Announcements

Apply today for the next cohort of Clinica Esperanza’s Advanced Navegante (CHW) Training Program! This course is offered bilingually. Participants must be fluent in Spanish and English. Participants also receive FREE medical interpreter training!

Reach out to Jackie Medrano for more details at JackieM@aplacetobehealthy.org

Congrats to Lina Roman and Swanette Salazar, who were recently recognized by Centro de Innovación Salud y Bienestar for their tireless work as Community Health Workers!

Call for Poster Presentations: Community Impact of Hispanic Community Health Workers

As part of the Annual Training and Recognition Conference for Hispanic Community Health Workers, Centro de Innovación Salud y Bienestar is pleased to open the call for participation in the Poster Exhibition: Community Impact of Hispanic CHWs.

This exhibition will take place as part of the opening of the conference and aims to highlight projects and interventions led by Hispanic Community Health Workers that are making an impact in Hispanic communities. The exhibition provides an opportunity to showcase community initiatives and promote the exchange of experiences and effective practices among peers.

Hispanic Community Health Workers who lead or are part of community-based projects are invited to present a poster documenting their work and its impact on the community.

Posters must be presented in Spanish.

Requirements to participate:

1. The project must be led by a Hispanic Community Health Worker or by a group composed entirely of Hispanic Community Health Workers.
2. The project must be directed toward the Hispanic community.

To participate in the poster exhibition, please complete the registration form at the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQf_CzaByxIIppBmqTflDyo5vZCbBHZs6AxFkNmKE6Tak2FQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

An informational meeting will also be held to provide guidance on the expected poster format and to answer questions.

Informational Meeting

Day: Thursday, March 26, 2026

Time: 6:00 pm

Format: Zoom (the link will be sent to registered participants)

The poster exhibition will take place during the Annual Training and Recognition Conference for Hispanic Community Health Workers:

Day: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

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Convocatoria para Exhibición de Carteles: Impacto Comunitario de los(as) TCS Hispanos(as)

En el marco de la Jornada de Capacitación y Reconocimiento del Trabajador Comunitario de la Salud Hispano, Centro de Innovación Salud y Bienestar abre la convocatoria para participar en la Exhibición de Carteles: Impacto Comunitario de los(as) TCS Hispanos(as).

Esta exhibición formará parte de la apertura de la Jornada y tiene como propósito visibilizar proyectos e intervenciones lideradas por Trabajadores Comunitarios de la Salud Hispanos que están generando impacto en la comunidad hispana. El espacio busca destacar iniciativas comunitarias y promover el intercambio de experiencias y prácticas efectivas entre colegas.

Los Trabajadores Comunitarios de la Salud Hispanos que lideran o forman parte de proyectos comunitarios están invitados a presentar un cartel que documente el trabajo realizado y su impacto en la comunidad.

Los carteles deberán presentarse en español.

Requisitos para participar:

1. El proyecto debe ser dirigido por un TCS Hispano o por un grupo compuesto únicamente por TCS Hispanos.
2. El proyecto debe estar dirigido a la comunidad hispana.

Para participar en la exhibición, complete el registro en el siguiente enlace:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQf_CzaByxIIppBmqTflDyo5vZCbBHZs6AxFkNmKE6Tak2FQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

También se realizará una reunión informativa para orientar a los participantes sobre el formato esperado del cartel y atender preguntas.

Reunión Informativa

Día: Jueves, 26 de marzo de 2026

Hora: 6:00 pm

Modalidad: Zoom (el enlace será enviado a las personas registradas)

La exhibición de carteles se llevará a cabo durante la Jornada de Capacitación y Reconocimiento del Trabajador Comunitario de la Salud Hispano:

Día: Sábado, 29 de agosto de 2026
Hora: 9:00 am a 3:00 pm

The Institute of Continuing Education and Professional Development at Centro de Innovación Salud y Bienestar (CISB) is sharing thier in-person trainings for the first semester of 2026, as well as the Calendar of Virtual Seminars.

Both calendars include detailed dates and times for each training. All activities are offered entirely in Spanish and are designed to strengthen the professional competencies of Community Health Workers within the public and community health system.

Three weeks prior to each training or seminar, the registration link is shared through their Facebook page: Centro de Innovación Salud y Bienestar. Once interested individuals register through the link, they receive the information needed to complete payment, as applicable.

In Person Trainings

Below are the topics included in the In-Person Training Calendar (First Semester 2026):

• Community Health Worker – Basic Level
• Professional Practices in Supporting Families with Special Needs
• Perinatal Doula – Basic Level
• Public Services Navigation
• Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse: Identification and Safe Referral
• Planning and Implementation of Community Health Events

Virtual Seminars

The Virtual Seminar Calendar includes the following topics:

• Health Promotion from the CHW Role
• Health Education: What a CHW Can and Cannot Do
• Navigation of the Health Care System and Access to Services
• CHW Support in Care Plans

Three weeks prior to each training or seminar, the registration link is shared through our Facebook page: Centro de Innovación Salud y Bienestar.

Once interested individuals register through the link, they receive the information needed to complete payment, as applicable. Direct all questions to cimujerlatina@outlook.com

Paid Opportunity to Train CHWs on Lupus

The American College of Rheumatology is excited to bring a PAID Lupus Training opportunity to RI.  They have been able to bring this project to over 10 CHW organizations around the country over the past few years. Organizations who employ or work with CHWs who facilitate this training will be compensated $4,000 for training 20 CHWs.

Here is some information about the project:

This program aims to increase CHWs (1) knowledge about the signs and symptoms of lupus, lupus health disparities, lupus clinical trials and clinical trial disparities; and (2) skills to increase lupus awareness and support clients with potential and diagnosed lupus.  

• The entire length of the program is no more than 6 hours
  • This can be completed all at once, or broken into 5 sessions
  • The training can be implemented in-person or virtually (based on how the organization is conducting other trainings)

• Each site should reach at least 10 CHWs (who take the pre-test and post-test, which is done via online links that are already set up)
  • Sites that successfully implement the program with 20 CHWs (who take the pre-test and post-test) will receive a $4,000 stipend
  • Sites that successfully implement the program with 10 CHWs will receive a $2000 stipend, and a $3,000 stipend for implementing with 11 – 19 CHWs.
• The facilitator should be someone within the organization who trains CHWs on other topics
  • There will be an orientation call prior to the scheduled sessions to go over any questions the facilitator might have
• The sessions will be facilitated in English
  • Activity sheets for participants to use during the training are also in English
• Handouts for CHWs to share with clients/patients and community members are available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, Karen, Somali, Marshallese, and Mixteco.

Reach out to Jasmine Thomas, CAPM (she/her) jthomas@rheumatology.org with interest and questions. 

This was sent in an email from the RIPIN Communications Team on 10/14/2025 and republished here for wide readership. Please forgive formatting errors.

U.S. Department of Education Layoffs Put Special Education at Risk

Warwick, RI — RIPIN is alarmed by reports indicating that the U.S. Department of Education has terminated nearly the entire department that works on special education and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This department is known as the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), and the layoffs are effective December 9th. Mass layoffs at OSEP pose real risks to special education for students with disabilities.   States, districts, students, and families rely on OSEP to ensure that special education works. OSEP plays a critical role in distributing funding to states and to nonprofits that help families, updating and clarifying federal rules, identifying and disseminating best practices, and ensuring that schools and districts follow federal law.   The IDEA is the foundational Civil Rights law that ensures students with disabilities have the support they need in school to help them succeed.  “Without a team at OSEP, the IDEA risks becoming an empty shell,” said Sam Salganik, RIPIN’s Executive Director. “Success in special education requires collaboration between all levels of government: federal, state, and local. Families may not notice the impact of these cuts in one week or one month, but make no mistake, without federal expertise and support, schools, families, and students will suffer in the long run.”  RIPIN is working with partners to try to get this harmful action rescinded. Please stay tuned for updates about how you can get involved. Students and families need OSEP.  These layoffs should not change anything about the services that students with disabilities are currently receiving from their schools. RIPIN’s team remains available for Rhode Island families who need support navigating special education.  RIPIN 401.270.0101 info@ripin.org Founded in 1991, RIPIN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps thousands of Rhode Islanders each year with health care, special education, and healthy aging. RIPIN uses a model of peer professional support—more than three-fourths of RIPIN’s staff are caregivers of a loved one with special health care or special education needs. For more information about RIPIN and its mission, please visit the organization’s website at www.ripin.org.

This email was sent 10/01/25 by the Urban Perinatal Education Center. It had so much content we wanted you to see it all, so we posted it! The formatting isn’t perfect. Sign up for their emails at the bottom of their website! https://urbanperinatal.org/

Happy 3rd Year Anniversary   We have a lot to celebrate, as of September 13, 2025, we celebrated THREE years of the Urban Perinatal Education Center. Our last tally showed we have served over 600 families, around 200+ families and each year with over 30+ provider referral based organizations for our services: childbirth education, doula, lactation services, and our Easy Access Clinic. We continue to grow and support workforce development in all areas of community led and based perinatal care fields. With Gratitude.   This work is demanding, yet rewarding. We have seen significant financial ramifications in funding loss towards community health. We know the community impact is one way we can continue our efforts.   Become a Monthly Donor     New Changes to the Midwifery Initiative     We have some new changes for the Midwifery Initiative. This year 2025-2026 we will be implementing scholarships for all three licensed Midwifery workforces regulated by the Rhode Island Department of Health. This changes shifts focus beyond the growing Certified Professional Midwifery (CPM) workforce include Certified Midwifery (CM) and Certified Nurse Midwifery (CNM), two hospital based focused integrated Midwifery professions. CNM and CM are often found in our local community health centers, and five birthing hospitals. Changes with the initiative will include financial assistance with prerequisites (CPM & CM) and books/equipment scholarship for current RI resident Midwifery students.     A listening ear and a compassionate heart.   You asked. We listened.   Reminder: Our Call A Midwife line is available through our Easy Access Clinic for people who would like a clinical consult to review their information, a conversation over their results with consent in their MyCharts, and another perspective to assist in their advocacy for their childbirthing rights. Please reach out and schedule a call if you need it. Our line is for consultation is directed by Licensed Midwife, Amariee Collins of Radicle Midwifery LLC. A homebirth Midwife, who serves Rhode Island.     50 by 50: Beloved Birth and Community Midwifery         Thank you to all of our vendors and providers who attended the Beloved Birth event. We are grateful to everyone who came to share their businesses, support families, and learn more about the work in community. Thank you to Birth Center Equity, who provided us with a small sponsorship grant to host this event.   The 50 by 50 is an initiative to increase access to midwifery care in the United States, designed by Birth Center Equity (BCE). The goal is for 50% of all births in the US to be attended by midwives by the year 2050. The movement envisions a future where all families have access to safe, culturally relevant, and community-based birth options, with a focus on addressing systemic inequities in maternal healthcare.   The Urban Perinatal Education Center is an integral member of the community birth network with BCE. Elevating Community Midwifery is a shared common thread of both of our organizations and highlights accessible, individualized, person-centered care as a primary focus towards a just and beloved community. When speaking on Community Midwifery, as a community standard, it is defined as private and/or shared independent Midwifery practices for out-of-hospital birth settings such as home birth and/or freestanding independent birth center providers.   ** Shirts are still available for purchase** Each shirt promotes Community Midwifery awareness and support the Community Midwifery initiative.     PVD Fest with The Black Marketplace     Thank you PVD fest! We had a great time a the annual PVD Fest at the Black Market. We were able to link up Irth in community. It was great to be in community and support our local ecosystem of culture and celebration. We look forward to seeing you again, next year.     Community Events and Information     THE DOULAS ARE GROWING, THE DOULAS ARE GROWING! We have seen an increase in our doula requests. Congratulations to all the families we serve. Our referral network through our hotline and online form is seeking to expand to more doulas who support RI EOHHS state insurance providers as a priority to equitable care.   Seeking medicaid approved doula providers, diverse lingustics skills (Urdu, Chinese, Russian, etc.) and cultural backgrounds (Muslim, Buddhaism, Catholicism, etc.).   Special thank you to our 30+ providers community are continuously supporting families with calls and referrals.   Also, a humble thank you to our perinatal peer support specialists for filling in for communities most at risk when systems referrals fall through the cracks and we need immediate support.       Community Baby Shower with Sistafire RI     Sistafire is hosting their third ever Community Baby Shower at John Hope on October 4 from 1-5 PM! Their Community Baby Shower welcomes birthing families of color who are pregnant or have given birth within the last year to come out and celebrate their growing family. They connect families with doulas of color and local community organizations that provide services that our families need. They also hold a raffle and baby shower games with prizes for participating families. Additionally, families are encouraged to check out our Freedom Boutique where they can select used baby and maternity clothing. RSVP below to let us know you and your family will be attending (not required).   Register     Bengkung Belly Binding Birth Matron: Mama Q     Our optimistic learning community enthusiast, Mama Q, completed the Birth Matron training for belly binding in the Malay tradition this past weekend with Salwa Salim in Virginia. Mama Q says once she has all her supplies she will be willing to offer this postpartum care package learned by the Malay tradition to families in the early postpartum period.   Benefits of belly binding include, but not limited to:   Addressing the Neglected Postpartum Period Holistic Well-being Enhanced Postpartum Care Reducing Postpartum Depression and Complications   Serves are provided in home of families, stay up to date in the newsletter to learn more.   215 Cottage Street Pawtucket RI 02860 unsubscribe

RI Represents at NACHW Unity!!!

Swanette Salazar honored with “Hope in Healthcare” Award!

Six RI CHWs including those from the 02907 HEZ and Sankofa Initiatives teams at the West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation attended last weeks Unity Conference in Columbus Ohio. Read NACHW’s recap here.

RI’s new ambassador to NACHW, Lina Roman, spoke about the conference, “This is my second Unity conference but my first time as ambassador.  I met the other ambassadors, one from Alaska, Nebraska, Puerto Rico, New York and New Hampshire. It is interesting and important to see how other states are doing with CHW – do they have training, do they have a state organization? (Nebraska does not.) It helps us understand where Rhode Island is at and where we need to continue to advocate.” 

Outgoing NACHW Ambassador, Swanette Salazar was awarded the ‘Hope In Healthcare Award’ honoring CHWs demonstrating exemplary work towards achieving health equity. She shared, “Unity was such a meaningful experience, and it’s always a joy to be surrounded by my CHW family. This year felt special — I got to share the space with RI’s new ambassador Lina Roman, Geraldine McPhee, and the amazing West Elmwood HEZ leaders, Jessica Thigpen and her team once again!

I was truly surprised and deeply honored to receive the Hope in Healthcare award.

Thank you to everyone who believed in me, nominated me, and continues to pour into me with love, encouragement, and support. When you love what you do, it really doesn’t feel like work. I’m so grateful to be walking in my purpose — and I’ll keep showing up, doing the work, and pouring back into the community I care so deeply about.

Rhode Island, I love you — and I’m not done yet. ❤️”

Powerful CHW Graduations

Graduation is an accomplishment. A celebration of hard work and perseverance. We are excited to share important graduations recently celebrated by Rhode Island’s CHWs! If you are looking for confirmation that RI’s CHWs can and will rise to meet challenges… here are 111 great examples of CHWs doing just that!

🎓 CHWARI hits 450!
CHWARI’s Core Training program through RIC’s Institute for Education in Healthcare graduated 31 more CHWs on July 1^st! This brings us to more than 450 CHWs trained since 2019. What a strong foundation for the workforce! Stay tuned for dates for our next core training which will be offered in the fall. Priority will be given to those who have already completed some CHW work/volunteer hours, so accrue if you can. (Employers – are you looking for CHW volunteers and/or do you have work for non-certified CHWs?  Email joinchwari@gmail.com and we will share!) 

🎓 RI Support Network Celebrates 37 CHW Graduates!
RI Support Network recently graduated 37 CHWs from its 70-hour CHW training program, delivered in partnership with Roger Williams University Extension School. These graduates are now prepared to support individuals and families across Rhode Island through culturally responsive, hands-on health and wellness services.

Thanks to their partnership with RWU Extension School, graduates are eligible to earn 5 college credits toward a degree. Those who go on to obtain their RI CHW Certification can receive up to 18 additional credits, opening doors to higher education and career advancement in public health. Email to express interest in their next cohort:  info@risupportnetwork.org

🎓 Visión y Compromiso Promotora Training Graduates 22!
The Latinx CHW Support group collaborated with CHW Voices, and CHWARI to bring the Visión y Compromiso Promotora training to RI. Central Falls School District, Connexion Latina Newport, Bridges Connection Consulting, and Connecting for Children and Families joined the effort to engage Spanish speaking communities across the state. Twenty two promotors participated in 48+ hours of intense, interactive, culturally-appropriate CHW training in Spanish. 

Trainers were given a citation by Representative David Morales, and participants each received citations from Maria Rivera, the Mayor of Central Falls!
Stay connected to RI’s Latinx Support Group for follow up on this training and future trainings like it! 

The First CISB Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Course!
Español aqui. This past Saturday, July 26, 2025, the first section of Centro de Innovación Salud y Bienestar’s Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Course was successfully completed by 8 CHWs. This 30-hour training is valid for the new Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders endorsement from the RI Certification Board. Participants are now ready to formally apply for the endorsement, expanding their competencies to better support communities facing mental health and substance use challenges. Their next class starts 9/6/25! See details below (purple dot outline)!

Last but certainly not least…

🎓CISB’s Mental Health Community Health Worker Graduation – July 28, 2025
Español aqui. On Monday, the Graduation and Recertification Ceremony for Centro de Innovación Salud y Bienestar’s Mental Health Community Health Worker Course was held at the Rhode Island State House Library. This course represents the most advanced specialization in mental health for CHWs. A total of 13 CHWs successfully completed the 180-hour training, reaffirming their commitment to the emotional well-being of their communities. The event was attended by political leaders, community partners, and family members, who came together to recognize the effort, dedication, and transformative work of these essential professionals within the public health system.

We know many CHWs are working hard to get the training/education hours they need for certification and re-certification. A reminder – many documented, professionally-led trainings in any of the CHW domains would ‘count’  towards the 70 hours needed for CHW certification or the 20 hours required for re-certification (which must include 3 hours in professional ethics education).

Detailed education requirements are found on page 2 of the RICB CCHW application, including things like you cannot count the same training twice. 

We list trainings on our website when time permits, and share them in this newsletter.  We have gathered a few upcoming ones below.  Those hours add up!  It is very possible to get to 70 hours by October!

Scheduled: 

• July 16, The Bidirectional Relationship of Opioid Overdose and Brain Injury– Envision/SCAHC -1 hour
• July 24th, Behavioral Health Foundations for CHWs – UNE – 1 hour
• July 24, Extreme Heat & Health: Clinical and Public Health Strategies for Prevention & Action– APHA – 3 hours
• July 27,  The Urgency of Addressing Maternal Mental Health: Key Approaches for Healing, 1.5 hours
• July 30th, Youth MHFA– Bradley Hospital- 8 hours
• August 1, Youth MHFA– FSRI – 8 hours
• August 5th, 7th, 13th & 18th – Promoting Child, Family, and Provider Mental Health– BTC – 4 different 3 hour trainings
• August 12th, Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Management, BUH, 1 hour
• August 20, Adult MHFA, Bradley Hospital, 8 hours
• September 5, Adult MHFA Training – FSRI – 8 hoursSeptember 5-26th, Working with Schools to Support Youth Mental Health, RIC – 30 hours

Online, Self-Paced:

New England Public Health Training Center offers MANY appropriate trainings, ranging from 45 minutes to multiple hours.  They have a page devoted to CHW trainings here – but do browse their other self-paced offerings here!!!  

Patient Navigation Community Health Worker Training offers a 15 short courses in English And seven courses in Spanish including: 
Motivational Interviewing for Vaccine Hesitancy – 1 hour
Cultural Navigation- 1 hour

American Diabetes Association-Many courses including one specifically for CHWs – 1 hour

Envision lists links to many organization’s trainings on their website here.

Ethics:

Introduction to Ethics for CHWs– NEPHTC- 1 hour
Ethical Guidelines for Community Health Workers – PNCT – 20 min