East Providence expands on-site health services for city students - by Roberto DaSilva

In November 2025, the local non-profit East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) hosted the grand opening of its new East Bay Health Center, located in the city-owned Sweetland House at 610 Waterman Ave. This new school-partnered health center is made possible through a collaboration with EBCAP, the City of East Providence, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Rhode Island, and the East Providence School District.

This project reflects over three years of dedicated planning and execution, creating additional resources at a central location for our community to access physical and behavioral health services. As part of this project, the City of East Providence invested over $500,000 of its Community Development Block Grant funds to repurpose this historic building with medical exam and counseling rooms and administrative offices to serve East Providence residents for generations to come.

The East Bay Health Center is centrally located in the city’s community hub next door to the East Providence Senior Center and the new Community Center which is currently under construction. The health center is directly across the street from the East Providence High School (connected via pedestrian bridge). The center will provide comprehensive care, including behavioral health services, sports physicals, vaccinations, wellness visits, and testing for flu, COVID, and strep to East Providence Public Schools students and staff. With this new partnership, school nurses and primary care doctors will be able to collaboratively work with the health center’s staff to better aid students and school personnel needing behavioral health services. Previously, when a student was in crisis and a school professional intervened, it could take weeks, and sometimes months, before they could get an appointment. 

This collaboration offers a much-needed health care service and will expand access to quality care for students and staff of the East Providence school community. The East Bay Health Center represents a shared commitment to the health, safety, and success of students and staff. Every member of the school community can access both mental and physical health services with dignity, compassion, and care. The City of East Providence realizes that an investment in wellness, is an investment in learning, growth, and brighter futures for our residents.

Roberto DaSilva is the mayor of the city of East Providence, R.I.