University School of Law Professor Jorge O. Elorza to the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Foundation on February 17.

“Professor Elorza is the perfect candidate for the Rhode Island Foundation’s Board of Directors,” Governor Chafee said. “He is a true Rhode Island success story. The son of immigrants, he has excelled at the highest levels of academia and law and returned to practice and teach in his home state. Professor Elorza is committed to Rhode Island and will be a tremendous asset to the Foundation as it works to fulfill its mission of developing proactive and strategic methods to meet the needs of the people of our great state.”

Rhode Island Foundation Chairman David M. Hirsch reinforced the governor’s comments, saying, “We are delighted that Governor Chafee selected Professor Elorza for this position. The Foundation’s directors endorsed his appointment with great enthusiasm and appreciation for his expertise and perspective. We anticipate that he will make wonderful contributions to our board.”

Governor’s Workforce Board Announces Short-term Training and Hiring Incentives for Unemployed Rhode Islanders

The Governor’s Workforce Board announced on February 16 that it plans to fund more than $200,000 in short-term training and hiring incentives for unemployed and underemployed Rhode Islanders this spring and summer. The four pilot programs include:

1. An electronic health records training pre-employment program with hiring incentives for Rhode Island employers.
2. A hospitality training program with hiring incentives. 
3. Subsidized fellowships for graduating college seniors to work in the information technology (IT) field. 
4. Post-employment IT and bioscience training for previously unemployed Rhode Islanders. In total, the four pilot programs hope to serve 50 to 60 Rhode Island job seekers.

February 16, 2012

February 16, 2012, a photo by rigovernor on Flickr.

Governor Chafee shakes hands with Steven King, Managing Director of the Quonset Development Corporation, following a ground breaking ceremony for the 76,000 square foot Indoor Sports Complex being built in the Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown. Also pictured are Stephen Sangermano, one of the complex's owners, far left, and Sandra Pattie, President of Bank Newport.

Governor Chafee Signs New Apprenticeship Program for Information Technology Industry

On February 16, Governor Chafee and the RI Department of Labor and Training cosigned an authorization for the state’s first apprenticeship program in information technology. The program, submitted by Atrion Networking Corporation, creates an Internetworking Associate Apprentice Program that includes 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 272 hours of related classroom instruction. The signing occurred at the monthly meeting of the state’s workforce policy-making body, the Governor’s Workforce Board.

Previously, Rhode Island’s active apprenticeship programs had been limited to construction and manufacturing occupations, such as carpenters, electricians, iron workers, pipefitters and machinists. Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by joint employer and labor groups, individual employers and/or employer associations.