Announcements

RI CHW Conference!

Join the Rhode Island Department of Health for the CHW Voices Community Health Worker Conference: Building Bridges: Strengthening Communities and Advancing Systems Together—a celebration of the vital role Community Health Workers (CHWs) play in advancing health equity.

This inspiring event brings together CHWs and allies to:

  • Highlight CHW impact across systems and communities
  • Share real-world stories, successes, and challenges
  • Build cross-sector connections for collaboration and mentorship
  • Identify actionable steps to support and sustain the CHW workforce
  •  

Attendees will leave with new connections, practical tools, and strategies to drive change—plus inspiration from powerful peer and community-led efforts.

Whether you’re a CHW, an ally, or simply passionate about health equity, we invite you to be part of this moment.

🎉 Don’t miss it—register today!

Swanette Shares 4/14/25

This information was shared in an email from Swanette Salazar CCHW on 4/14/25, in her role as the Lead Community Health Worker Consultant – Rhode 2 Equity(CTC-RI). Some of this info is in the CHWARI Newsletter – some is not due to time issues. We will try to post updates like this on our website so that all resources are ‘out there!’ We are working on a way to coordinate communications better. 

May is Spanish Mental Health Month — a time to honor our struggles, nurture our healing, and lift each other in love and solidarity, especially as our communities continue to weather storms that weigh heavily on the heart and spirit. Even in the darkest seasons, our resilience shines — and together, we rise, rooted in hope and guided by our heart work. Below, you’ll find resources to support your mental well-being and share with others.

Find resources here from Mental Health America

Have you heard about…

  • The Lawyers’ Committee for RI (a group of local attorneys) has created a Nonprofit Legal Protection Project (NLPP). NLPP is a legal resource built to ensure that the laws that protect federal funding to nonprofits will be followed and enforced so nonprofits can continue to fulfill their charitable missions.
    • NLPP is also looking for local attorneys, and other professionals, that are interested in volunteering their time and expertise to help community organizations. For more information, please contact Amy Romero at amy@dwbrlaw.com or call 401-453-1500.
    • They will be coordinating training and technical assistance workshops, office hours, and consultations with local attorneys to help organizations respond to the changing regulatory and funding environment. The remaining upcoming Office Hours sessions are:
      • 4/23 at 10am | DEI Certifications – In some cases, nonprofit organizations that receive federal funding are being asked to submit “DEI Certifications” as an additional condition on current awards. This Office Hours will focus on best practices to address this new item in grant funding conditions.
      • 5/8 at 11am | Changes in Grant Conditions – Federal policies can shift rapidly, affecting compliance, funding, and operations for organizations that rely on federal grants. This Office Hours session will focus on key considerations as federal agencies roll out new grant conditions applicable to funding awards to nonprofit organizations
  • Recent layoffs have deeply impacted our friends at RIFPC and several key allies in the RI food system. Despite these challenges, RIFPC is committed to redoubling its efforts and working alongside its members to restructure and build a more equitable and resilient food system in Rhode Island
    • Learn more about being an On-call advocate for RIFPC here.
  • May is Bike to Work Month. Join others in the 2025 No Pollute Commute Bike to Work Challenge. Learn more about it here.
  • Our friends at RI Humanities, part of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), have been affected by the federal funding cuts that help them support the RI communities with grants. They have currently paused grantmaking indefinitely and are fighting to restore this funding.
    • Read action alerts here
    • If you would like to advocate for the cuts made to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
      • You can use their template to contact your members of Congress and express yourself
      • You can share your story with RI Humanities on how these funding cuts impact organizations, individuals, and our communities.

Advocacy & Legislation

  • 4/15 at 9 am | Zoom Press Conference with Economic Progress Institute and Congressman Magaziner on the current passage of the federal budget resolution that plans to slash Medicaid and SNAP funding. Register here.
  • DARE RI holds weekly tenant & homeowner association meetings in Providence every Tuesday at 6pm at 340 Lockwood Street in Providence. Contact Kinverly for more information at Kinverly@daretowin.org or 401-291-0847
    • DARE is currently advocating for rent stabilization in Providence with a proposed 4% rent cap ordinance, meaning rent could only go up 4% per year in Providence.
    • If you live and/or work in Providence and agree with these efforts, you can contact your local councilor using this template by DARE. Not sure who your local representative is? Find out here.
  • Sign up for a lobby day here to advocate for transportation rights at the statehouse with the Save RIPTA campaign team!
    • 4/22 = Older Adults & Disability Focus
    • 4/29 = Union/Drivers & Workers Focus
    • 5/6 = Lobby Day open to everyone   

Professional Development, Opportunities, Resources

  • Did you know that RI SNAP recipients qualify for the SNAP Employment and Training program? This free federal program provides job training for adults who participate in SNAP and are not currently receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) / RI Works.
    • SNAP E&T Catalog: https://risnapet.org/
    • 4 new providers added, including Turning Around Ministries in Newport, Social Enterprise Greenhouse, Newport Community School, and expansion of services and capacity at the Refugee Dream Center
  •  Free Lactation CEU’s from MDH Learning Center
  • 4/24 webinar 12-1:30pm | Unlocking Access: Federal Policy Updates and Changes in the First 100 days for RI and MA based partners. Learn more and register here.
  • 4/24 – 6/12 | The Reentry Campus Program is hosting a free 8-week program for justice-impacted individuals. Learn more and register here.
  • 5/16 Open Doors and RWU Fair Chance Job Fair | Employers can register for a table here.

Community Resources, Opportunities, & Events

  • Week by week Summer Camp guide by www.kidsoutandabout.com
  • 4/18 Downtown Providence Earth Day Clean-up to help keep downtown parks clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone. Starts at 9am at The Landing (101 Dyer Street in Providence)
  • 4/22 Earth Day Gathering at the Urban Perinatal Education Center (UPEC) | Learn about seedling starting and assist in cleaning up around UPEC and gathering to give gratitude to Mother Earth
  • 4/26 East Providence Earth Day Clean up Veterans Memorial Parkway. Meet others at 1 pm at the Easy t Bay Bike Path parking lot (66 Veterans Memorial Parkway East Providence RI 02914)
  • 4/26 Fam Jam and Earth Cleanup Day. Register for free here.
  • 5/3 Care in the Square Event 9-12 pm | A community event focused on beautifying Trinity Square with a mural on a fence, installing street signage, planting street trees and tree pits, cleaning Grace Church cemetery and street cleaning. The Salvation Army will be providing lunch. Learn more here.

Self-care resources/events

Articles + Videos + Podcasts

Potential Grants, Funding, and Award Opportunities

Take Care,

Swanette

Swanette Salazar CCHW

Lead Community Health Worker – First Connections Program

Lead Community Health Worker Consultant – Rhode 2 Equity(CTC-RI)

RI CHW Ambassador – National Association of Community Health Workers
salazarsw@familyserviceri.org

I use she/her/hers pronouns! How about you?

Swanette Shares 3/31/25

This information was shared in an email from Swanette Salazar CCHW on 3/31/25, in her role as the Lead Community Health Worker Consultant – Rhode 2 Equity(CTC-RI). Some of this info is in the CHWARI Newsletter – some is not due to time issues. We will try to post updates like this on our website so that all resources are ‘out there!’ We are working on a way to coordinate communications better. 

Hi everyone,

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and this year’s theme, “Together We Act, United We Change,” highlights the power of collective action in preventing and addressing sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. Explore more resources from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

—-

Starting April 7th, we celebrate National Public Health Week 2025, with the theme “It Starts Here.” This theme reminds us that public health begins with our everyday actions—creating healthier homes, communities, and workplaces. Public health is all around us, shaping the environments where we live, work, and play. By working together, we can build a stronger, healthier future for everyone. Learn more here. 

Have you heard about…

  • Our International CHW partners, Community Health Impact Coalition (CHIC), has been named a winner of the Skoll Award For Social Innovation 2025 alongside Apis & Heritage Capital Partners, EarthEnable, Healthy Learners and Pacto pela Democracia! Learn more about CHIC here and check out their 2024 annual report here. See the video speaking more about CHWs here.
  • CHW Survey for all CHWs in and out of RI to help our evaluators compare what is most important to us and those across the nation. Please take a moment to share your thoughts on what is most important to you. The survey can be found here.
  • My term as RI’s CHW Ambassador for the National Association of CHWs ends this year! Apply here. | Applications due on 4/30/25

Advocacy & Legislation

  • Check out the committee calendars of bills being the General Assembly is hearing here.
  • RIPIN’S Report: Strengthening Preschool Education in RI, outlines key solutions to strengthen the system
    • Learn more about the findings, recommendations, legislation, and advocacy opportunities below
  • Currently, the administration is planning on terminating half of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s workforce – this could significantly affect how we access the congressionally approved federal investments needed to address our housing and homelessness challenges, including rental assistance, closures of homeless shelters, stop the construction of new housing. What can we do about it? We can make our voices heard by calling our congressmen regarding the planned cuts to HUD.
    • RI’s own Senator Reed wrote a bipartisan letter urging the administration to keep HUD field offices open.
    • HomesRI has created a toolkit that includes a call script, contact info, background, etc.
    • Example template from the National Low Income Housing Coalition
  • Economic Progress Institute 2025 Legislative Agenda
  • Save RIPTA Lobby Days | Learn more about the campaign here and sign up here. The organizers will be there to help guide you to talk to lawmakers.
  • Housing Network of RI Legislative Tracker
  • 4/7 at 6 pm | Action for Health: Advocacy & Power Building Training | Learn basics of effective advocacy with decision makers, dig into what it takes to build political power, and pass on critical skills you’ll need to advocate for health.
  • 4/8 from 3-4 at the State House: Housing x Transit Advocacy Day | Join other advocates to meet with lawmakers to discuss why safe, affordable homes and reliable public transit is essential to RI’ers. Sign up here. This will also run with the Community Development Month Launch Event to celebrate RI’s nonprofit affordable housing developers.

Professional Development, Opportunities, Resources

  • Right to Know | A medically accurate, stigma-free resource for teens and young adults to learn about their sexual and reproductive health | Check out a brief video here and order materials here.

Community Resources, Opportunities, & Events

  • Click here to learn more about the new Deaf softball league | No experience needed – ALL are welcome, including Deaf, Hard of Hearing, CODA, SODA, or signing hearing individuals
  • The Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) is now accepting applications for two new Medicaid Advisory Committees! The deadline to apply is April 21, 2025. To learn more about the BAC and MAC, please visit eohhs.ri.gov/Medicaid-BAC-MAC.
    • The Beneficiary Advisory Council (BAC) is open to current or former Medicaid beneficiaries, their families, or caregivers to provide feedback and help improve services. English Flyer | Spanish Flyer | Portuguese Flyer
    • The Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC) is for community members, providers, or advocates who wish to be involved in sharing their experiences and opinions.
  • Master Guide to Summer Camps
  • Brown Asthma Camp from July 14 -17 | Learn more here. | Sign up here.
  • 4/7 from 3-4 pm: Parenting While Black Series (final session from Brazelton Touchpoints Center)
    • Each webinar includes live Spanish translation and closed captioning
  • 4/9 from 3-7 pm | Day One Community Fair – see attached PDF to share and click here to learn more.
  • 4/16 from 10-12 pm | URI Cyber Seniors Health-Tech Series: Navigating Hearing Loss Through Connective Tech | To register, email shc-group@uri.edu | See attached PDF to share
  • 4/26 11-2 am | 2025 Housing Resource Fair Open House | Learn more and RSVP here.

Self-care resources/events


Articles + Videos + Podcasts

Potential Grants, Funding, and Award Opportunities

Take Care,

Swanette

Swanette Salazar CCHW

Lead Community Health Worker – First Connections Program

Lead Community Health Worker Consultant – Rhode 2 Equity(CTC-RI)

RI CHW Ambassador – National Association of Community Health Workers
salazarsw@familyserviceri.org

I use she/her/hers pronouns! How about you?

Swanette Shares 2/28/25

This information was shared in an email from Swanette Salazar CCHW on 2/28/25, in her role as the Lead Community Health Worker Consultant – Rhode 2 Equity(CTC-RI). Some of this info is in the CHWARI Newsletter – some is not due to time issues. We will try to post updates like this on our website so that all resources are ‘out there!’ We are working on a way to coordinate communications better. 

Hi everyone,

I hope this email finds you all well. As we enter the Spring and better weather to come, I want to remind you that together we can get through anything and if you ever need support, check out your local CHW network to connect with other CHWs. We are all here to support each other.

Have you heard about…

  • Researchers at Miriam Hospital are looking for community members to learn more about what the community thinks about food and nutrition programs in RI and to get input on how CHWs can connect people to programs that provide healthy food and/or nutrition education. Find the flyers here | English + Spanish

Advocacy & Legislation

  • Part of Governor McKee’s proposed budget 2026 includes an assault weapon ban, a baby bond program, the creation of new funding streams for housing and homelessness initiatives, and more. Check out RI Kids Count’s budget analysis explaining more.
  • Legislative info from CIRIMC *
  • 3/3 from 6-8pm at Veazie St Elementary in Providence | Ward 14 in Providence includes the neighborhoods of Elmhurst & Wanskuck, where you find Providence Colleges, Lasalle Bakery, and the West River.
  • 3/3 at 6pm at Webster Elementary School | Ward 15 includes parts of Silver Lake, Olneyville, Manton, and Valley neighborhoods

Professional Development, Opportunities, Resources

Community Resources, Opportunities, & Events

  • Community Planning Process Event to improve the Hospital District in Providence. This vision plan will aim to build upon years of community conversations to reimagine how underutilized land can reconnect the Hospitals with the Southside of Providence (a first step, unlock community development and economic opportunity, and improve public and environmental health.  English Spanish
  • Learn more about PVD 3-1-1 for Providence residents
  • New Welding Program added to the SNAP Education & Training Program! Learn more about it here.
  • Hasbro Prom Dress Giveaway 4/12/25. Download flier
  • RI Fatherhood Initiative Community Event on 4/10 in Providence. Register here. Contact Tyrone with questions or of you’d like to get involved with RI Fatherhood Initiative efforts in RI at t.jackson@psnri.org.
  • Matter of Balance classes to reduce risk of falling & increase activity levels among older adults. Learn more here or call 401-432-7217
  • Listening Session for RI Families | March 4th in Providence | Register here.
  • RIPIN Conscious Discipline Virtual Workshops. Register here | English | Spanish

Self-care resources/events


Articles + Videos + Podcasts

Potential Grants, Funding, and Award Opportunities

Have a great day!

Swanette

Swanette Salazar CCHW

Lead Community Health Worker – First Connections Program

Lead Community Health Worker Consultant – Rhode 2 Equity(CTC-RI)

RI CHW Ambassador – National Association of Community Health Workers
salazarsw@familyserviceri.org

I use she/her/hers pronouns! How about you?

Protect Medicaid Resources

“This is NOT a drill — if you haven’t activated your networks yet, please do so IMMEDIATELY! This includes your work networks, coalition partners, parent networks, community orgs, health care providers, health centers, hospitals and everyone who depends on Medicaid. Rope in your personal networks — family, friends, etc. via social media. We need LOTS of calls to Congress ASAP!!!!!” – the words of on of our partners.

As you know, the House Budget Committee has approved a budget resolution that includes a minimum of $880 Billion in cuts to Medicaid. The House is on recess this week but we expect that the budget resolution will be voted on next week. While Trump said Medicaid wouldn’t be cut, today he endorsed the House’s budget resolution bill. So we need to make a concerted effort NOW to stop the House from passing this resolution. Once the House & Senate agree on a joint budget resolution, the relevant committees must come up with the cuts. Members will be under a lot of pressure to vote for the budget resolution to keep the process moving. But if the resolution includes $880 Billion in cuts, it will be much more difficult to stop farther down the line.

Action steps for constituents:

  • Use this call-in line to reach your member of Congress and say you oppose all Medicaid cuts: 866-426-2631. (Thank you to SEIU for providing the call-in number; it will remain open for the fight ahead!) See Community Catalyst Medicaid Defense Advocacy Toolkit for, call scripts, state fact sheet templates, unbranded sample social media posts, etc.).
  • Ask for a meeting or attend a Town Hall or other event while your Representative is in your district this week to register your concerns.
  • Email your Member of Congress with PIH’s action tool. 

RESOURCES:

 Protect Medicaid

Swanette Shares 2/13/25

This information was shared in an email from Swanette Salazar CCHW on 2/13/25, in her role as the Lead Community Health Worker Consultant – Rhode 2 Equity(CTC-RI). Some of this info is in the CHWARI Newsletter – some is not due to time issues. We will try to post updates like this on our website so that all resources are ‘out there!’ We are working on a way to coordinate communications better. 

Hello everyone,

If you are planning to visit Washington, D.C. in March for the NACHW Capitol Hill visit, I invite you to join us for the February CHW Voices session. Let’s come together to discuss how we can present a united front and make the greatest impact on our Rhode Island legislators during our visits to their offices in D.C! We want to ensure they are eager to learn more about #CHWsinRI.

You will hear from RI CHWs who attended last year, as well as insights from some of our national CHW advocacy partners who will share valuable advice to help us prepare.

Have you heard about…?

  • Share Your Story: The Impact of Federal Executive Orders
    • APHA is collecting stories on how recent executive orders—specifically federal funding halts and the elimination of DEI initiatives—are affecting communities, organizations, and public health efforts. Your input can help illustrate the real-world consequences of these policy changes. Share your experience and feel free to distribute widely: Submit your story.
  • Upcoming Community Outreach Perinatal Education Training | 4-day in-person doula training in March 8-5pm in Providence, RI
  • Refugee Dream Center on RI PBS!
  • What is a CCBHC? | Learn more here.
  • Meals on Wheels 2024 Annual Report
    • Volunteer drivers are needed to deliver meals to homebound older adults facing food insecurity and social isolation. Learn more and apply here.
      • Areas in greater need of volunteers are Providence, Newport, Warwick, and West Warwick

Advocacy & Legislation

  • Vot-ER 2025 Civic Health Fellowship applications open now. Deadline: March 16, 2025
    • 8-month journey to gain training on community organizing & civic engagement, build real-world skills & connections with civic health leaders, and create & launch a civic health campaign that drives impact. Learn more and apply here.
  • Common Cause RI: Demystifying Democracy Series | Understanding the State Budget Process | 3/29 at the Providence Public Library. RSVP here.
  • See the attached template from RIght from the Start to help share your voice via written testimony.
    • This can be very short and to the point. It makes a difference when they receive many letters to help share the thoughts and needs from the community. Your voice is important! Sharing your real stories can truly make a difference.
  • The Coalition to Improve RI Maternity Care
  • Community Voices needed to help advance expansion of community care for families. Connect with Urban Perinatal Education Center to share stories on other platforms.
https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/7f67fc6e-dd86-4f71-a6c5-9c44fdabcf41/Share%20Your%20StoryCPM(1).png/:/rs=w:686

Professional Development, Opportunities, Resources

  • CALL FOR CHW ABSTRACTS! RIPHA is not accepting proposals for the Student and CHW poster session for their annual summit, “Public Health: The Future is Now” on April 28, 2025. Submit proposal here. Reach out to riphasummit@gmail.com with questions and for further information
    • The session is a key feature of the summit aimed to highlight scientific, academic, advocacy, and other applied topics presented by students and CHWs and proposals must be aligned with the conference theme, “ Innovative Approaches to Advance Public Health: A Call to Collective Action.
    • These sessions will have both in-person and virtual options.
    • Submissions are open until Friday, March 7, 2025.
  • RI Association for Infant Mental Health (RIAIMH) Community Conversation Series
https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/7f67fc6e-dd86-4f71-a6c5-9c44fdabcf41/Learn%20More%20About%20Community%20Midwifery%202.2025.png/:/rs=w:686

Community Resources, Opportunities, & Events

https://files.constantcontact.com/d30ca80f101/8acc6e00-afcd-4cd5-ba34-0baa418d01b2.png?rdr=true
  • FSRI Mental Health First Aid Training | March 7th, 2025 | Download flier here. | Sign up here.
  • Volunteer needed to facilitate Refugee Dream Center’s Women Support Group
    • The group gathers every Thursday from 12-1pm and focus on fostering a supportive community for refugee women and assisting them in adapting to American culture.
    • For further details reach out via phone call at 401-300-0544, by email info@refugeedreamcenter.org, or by visiting their office at 747 Broad Street in Providence, RI.
  • Mental Health First Aid Training | March 18th, 2025 | Download flier here.
  • Friends Way Grief and Loss Support Group | Every other Monday in Central falls
  • Urban Perinatal Education Monthly Crochet Circle – March 6, 2025
https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/7f67fc6e-dd86-4f71-a6c5-9c44fdabcf41/March%20Crochet%20Circle%202025.png/:/rs=w:686

Self-care resources/events


Articles + Videos + Podcasts

Potential Grants, Funding, and Award Opportunities

  • RWJF is offering $50k for 30 communities to collect and leverage their local data! Learn more here!

Swanette Shares 12/30/24

Hi everyone,

Many of you know that this newsletter began with my work in Rhode to Equity and initially served as a weekly resource newsletter for the Rhode to Equity teams. It now covers various topics, primarily aimed at helping you build your toolkit and stay informed while sharing opportunities for you to make your voices heard.

In the coming year, I will begin transitioning out of this role. I want to emphasize the importance of continuing our connection and communication, as that is where real change begins. We all need to take action, but it’s not solely our responsibility! Together, we can achieve meaningful change. 😊

Please make sure to sign up for the CHWARI, RIDOH CHW Program, and NACHW newsletters to stay updated.

Stay Connected by signing up here.

What began with 18 CHWs and teams has now grown to over 170 CHWs and allies. Woohoo!! ❤

Have you heard about…?

  • Our wonderful partner, Mitchelle Abuna at RIDOH, many of you may know from previous focus groups and coding opportunities, is conducting a Community Resources Mapping Survey. We encourage you to take 5-10 minutes to complete this survey. Your participation will help Mitchelle gather data to better understand the distribution, qualifications, and focus areas of CHWs across the state. Thank you for your support! click here.
  • The Olmstead Act is coming to RI and they need our input from those living with disabilities, those who work with people with disabilities, caregivers, family, friends, etc. The two upcoming listening sessions for Olmstead will be held 1/3 and 1/7. See the attached PDFs to share with the community.
    • $50 stipend available!
    • These sessions will serve as a chance to speak about what is working and what is not working in this state for people living with disabilities.
    • To reserve a seat for these in-person sessions, register at www.oscil.org/olmstead  or call 401-738-1013.
    • Brown University is also holding an in-person session 1/7 and a virtual session on 1/8 5-6:30pm
  • The RI Public Health Association and RIDOH are collaborating on a new data-informed initiative focused on immunizations. This project aims to create community reports based on data to guide and support health promotion efforts, public health messaging, and related initiatives.
    • They are seeking 10-12 participants and aim to start with focus groups in early January via 2-hour Zoom sessions.
    • Compensation of $50 per hour for each participant
    • Currently seeking participants for 3 focus groups in Providence, Block Island, and in the Tribal Community.
    • What to expect: Discussions on experiences related to accessing and receiving vaccines, barriers faced, and ideas for developing and implementing health promotion materials for immunization
    • For more information contact Paola Henderson at Phenderson@carelinkri.org
  • The RIPIN Family Voices team is reevaluating their English Support Groups to better understand the needs of English-speaking parents and caregivers of a child with special health care needs . Please take a moment to share this survey with others to provide feedback that can help shape future support opportunities. Survey here.
  • Governor McKee and HealthSourceRI announce new flexibilities in place to help RI’ers stay connected to coverage for 2025 while they navigate the breach.

Advocacy & Legislation

Professional Development, Opportunities, Resources

Community Resources, Opportunities, & Events

  • See the attached “Know Your Rights Immigration” PDFs
  • RIDOH Family Visiting is recruiting for their 2025 Family Visiting Parent/Caregiver Advisory Council – see attached PDF for flyer in English and Spanish
    • Families receive $40 gift cards for attending each monthly session and they ask for 1-2 year commitment.
    • Meetings are virtual 5:30 – 7pm via Zoom and are a mix of providing input on services impacting pregnant people and families with young children.
    • Current families and recent graduates of Early Head Start, Early Intervention, First Connections, Healthy Families of America, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers are welcome to join!
  • Volunteer Opportunities for kids and adults at Roger Williams Park and Zoo. Learn more here.

Self-Care

Articles + Videos + Podcasts

Happy New Year!

Swanette

Swanette Salazar CCHW

Lead Community Health Worker – First Connections Program Lead Community Health Worker Consultant – Rhode 2 Equity(CTC-RI)

Roadmap Summit Recap

Roadmap Summit Recap!

On December 4, 2024, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) hosted a special summit at District Hall in Providence to celebrate the progress of the CHW Roadmap project including its four key components: CHW Role, Agency, and Leadership; Payment and Sustainability; Person, Place-based Coordination; and Workforce Development for Supervisors and CHWs.

  At the summit, 78 attendees gathered to hear from the four CHW Roadmap teams, who shared their progress, accomplishments, and challenges.

The summit was opened by Jerome Larkin, MD, Director of Health, RIDOH, and Deborah Garneau, MA, Maternal Child Health Director, RIDOH, both of whom emphasized the work of the implementation teams as well as the vital role of the community health worker in Rhode Island. Sherri Ohly, Envision Co-Director, then led a discussion on Sustaining CHW’s in times of change followed by a session on Civic Engagement co-led by Arthur Handy, Representative District 18, State of Rhode Island & Special Project Manager, FSRI and Cristy Romero, CHW, Jenks Park Pediatrics, FSRI.

The day concluded with a world fair which was a valuable opportunity for feedback and collaboration, allowing CHWs and stakeholders to identify key connection points and strategies to propel the work forward. Closing remarks where provided by Kristine Campagna, Associate Director of Health, Division of Community Health and Equity (RIDOH) and James Day, CPS, Health Program Administrator, RIDOH.

Sign up to join the CHW strategy meetings here and view the full roadmap.

Swanette Shares 12/16/24

This information was shared in an email from Swanette Salazar CCHW on 12/16/24, in her role as the Lead Community Health Worker Consultant – Rhode 2 Equity(CTC-RI). Some of this info is in the CHWARI Newsletter – some is not due to time issues. We will try to post updates like this on our website so that all resources are ‘out there!’ We are working on a way to coordinate communications better. 

Hi everyone,

As we approach the holiday season, I invite you to reflect on all you are grateful for and the amazing accomplishments we have made. Let’s also think about the challenges and use these lessons to improve next year.

I appreciate your friendship, the community we are building, and our partnership. I am also thankful for the dedicated workforce of community leaders in Rhode Island who unite with a common goal: to make our state a better place for everyone.

Have you heard about…?

  • The Stanford Center for Early Childhood is looking to interview first-time fathers. They are hoping to gain more understanding on the involvement and roles fathers play in feeding their young children. Learn more here.
  • Minimum wage is increasing in 2025 in RI from $14 to $15 an hour.
  • Local Social Security offices are no longer taking walk-in appointments. Learn how to get help here.
  • The Care Transformation Collaborative of Rhode Island (CTC-RI), in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), is excited to offer up to 15 Community Health Workers the opportunity to participate in the Asthma Basics Training Program. This comprehensive program spans two days in-person sessions, totaling 9 hours with a virtual assessment via zoom (to be scheduled on the last day of class). See the attached PDF for more information.
    • Apply here.  – Applications Open: December 11, 2024  –  Applications due: January 17, 2024
  • This year’s public statement from the Surgeon General calls attention to the importance of parental stress, mental health and well-being, stressors unique to parenting, and the bidirectional relationship between parental mental health and child outcomes. Find more resources here.

Advocacy & Legislation

Professional Development, Opportunities, Resources

Community Resources, Opportunities, & Events

  • Youth-Led Holiday Community Event – 12/14 from 9-1pm . Flyer here. Community youths and Y4US Hope Gardeners by CC4ES created various Rhody Grows Hope items (repurposed from the recyclables) as holiday gift items, and are facilitating this community event.

Self-Care

Articles + Videos + Podcasts

Potential Funding Opportunities and Request for proposals

Happy Holidays!

Swanette

Swanette Salazar CCHW

Lead Community Health Worker – First Connections Program

Lead Community Health Worker Consultant – Rhode 2 Equity(CTC-RI)
salazarsw@familyserviceri.org

I use she/her/hers pronouns! How about you?

CHW Gets Grant to Continue Latinx Support Group!!!!

Congratulations to CCHW Wiston Delgado and the members of RI’s Latinx CHW Support Group! There aren’t enough emojis to show how excited we are!  

This group was started two years ago with seed money from RIDOH’s CDC grant and was supported by CHWARI and our former Bilingual Program Coordinator, Lina Roman.  It was created it to give Spanish speaking CHWs a much needed place to prevent compassion fatigue and share resources in their native language. This fall, when the original funding source expired, Wiston Delgado, CCHW, applied for the funding necessary to keep the group going… and the Rhode Island Foundation’s Juanita Sánchez Community Fund said yes!  

Wiston is excited to share, “I never tried anything like this before, but as a CHW, the thing we do is make connections. I read about the funding source for Rhode Island Latinos in a newsletter. Then I asked the director of a non-profit I knew if they would sponsor my application. They helped me do it.  When the letter came last week I couldn’t believe it!”  A big shout out the Educational Center for Arts & Science (Teatro ECAS) for agreeing to be a non-profit partner with Wiston to make the group eligible for the grant!

Tonya Glantz, of Rhode Island College’s Institute for Eductation in Healthcare and CHWARI, shared, “IEH and CHWARI applaud the continued success of the Latinx support group.  Their dedication to upholding the voices of this group is inspiring and is creating change within the field of community health work.”

The support group’s next meeting will be their in-person holiday gathering on 12/20 from 3pm-5pm. (We originally had it at the wrong time!).  Space is limited but if you would like to attend, you can email Wiston.

They will resume their regular zoom schedule on January 14th at noon. In addition to their meetings they have a very active WhatsApp chat for members to share resources and receive support daily. 

Join them to get the support you need to do the hard work you do!!!!