Free COVID-19 Bivalent Boosters Offered at Upcoming Community Vaccination Clinics

The Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island schools are offering COVID-19 vaccination clinics to help people get their COVID-19 bivalent boosters. Clinics are open to students and community members. To guarantee an appointment, we recommend registering at the links below.

Vaccines are free. You do not need to have insurance to get your booster dose. If you do have insurance, please bring your card to your appointment. Please note that there are different registration links for people age 5 through 11 and people age 12 or older.

Wednesday, March 22 (3-5 p.m.)
Paul Cuffee Lower School (cafeteria), 459 Promenade St., Providence: 

• Paul Cuffee Lower School (ages 5-11)
• Paul Cuffee Lower School (ages 12+)

Tuesday, March 28 (4-6:30 p.m.)
Providence Career and Technical Academy (cafeteria), 41 Fricker St., Providence:

• PCTA (ages 5-11)
• PCTA (ages 12+)

Thursday, March 30 (3-5 p.m.)
Paul Cuffee High School (cafeteria), 544 Elmwood Ave., Providence:

• Paul Cuffee High School (ages 5-11)
• Paul Cufee High School (ages 12+)

For more information about COVID-19 vaccination and to learn about other COVID-19 vaccination options, please visit c19vaccineri.org or vaccines.gov.

NIEHS is thrilled to announce our participation in PAR-23-112, Addressing the Impact of Structural Racism and Discrimination on Minority Health and Health Disparities. This initiative will support intervention research that addresses structural racism and discrimination (SRD) in order to improve minority health or reduce health disparities.

Please share with your networks!

Please direct inquires to Lindsey Martin (lindsey.martin@nih.gov).

Application Due Dates:

March 24, 2023

October 10, 2023

October 9, 2024

October 9, 2025

NIEHS is interested in applications that are within scope of our 2018-2023 Strategic Plan, that meet the criteria established in this FOA, and focus on intervention research that mitigates or prevents the impacts of environmental exposures on communities due to structural racism and discrimination (SRD). Examples of environmental exposures which are considered of primary interest for NIEHS include but are not limited to: industrial chemicals or manufacturing byproducts, metals, pesticides, herbicides, air pollutants and other inhaled toxicants, particulates, or fibers, fungal, and bacterial or biologically derived toxins. Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize community engaged research approaches that ensure equity, such as including community partners as part of the research team along with letters of support from community partners. Applications that demonstrate collaborative (i.e., community-academic partnerships) intervention approaches to address the negative health effects of SRD across multiple populations with environmental health disparities will be prioritized. NIEHS is particularly interested in intervention research on a subtype of SRD – environmental racism. For the purposes of this FOA, environmental racism includes the use of racist and discriminatory practices in determining which communities receive health-protective (i.e., green space) or health-harming infrastructure (i.e., industrial complexes). Areas of specific interest to NIEHS include, but are not limited to:

• Interventions that prevent or mitigate single or combined environmental exposures disproportionately affecting the health of one or more communities impacted by environmental racism
• Interventions that address the disproportionate health impacts of exposures due to climate change, extreme weather and natural or human caused disasters on communities affected by environmental racism
• Interventions that prevent or mitigate disproportionate exposures in the built environment (e.g., mold or lead in housing, lack of greenspace) attributed to systemic neighborhood disinvestment
• Interventions that address the role of environmental racism in occupational exposures
• Interventions that promote the resiliency of communities experiencing environmental racism

CLC to IBCLC Research Survey

This survey is meant to gauge community interest in being trained to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). In collaboration with Our Journ3i LLC & RI DOH MCH, we are exploring expanding state breastfeeding supports by creating a fully funded program that would train and license diverse community members as IBCLCs. Your input will assist us in the evaluation of the potential expansion of this workforce in RI.

Deadline to complete survey February 28, 2023.

As Providence, Kent, and Newport Counties are now at a high COVID-19 Community Level, the Rhode Island Department of Health has opened mobile pop-up COVID-19 testing in Providence and West Warwick. You can find the schedule as it is updated here. 

Currently, RIDOH is offering COVID-19 testing at: 

• Scalabrini Dukcevich Center: 300 Laurel Hill Ave. Providence, RI 02909 
• South Providence Library: 441 Prairie Ave. Providence, RI 02905 
• Washington Park Library: 1316 Broad St. Providence, RI 02905 
• West Warwick Public Library: 1043 Main St. West Warwick, RI 02893 

Please help us share this information in your community. Our Community COVID-19 Testing Event Marketing Toolkit is a supportive resource for helping get the word out.

Testing is located at community-based organizations in ZIP codes that have been identified as high-density communities. Testing at these locations is intended for people in the local community.  

• Data has shown that residents in these ZIP codes have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
• By increasing access to fast, free, and effective COVID-19 testing, RIDOH hopes to curb the spread of COVID-19 in these counties while the community levels remain in high.
• Knowing whether you’re positive for COVID-19 means you can take actions that will help keep you and others out of the hospital, like getting treatment as soon as possible and isolating away from others who may get very sick. If you need help isolating, call RIDOH at 401-222-8022.
• All of RIDOH’s community testing locations are walk-up (without an appointment) and offer rapid testing only.
• We continue to work with community partners to identify additional testing locations in Providence and Kent counties.

COVID-19 testing is available at many other locations across the state, like pharmacies, clinics, and doctors’ offices. You can also test yourself for COVID-19 at home. Federal programs are available to support free COVID-19 testing and treatment for people who are sick. 

• CDC’s Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program supports free COVID-19 testing for people who have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. To find an ICATT site near you, visit cdc.gov/icatt/AboutICATT.html  
• Rhode Island also has several Test to Treat sites, where patients can get tested for COVID-19 and, if they’re positive and eligible, get a prescription for treatment all at one location. To find a Test to Treat site near you, visit aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat. 
• For more information about locations that offer COVID-19 testing services and where you can get free self-tests, visit covid.ri.gov/testing. 

Resources for partners: 

·       COVID-19 testing event marketing toolkit 

·       Mobile COVID-19 testing schedule and site information 

·       COVID-19 testing information 

·       COVID-19 vaccine and booster information 

·       Test to Treat locator 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where are these test sites located? 

For a list of RIDOH’s mobile COVID-19 test sites, please refer to this spreadsheet. Addresses, site directions, and the nearest Test to Treat site are included in the document.  

Although no one will be turned away from one of these test sites, please know that they are intended for people living in the local community. COVID-19 testing is available at many other locations across the state (refer to question 5 below). For more information, visit covid.ri.gov/testing.  

2. What type of testing is available at these sites and who is eligible? 

Rapid antigen tests will be used at these test sites. Testing is prioritized for people who have symptoms of COVID-19, but people will not be turned away if they don’t have symptoms.  

Although no one will be turned away from one of these test sites, please know that they are intended for people living in the local community. COVID-19 testing is available at many other locations across the state (refer to question 4 below). For more information, visit covid.ri.gov/testing. 

3. Why is RIDOH testing in these communities only? 

Data has shown that residents in these zip codes have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. By increasing access to fast, free, and effective COVID-19 testing, RIDOH hopes to curb the spread of COVID-19 in these communities while the county remains in high.  

4. Will RIDOH reopen State-run test sites like before? 

If all five Rhode Island counties move into the high COVID-19 community level, RIDOH is prepared to temporarily reopen State-run test sites at additional locations throughout the state if needed. These test sites will offer rapid testing by appointment only to Rhode Islanders who have symptoms.  

Right now, Providence County and Kent County remain in the high COVID-19 community level. Bristol, Newport, and Washington counties remain in medium. To monitor Rhode Island’s COVID-19 community levels by county, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus. 

5. Where else can people get tested for COVID-19? 

COVID-19 testing is available at many local pharmacies, clinics, and doctors’ offices. Most locations require an appointment, so it’s very important that you call or go online first to schedule your test.  

CDC’s Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program supports free COVID-19 testing for people who have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. To find an ICATT site near you, visit cdc.gov/icatt. 

Rhode Island also has several Test to Treat sites, where patients can get tested for COVID-19 and, if they’re positive and eligible, get a prescription for treatment all at one location. To find a Test to Treat site near you, visit aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat. 

You can also test yourself for COVID-19 at home. Self-tests are a fast and reliable way to find out if you have COVID-19. Right now, all households are eligible to order four more free COVID-19 self-tests from the federal government. Placing an order online or by phone is free and insurance is not required. To order online, visit COVIDTests.gov. To order by phone, call 1-800-232-0233. 

This time of the year can be tough for many. Here are some mental and behavioral health resources available in RI. This list was compiled by one of our awesome CHWs. Some of the information may have changed – but it’s a start!

Some helpful PDFs:

• What is a Licensed Community Mental Health Center? (And where can I find one?) PDF

• BIPOC Mental Health Resource List in RI PDF

• Mental Health Association of RI E-resource Guide: BRIDGING THE DIVIDE TO EMOTIONAL WELLNESS

• 988 Fact Sheet

And some links to resources:

• Find Help is a great new site, check it out: https://www.findhelp.org/

• RI Open Beds for recovery housing: https://www.ribhopenbeds.org/

• FSRI has Emergency Response Services that can help some families.
  • Referral form here: https://www.familyserviceri.org/find-help/ or call intake at 401-519-2280 if you have any questions about the program or their eligibility requirements.
  • They offer same-day in-person services for any children under 18yrs old experiencing mental/behavioral health emergencies. Children’s Mobile Crisis has its own on-call phone number which can be reached at 401-854-6678.

• Oasis Wellness and Recovery Centers (Facebook page here)
  • Oasis Recovery and Wellness Center provides a wide range of daily peer support activities and trainings to promote recovery from mental illness and to allow members to embrace fulfilling paid or volunteer work in the community.  Phone: (401) 831-6937   Email: info@oasis-ri.org

• Family Connections LLC: https://familyconnectionsri.com/
  • Sometimes offers visits at the home

• Anchor Recovery: https://anchorrecovery.providencecenter.org/

• Interfaith Counseling center: https://interfaithri.org/

• Man therapy health campaign: https://www.mantherapy.org/

• BH Link: https://www.bhlink.org/services

• Kids Link: https://www.lifespan.org/centers-services/kids-link-ri

• 9-8-8: https://988lifeline.org/ 

RICB is accepting applications from Certified Community Health Workers (CCHWs) who are interested in participating in updating the Content Outline. During this focus group meeting, participants will discuss domains (overarching categories), knowledge, tasks, and competencies that relate to the various job functions of a CCHW. We are seeking professionals with diverse backgrounds to participate in this process. RICB will train all participants prior to the meeting.

By submitting this application, you agree to participate in a one-hour training webinar (multiple dates will be scheduled) and to attend the focus group meeting. The focus group meeting will be held in August via Zoom. It will be scheduled for 2 consecutive days for 4 hours each day. 

Continuing education hours will be issued to professionals. These hours can be used for recertification.

In order to be considered for participation in this process, professionals must hold a current and valid CCHW through RICB. No exceptions will be made. To be sure we have as diverse group as possible, and fairly represent the profession, all questions in this survey must be answered. Incomplete applications will not be considered for selection.

If you know a qualified professional for this process, please share this email with them. Thank you in advance for your assistance in making this a success.

The deadline to complete this application is May 23, 2022. Selected professionals will be notified in June 2022.

Please allow 20-30 minutes to complete this application. You will be required to upload a CV or resume at the end of the application.

Click here to begin the application.

Financial Support for Higher Education!
Employer Info Session
Monday May 9, 10am

With funding made available to Medicaid through the American Rescue Plan Act, EOHHS is launching a Health Professional Equity Initiative that will offer comprehensive academic, social, and financial support for HCBS (Home & Community Based Services) paraprofessionals to pursue a pathway leading to higher education credentials, degrees, and/or professional licensure – at no cost to your agency or employees.

To make this possible, EOHHS is investing $3 million in a partnership withRI Reconnect [rireconnect.org], a program run bythe RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (RIOPC).  Here’s how it will work: 

First, we will hold two Employer Information Sessions for you to learn more about this program so that you can inform and encourage your staff to consider this opportunity.  These sessions will be held on:

Monday, May 9 from 10 – 11 AM 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83686513071?pwd=c0VyK1ZXUURxc2dFM3ZrRTFaYjFyUT09

Meeting ID:  836 8651 3071

Passcode:  795078

Tuesday, May 10 from 1 – 2 PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81726861784?pwd=azIxRWhHMXZPcDc2bTU5bE9XdnVFZz09

Meeting ID: 817 2686 1784

Passcode:  545922

Second, the RI Reconnect program will meet with eligible employees to provide them with information about the Health Professional Equity Initiative.  These meetings can be held in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, and online or in-person.

A major goal of this initiative is to help employees understand higher education options (undergraduate and graduate degrees) that may help with their career progression. For those employees that express interest, RI Reconnect “Navigators” will assess their educational and professional background, and assist them with identifying and mapping a degree pathway which they can use to apply for this upskilling opportunity based on program criteria and eligibility. Once a person is selected for this program, Navigators will provide assistance with applying, enrolling, and progressing through an educational path, cover tuition expenses, identify any barriers to success (i.e. technology, childcare, transportation, etc.), provide funded wrap-around supports to remove identified barriers, and ensure they remain meaningfully engaged in their educational opportunities and their jobs.  All of these services are offered at no-cost to the participant or to your organization.

EOHHS is committed to using American Rescue Plan funds to support HCBS agencies and workers and to increasing equity, diversity, and cultural and linguistic competence among HCBS health professionals in Rhode Island.  We look forward to meeting with you next week!

 

The Commission for Health Advocacy & Equity is seeking new members. We’d love to see a CHW become a commissioner!

The Commission’s Mission: 

1. To advocate for the integration of activities that will help achieve health equity;
2. To advise the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) on racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic health disparities;
3. To develop and coordinate the expertise and experience of the state’s health and human services, housing, transportation, education, environment, community development, and labor systems to develop a comprehensive health equity plan that addresses the social determinants of health;
4. To develop health equity goals and plans in alignment with other statewide planning activities; and
5. To educate State agencies on health disparities.

To apply, go to the Commission’s website and scroll to “Interested in Becoming a Commission Member.”  For questions email Michelle Wilson.  After you apply, please let James Day know so we can track CHW applications!  Good Luck!