1. Rhode Island Advocacy for Children
appoints first Communications & IT
Director
For Immediate Release – Wakefield, R.I. – October 13, 2015 – Rhode Island Advocacy for Children
appoints Joseph A Santiago, the former Executive Director of the Heart Foundation of CT, to the new
position of Communications & IT Director.
Reporting to Rhode Island Advocacy for Children’s President, Joanna Scocchi, Santiago will be
responsible for managing and directing the organization's internal and external communications,
streamlining the computer systems and electronics within RIAC, and working to develop a digital training
library for parents and advocates.
“One of the major goals of Rhode Island Advocacy for Children is to further become an organizational
hub for parents and other organizations that are seeking support in dealing with learning disabilities in
the Rhode Island educational system, such as dyslexia,” said Scocchi. “To do that we will be developing
training and advocacy initiatives to help students get the support and services they need in the public
school system. Mr. Santiago is the right person to help develop and guide this process. The position of
Communications & IT Director is critical to achieving our goals.”
Mr. Santiago will begin reaching out to do interviews with Dyslexia advocates and professionals who are
out there doing the work every day. This project is intended to highlight Dyslexia Awareness Month in
October.
“I am so very pleased that Joseph Santiago has accepted this position to help us begin this critical work
in Rhode Island,” Scocchi said. “He is extremely well qualified as a subject matter expert on knowledge
management systems for cross channel operational processes, training, and the establishment of
informational and cultural contact zones. One of our first targets is developing workshops for parents
and school administrators who are seeking more information about learning disabilities so that they can
support students with LD in and out of the classroom.”
Previously, in his role at Santiago Inc., Mr. Santiago was appointed Chair for the Global Diversity and
Inclusion Foundation (GDIF) Business Council for Marketing, Communications, & Public Relations in
August of 2013.
Mr. Santiago earned an associate’s degree from Riddley and Lowell, a bachelor’s degree from the
University of Rhode Island, and he is currently all but dissertation in Industrial and Organizational
Psychology, from Walden University in Minneapolis, MN. He also holds a certification as a Trainer in
Kingian Nonviolence & Conflict Reconciliation, Human Resources, Research Design, and Six Sigma.

2. Rhode Island Advocacy for Children educates, supports, and empowers families to be equal partners in
the education of their children who have learning disabilities. Positive changes are made by educating
and collaborating with key stakeholders at our community, state and national levels. More information
on the Rhode Island Advocacy for Children’s notable achievements, services provided, key leadership,
and history can be found on our website.
Media Contacts below.
Joanna Scocchi
Founder & Executive Director
www.RIAdvocacyforChildren.org
joanna@riadvocacyforchildren.org
Rhode Island Advocacy for Children
23 North Road, Suite A-16
Wakefield, RI
OFFICE: 401-363-9899
Joseph A Santaigo
Communications & IT Director
www.RIAdvocacyforChildren.org
joes@riadvocacyforchildren.org
Rhode Island Advocacy for Children
23 North Road, Suite A-16
Wakefield, RI 02879
OFFICE: 401-363-9899