About Us
Strategic Prevention Partnerships is a nonprofit organization based in Newport County, Rhode Island, dedicated to enhancing community health and well-being through proactive measures, education, support, and partnerships.
Comprised of two integral branches, the Newport County Prevention Coalition focuses on substance use prevention, mental health advocacy, and holistic well-being across all age groups, while No Wrong Door spearheads an inter-agency effort aimed at providing accessible, evidence-based mental health and substance use care to individuals and families in Newport County.
No Wrong Door
The No Wrong Door Initiative is a collaboration with behavioral health and community organizations in Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton and Jamestown creating pathways to behavioral health resources by utilizing an inter-agency network of professionals, licensed social workers, and substance use specialists. Our goal is to connect people with the specific treatment that is best suited to their recovery.
Newport County Prevention Coalition
A key focus of the coalition is community ownership for resolving local substance misuse issues. NCPC includes representation from, but not limited to, parents, students, teachers, businesses, school department, elected officials, faith organizations, youth organizations, the medical community, persons with disabilities, police department, senior citizens, community development groups, town government, and town organizations.
Our Core Values Direct the Work at Strategic Prevention Partnerships
The Core Values were developed by a subcommittee of SPP in 2022 to create a creed to lead their efforts. What started as a strategic planning task became a labor of love for the group and once completed the value statements were wholeheartedly embraced by the entire coalition, staff, and SPP Board of Directors. “We can’t put our values in a 3-ring binder and file it on a shelf”, states Elwell. “This is a living document — when someone comes to work with us, or wants to volunteer, our values need to be front and center. If our values don’t work for you, we won’t be a good fit for you.”
With emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion, SPP’s core values are reinforced by training and continuous development on those ideals. The twelve values each get highlighted at monthly coalition meetings by discussing how the organization demonstrates that value in their work. For example, at a recent meeting, Core Value #1 was highlighted. That value states “We speak with the voice of caring and hope, view others through a lens of empathy, and act with respect and compassion.”
Our Team
Rebecca Elwell, M.A., CPSS
Executive Director
Strategic Prevention Partnerships
Polly Allen, CPS
Director of Prevention
Newport County Prevention Coalition
Kathleen Brughelli
Opiate Grants Coordinator
Newport County Prevention Coalition
Gregory Thompson
Regional Drug Free Communities Program
Strategic Prevention Partnerships
Brian Gough
Coordinator
Little Compton/Tiverton Prevention Coalition
Sean Palumbo, CPS
Prevention Specialist
Newport County Prevention Coalition
Grace Ragozzino
Partnership for Success Grant Coordinator
Newport County Prevention Coalition
Our Board of Directors
Rebecca Elwell, Executive Director
Marjory O’Toole, Chair
Nancy DeNuccio, Secretary
Corey Oliveira
Corey Sylvia
Office Address:
300 High Point Ave., Portsmouth, RI 02871
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 173, Adamsville, RI 02801
Phone: 1.401.835.5311