The Providence-based Rhode Island Foundation has announced second-quarter discretionary grants totaling nearly $3.4 million to local organizations working in the areas of arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environment, health, and human services.

Through mid-year, the foundation has awarded $12.5 million, including $4.6 million through its discretionary grant programs. Since January 2010, the foundation has targeted support for advocacy and leadership in the areas of public education and primary health care — sectors deemed critical to the state's future.

Grants announced by the foundation include $100,000 to Housing First Rhode Island - Riverwood Mental Health Services to expand efforts to end chronic homelessness; $50,000 to Connecting for Children & Families to create the Rhode Island Full Service Community School Alliance, a coalition that promotes community schools as the vehicle for strengthening schools, families, and communities; and $35,000 to Rhode Island Hospital to develop a curriculum for teaching basic mental healthcare interventions to primary care physicians.

"Many outstanding organizations are addressing some of our state's most pressing challenges, and the foundation is proud to partner with them," said Rhode Island Foundation president and CEO Neil D. Steinberg. "Whether providing children and their parents with educational opportunities throughout the summer to reinforce skills, or funding a healthcare job training program with a 100 percent placement rate for its participants, our grants support programs with tangible benefits not only for their participants, but also for all Rhode Islanders in the long term, as we become a more educated, highly skilled, healthier, and engaged community."

For a complete list of grant recipients, visit the Rhode Island Foundation Web site.