Black Maternal Health Conference

Friday, April 8th, 2022
10 AM – 5 PM ET
5th Annual Black Maternal Health Conference (BMHC)

Get ready to be part of an enlightening day of learning and connecting with doulas, researchers, government officials and other experts on Black maternal health.  For the past five years the BMHC, led by Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, has addressed Black maternal health disparities from different themes.  The theme for 2022’s conference is “The Role of Policy in Addressing Black Maternal Health Disparities”. This conference will benefit public health/medical professionals, community organizers, students and anyone invested in supporting Black maternal health.
Register at https://www.accelevents.com/e/bmhc

$100 Gift Card for CHW Test Group Participation

Traducción al español a continuación.

Pro-Change Behavior Systems, Inc. is a small Rhode Island health behavior change company. We are working on an interactive text message program (called bRIght communities) to improve the health of all Rhode Islanders. If people are at risk of high blood sugar, the program will urge them to sign up for the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDCs) free Diabetes Prevention Program. The program will be available in English and Spanish.

Pro-Change is looking for English and Spanish-speaking usability testers who will: 1) participate in a half-hour virtual meeting to learn about and share thoughts about the program, 2) receive texts from the program for 10 days, 3) provide feedback on their experience in a 1.5 hour virtual interview. Testers will receive a $100 gift card (Amazon, Wal-Mart, or Visa) for participating. Usability testing will take place in March of 2022.

Participants must be Rhode Island residents who are age 18 or older, do not have diabetes, and are not pregnant. 

We are specifically interested in including Community Health Workers as usability testers. We believe their unique experiences in this role will provide crucial feedback to help us improve the program before launching state-wide in May. 

If you are working with a community member who may be interested, please feel free to share this opportunity with them. We especially want to include the voice of underrepresented communities.

To learn more, please text/call Sara Balestrieri at 401-360-2983 or email sbalestrieri@prochange.com.

Pro-Change Behavior Systems es una compañía de cambio de comportamiento de salud en South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Están trabajando en el desarrollo de un programa de mensajes de texto para mejorar la salud de todos los habitantes de Rhode Island. Si las personas corren el riesgo de tener un nivel alto de azúcar en la sangre, el programa les urgirá inscribirse en el programa gratuito de prevención de la diabetes de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC). Como hemos hablado con usted en el pasado sobre el Programa de Prevención de la Diabetes, pensamos en usted. El programa estará disponible en inglés y español.

Pro-Change está buscando personas que hablan inglés o español para probar un programa. Ellos: 1) participarán en una reunión virtual de media hora para conocer y compartir opiniones sobre el programa, 2) recibirán mensajes de texto del programa durante 10 días, 3) brindarán comentarios sobre su experiencia en una entrevista virtual de una media hora. Recibirán una tarjeta de regalo de $100 (Amazon, Wal-Mart o Visa) por participar. Las pruebas del programa y las entrevistas se realizarán en marzo de 2022.

Los participantes deben ser residentes de Rhode Island mayores de 18 años, no tener diabetes y no estar embarazadas.

Estamos interesados en incluir trabajadores comunitarios de la salud en esta prueba del programa. Creemos que sus experiencias únicas en este puesto brindarán comentarios cruciales para ayudarnos a mejorar el programa antes de lanzarlo en todo el estado en mayo.

Si está trabajando con un miembro de la comunidad que pueda estar interesado, no dude en compartir esta oportunidad con ellos. Especialmente queremos incluir la voz de diversas comunidades.

Para obtener más información, llame a Sara Balestrieri al 401-360-2983 o envíe correo electrónico: sbalestrieri@prochange.com.

Vaccine Hesitation SURVEY!

ATTN: AFRICAN AMERICAN CHWS 50 YRS AND OLDER

The Office of Regional Health Operations (ORHO) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), is requesting your support in an important initiative aimed at increasing community knowledge and confidence in vaccines among older African American adults with a focus on community health workers (CHWs).

We would like to invite you to participate in a brief online survey specific to vaccine messaging and vaccine uptake. Survey responses will be anonymous and should take about 20 minutes to complete.   Your participation is important and will help ORHO to:

  • Assess the effectiveness of culturally appropriate promotional materials to increase community knowledge of and confidence in herpes zoster and pneumococcal vaccines among African American CHWs over the age of 50.
  • Assess perceptions of risk, barriers, and motivations related to general uptake of adult vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.

We would appreciate you disseminating this survey within your organization and networks, particularly among African American CHWs aged 50 and older.

Accessing the Survey

To access and complete the survey, please click on the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RI-CHW-Survey.  This link can also be forwarded to individuals and organizations within your networks. We kindly request that the survey be completed no later than Monday February 28, 2022.
Thank you in advance for your participation. If you have any questions about this project, please contact Corstella Johnson (corstella.johnson@hhs.gov). If you are having technical difficulties completing the survey, please contact CHWsurveyhelp@mayatech.com.

Project Overview
ORHO connects people, convenes local partners, and establishes networks to promote and advance the public health and safety of the American people. Regional Health Administrators (RHAs) within each of the 10 HHS Regional Offices serve to foster coordination and collaboration across federal departments and HHS agencies and as extensions of OASH to ensure that HHS priorities are translated and implemented at the local, state, tribal, and national levels.

Register for HEZ Learning Community by RIDOH

Registration is now open for the February 2022 HEZ Learning Community, a three-day series of virtual workshops and learning experiences from February 1 – February 3, 2022! Sessions will cover topics including climate change, policy advocacy, the built environment, and more.

Preguntas frecuentes de ordenar la pruebas COVID

(Frequently Asked Questions about Ordering COVID Tests. English translation at the bottom.)

Preubas COVID: https://www.covidtests.gov/es/ COVID Tests: https://www.covidtests.gov/

Preguntas frecuentes

¿Quién puede ordenar pruebas como parte de este programa?

Las pruebas están disponibles para cada dirección residencial en Estados Unidos, incluyendo los territorios de EE. UU. y direcciones de bases militares y diplomáticas (APO/FPO/DPO).

¿Cómo puedo ordenar pruebas y cuándo?

Puede ordenar las pruebas por internet en COVIDtests.gov/es. Las pruebas serán enviadas en un plazo de 7 a 12 días a partir del pedido.

Para hacer un pedido solo necesita su nombre y dirección residencial. No necesita un documento de identidad, tarjeta de crédito o información de seguro médico. También puede compartir su correo electrónico para recibir actualizaciones sobre su pedido.

¿Hay un límite en el número de pruebas que puedo ordenar?

Sí. Para promover un mayor acceso a pruebas, el programa inicial solo permitirá ordenar 4 pruebas individuales por dirección residencial.

¿Puedo ordenar más pruebas si vivo en un hogar donde viven muchas personas o multigeneracional?

No. Para promover un mayor acceso a pruebas, el programa inicial solo permitirá ordenar 4 pruebas individuales por dirección residencial.

Existen otras opciones para hacerse pruebas de forma gratuita, incluyendo más de 20,000 centros a través del país. Si tiene seguro médico, su plan también cubrirá el costo de las pruebas caseras de venta libre (en inglés) (hasta 8 pruebas caseras por mes para cada persona incluida en su plan).

¿Pueden los estadounidenses que viven fuera de EE. UU. ordenar estas pruebas gratis?

Las pruebas están disponibles para cada dirección residencial en EE. UU., incluyendo los territorios de EE. UU. y las direcciones de bases militares y diplomáticas (APO/FPO/DPO).

¿Puedo escoger qué tipo o marca de prueba voy a recibir?

Todas las pruebas distribuidas como parte de este programa son pruebas caseras de antígeno aprobadas por la FDA. Usted no podrá seleccionar la marca de la prueba al momento de hacer su pedido.

¿Cuándo recibiré mis pruebas y cómo se enviarán?

Estas pruebas llegarán por correo a través del Servicio Postal de Estados Unidos (USPS, sigla en inglés). Las pruebas serán enviadas en un plazo de 7 a 12 días a partir del pedido.

Todas las órdenes en Estados Unidos continental se enviarán por el servicio de paquete de primera clase (“First Class Package Service”). Las órdenes a Alaska, Hawaii, los territorios de EE. UU. y a las direcciones de bases militares y diplomáticas (APO/FPO/DPO) fuera del país se enviarán por el servicio de “Priority Mail”.

¿Podré rastrear mi orden?

Sí. Tendrá la opción de proveer su correo electrónico para recibir notificaciones con actualizaciones sobre el estado de su orden.

Una vez que se envíe su pedido, recibirá un correo electrónico con una fecha aproximada de entrega y un número de seguimiento. Usted podrá rastrear el estado de su pedido en USPS.com.

Todas las órdenes en Estados Unidos continental se enviarán por el servicio de paquete de primera clase (“First Class Package Service”). Los envíos a Alaska, Hawaii, los territorios de EE. UU. y a las direcciones de bases militares y diplomáticas fuera del país se enviarán por el servicio de “Priority Mail”.

¿Puedo recoger mis pruebas en algún lugar o pedir que las guarden en mi oficina local de correo en vez de que las envíen a mi casa?

No. Este programa ha sido diseñado para enviar pruebas gratis a su casa a través del correo postal.

¿Con quien me puedo comunicar si ordené mis pruebas pero todavía no han llegado?

Si necesita ayuda con un problema relacionado con el envío, póngase en contacto con el USPS.

¿Las pruebas incluyen instrucciones sobre cómo usarlas?

Sí. Las pruebas incluirán instrucciones sobre cómo usarlas.

¿Cuándo debo usar mis pruebas?

Los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por su sigla en inglés) recomienda que usted se haga una prueba casera:

  • si empieza a presentar síntomas de COVID-⁠19 como fiebre, dolor de garganta, moqueo o pérdida del gusto o del olfato,
  • al menos 5 días después de entrar en contacto cercano con alguien con COVID-⁠19, o
  • cuando vaya a reunirse con un grupo de personas, especialmente con aquellas que corren riesgo de padecer una enfermedad grave o que pueden no estar al día con sus vacunas de COVID-⁠19.

Para más información sobre cuándo usar pruebas caseras, revise las últimas recomendaciones de los CDC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can order tests as part of this program?

Tests are available for every residential address in the U.S., including U.S. Territories and overseas military and diplomatic addresses (APO/FPO/DPO).

How can I order tests and when?

Tests can be ordered online at COVIDtests.gov. Tests will usually ship within 7-12 days of ordering.

To place an order, all you need is your name and residential address. No ID, credit card, or health insurance information is required. You may also share your email address to get updates on your order.

Is there a limit to how many tests I can order?

Yes. To promote broad access, the initial program will only allow #44 free individual tests per residential address.

Can I order more tests if I live in a large or multigenerational household?

No. To promote broad access, the initial program will only allow #44 free individual tests per residential address.

There are numerous other options to get tested for free, including over 20,000 free testing sites across the country. If you have health insurance, your insurance will also cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home tests (up to 8 at-home tests per month for each person on your plan).

Can Americans living outside of the U.S. request these free tests?

Tests are available for every residential address in the U.S., including U.S. Territories and overseas military and diplomatic addresses (APO/FPO/DPO).

Can I choose what type or brand of test I get?

All tests distributed as part of this program are FDA-authorized at-home rapid antigen tests. You will not be able to choose the brand you order as part of this program.

When will I get my tests and how will they be delivered?

These tests will be delivered in the mail through the U.S. Postal Service. Tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering.

All orders within the continental United States will be sent through First Class Package Service. Shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories, and overseas military and diplomatic addresses (APO/FPO/DPO) will be sent through Priority Mail.

Will I be able to track when my order status?

Yes. There is an option for you to provide an email address to receive email notifications with shipping updates.

Once your order is shipped, you will receive an email with an estimated delivery date and a tracking number. You can track the status of your delivery on USPS.com.

All orders within the continental United States will be sent through First Class Package Service. Shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories, and overseas military and diplomatic addresses (APO/FPO/DPO) will be sent through Priority Mail.

Can I pick up my tests somewhere or have them held at my local Post Office instead of getting them shipped to my home?

No. This program is designed to send free tests to your home through the mail.

Who do I contact if I ordered my tests but they have not been delivered?

To get help with a delivery issue, please contact USPS.

Will my tests come with instructions on how to use them?

Yes. Tests will have instructions on how to use them.

When should I use my tests?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you take an at-home test:

  • If you begin having COVID-⁠19 symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or
  • At least 5 days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-⁠19, or
  • When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-⁠19 vaccines.

For more on when to use at-home tests, see the latest CDC self-testing guidance.

Call for Abstracts!

Call for Abstracts | International Symposium


THE PATIENT AND THE PRACTITIONER IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGY: PROTECTING HEALING RELATIONSHIPS 
Research, Innovative Projects and Practical Solutions from the United States and Around the World

October 14-16, 2022 | Providence, RI, USA

 

Submission Portal


CONFERENCE OVERVIEW: This 2022 live international symposium, sponsored by The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, will bring together researchers, innovators, and problem solvers from the United States and around the world to address research, innovative projects, and practical solutions to promote compassionate, healing relationships in healthcare as technology transforms clinical interactions, incorporating lessons from the pandemic. We shall explore this topic from a variety of perspectives with diverse patients and caregivers, practitioners, educators, technology designers and vendors, government leaders, institutional leaders, and healthcare stakeholders. 

The Scientific Committee is particularly interested in abstracts that explore the following themes:Lessons from the pandemic about promoting healing relationships in healthcareRelationships matter more than ever in healthcare, and health information technology (HIT) is changing themAddressing inequity in the social and digital determinants of healthDesigning human-centered HIT – for practitioners and patientsTeaching HIT use to empower relationship-based careDeveloping HIT competencies throughout healthcareStaying well in the evolving world of HITWorking with government, institutions, and stakeholders to protect and promote healing relationships and human capitalShared data: implications, ethics, and stewardshipAddressing misinformation and the misuse of HIT and social media
Submissions must be received on or before January 16, 2022, at 11:59 pm EST

We look forward to reviewing research, innovative projects, and practical solutions. Work in progress will be considered.
 
Conference Website
For more information, please contact the Brown CME Office: Ph: 401-863-3337 | Email: CME@Brown.edu

Supported in part by:

Learn How to Bill Medicaid for CHW Services!

Save the Dates! 
CHW Provider Enrollment & Billing Training

Now that Medicaid is preparing to begin reimbursing for some CHW services, CHWs need to learn how to bill for their time. The RI Executive Office of Health & Human Services is hoping to offer trainings on these dates: 

January 14, 11am-12:30pm
January 20, 3pm-4:30pm

The same material will be covered at both sessions. The training will include an overview of the CHW benefit from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and detailed instruction from Gainwell (the company that operates the Medicaid billing system) on the processes to enroll as a Medicaid CHW Provider and to submit claims for payment.

Please note that these training dates may change. CHWARI will send out an announcement with Zoom link once dates are finalized and registration opens. 

For questions about the training, email Amy Katzen at amy.katzen.ctr@ohhs.ri.gov.