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RI CHW Conference 2025

Name: RI CHW Conference 2025
Start: 2025-06-26T08:30:00-04:00
End: 2025-06-26T15:00:00-04:00

June 26, 2025 : 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Evaluation Link

The Rhode Island Department of Health is excited to present 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 conference has been funded by the CCR grant (Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient Communities initiative, a grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). We acknowledge the partnership of CTC-RI and thank them for their organizational support for this conference!

Agenda:

(click to view PDF):

Workshops with Resources:

CHWs in Our Community: Working Across Diverse Settings

CHWs in Action: Impact Across Multiple Sectors
This session will highlight the many titles CHWs hold, the challenges of integration, and the power of CHW leadership in creating more equitable systems. CHWs will share personal stories and strategies for working in multidisciplinary teams while staying rooted in community care, advocacy, and lived experience. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the value CHWs bring across sectors—and what true integration looks like.

Spanish: Esta sesión destacará los múltiples roles que desempeñan los promotores de salud, los desafíos de su integración y el poder de liderazgo de los CHWs para crear sistemas más equitativos. Los CHWs compartirán historias personales y estrategias para trabajar en equipos multidisciplinarios, manteniéndose siempre arraigados en el cuidado comunitario, la defensa de derechos y la experiencia vivida. Los participantes saldrán con una comprensión más profunda del valor que aportan los CHWs en distintos sectores—y de lo que significa una integración verdadera.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing: A Compassionate Way of Being
Develop your Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills—a person-centered, compassionate approach that enhances the CHW role. Participants will learn how MI fosters a safe and trusting environment where individuals feel empowered to share openly. They will practice guided conversation techniques that support informed decisions and encourage readiness for positive action aligned with person-centered values and aspirations.

Spanish: Desarrolla tus habilidades en la Entrevista Motivacional (EM), un enfoque compasivo y centrado en la persona que fortalece el rol del promotor de salud. Los participantes aprenderán cómo la EM fomenta un ambiente seguro y de confianza, donde las personas se sienten con poder para expresarse abiertamente. Practicarán técnicas de conversación guiada que apoyan decisiones informadas y fomentan la disposición a tomar acciones positivas alineadas con los valores y aspiraciones de la persona.

Download Slide Presentation

Resources:

* MI Exercise for CHWs
*Agenda Setting Tool – Sample
*Agenda Setting Tool – Blank

CHWs in Research: Empowering Community Voices

CHWs in Research: Empowering Community Voices through Research
This interactive session brings together Community Health Workers (CHWs) and a guest researcher to explore how CHWs can play powerful roles in community-engaged research (CER). Panelists will share personal experiences with the CHW Research Training, highlight how culture, trust, and lived experience shape inclusive research, and discuss the future of CHW involvement in CER. Attendees will leave with practical insights and inspiration to get involved in research that centers community voice.

Spanish: Esta sesión interactiva reúne a promotores de salud (CHWs) y a una investigadora invitada para explorar cómo los CHWs pueden desempeñar roles clave en la investigación participativa comunitaria (CER, por sus siglas en inglés). Los panelistas compartirán experiencias personales con la Capacitación en Investigación para CHWs, destacarán cómo la cultura, la confianza y las experiencia vivida dan forma a una investigación inclusiva, y hablarán sobre el futuro de la participación de los CHWs en la investigación comunitaria. Los participantes saldrán con ideas prácticas e inspiración para involucrarse en investigaciones que centren la voz de la comunidad.

Download Slide Presentation

Resource: Best Practices in CHW Evaluation and Research

Equity by Us: CHWs, Community, and Collective Leadership

Equity by Us: CHWs, Community, and Collective Leadership
Join this interactive conversation on how Rhode Island is advancing health equity through CHW leadership and community collaboration. Explore how Equity Impact Statements, HEZ initiatives, and the new CHWARI Advisory Board elevate CHWs as key equity leaders. Bring your ideas, apply your passion, and walk away with new connections that lead to the next step on your CHW leadership journey.

Spanish:Únete a esta conversación interactiva sobre cómo Rhode Island está promoviendo la equidad en salud a través del liderazgo de los promotores de salud y la colaboración comunitaria. Explora cómo las Declaraciones de Impacto en Equidad, las iniciativas de las Zonas de Equidad en Salud (HEZ), y la nueva Junta Asesora de CHWARI posicionan a los CHWs como líderes clave en equidad. Trae tus ideas, aplica tu pasión y sal con nuevas conexiones que te impulsarán al próximo paso en tu camino como líder CHW.

Resources:

*Health Equity Zones
*Find a HEZ near you

*Writing an EIS

Community Connections: How CHWs support non-English speakers

Cultural Connections in Action: CHWs & CLAS Standards Strengthen Equity in Diverse Communities
This session explores how CHWs can promote the National CLAS Standards to support respectful, equitable care. Discuss how these tools help build culturally and linguistically appropriate relationships, promote health literacy, and guide individuals through care. Participants will learn and share practical strategies to strengthen CHW programs and foster culturally responsive practices in their organizations and communities.

Spanish: Esta sesión explora cómo los promotores de salud pueden promover los Estándares Nacionales CLAS para apoyar una atención respetuosa y equitativa. Se dialogará sobre cómo estas herramientas ayudan a construir relaciones cultural y lingüísticamente apropiadas, promueven la alfabetización en salud y guían a las personas a lo largo de su proceso de atención. Los participantes aprenderán y compartirán estrategias prácticas para fortalecer los programas de CHWs y fomentar prácticas culturalmente receptivas en sus organizaciones y comunidades.

Download Slide Presentation

Resources:

*CLAS standards Plain language

*CLAS Scenario

*CLAS Case Scenario homework

CHW in Community Wellness: Engaging and Empowering Positive Community

CHWs in Community Wellness: Engaging and Empowering Positive Community Health Outcomes
This session showcases how evidence-based programs are improving health outcomes across Rhode Island. Through a dynamic presentation and bilingual breakout discussions, participants will hear from RIDOH, RIPIN, Progreso Latino, and CHW facilitators. Discover how CHWs are leading change, building trust, and empowering healthier, more connected communities through partnerships with public health allies.

Spanish: Esta sesión presenta cómo los programas basados en evidencia están mejorando los resultados de salud en todo Rhode Island. A través de una presentación dinámica y discusiones en grupos bilingües, los participantes escucharán a representantes de RIDOH, RIPIN, Progreso Latino y facilitadores CHW. Descubre cómo los promotores de salud están liderando el cambio, construyendo confianza y fortaleciendo comunidades más saludables y conectadas mediante alianzas con actores clave en la salud pública.

RI Evidence-Based Programs

Additional Resources

National Council on CHW Core Consensus Standards website
- Core Roles & Competencies Reference Deck:
  - English
  - Spanish

Envision Self-Care Resource Links

Letter to Your Employer
- The Rhode Island Department of Health has drafted this letter to your employer requesting that they compensate you for your time attending or volunteering at this conference. Use it!

Pilar McCloud’s Resources
- Her contact info
- Three shared resources:

Conference Planning Committee

These CHWs and allies planned this conference for you!

Felix A Colon Jr, LCSW, CHW

Director of Family and Strengthening, Connecting for Children and Families

About Felix

Felix Colon’s decade-long tenure at Connecting for Children and Families (CCF) has been marked by remarkable professional ascent and impactful contributions. Starting as a Family Engagement Coordinator, he rose to become the Director of Family Strengthening, overseeing both the community health worker team and the Front St Family Center. Alongside his tenure, Felix pursued academic advancement, earning a Master’s in Social Work with a Macro focus.

In 2017, Felix seized the opportunity to transition into a Diabetes Prevention coach role, igniting a trajectory of leading various Diabetes Prevention programs (DPP), including workshops on Chronic Disease and Chronic Pain Management. Outside CCF, Felix’s commitment to community well-being extended to clinical work with youths aged 11-21 at Jamat Housing: Turning The Corner group home. Here, his focus on Mental Health and Wellness and the Abuse Reactive Treatment Program showcased his exceptional ability to guide individuals through trauma and abuse-related challenges.

Felix’s ability to integrate clinical insights into community health initiatives reflects his versatility and dedication to family-centered practice. He is for driving positive change and fostering healthier communities through his advocacy and leadership at CCF and beyond.

Felix also co-facilitates monthly Woonsocket Community Health Worker Network meetings with Linda Brunetti from the Autism Project.

Ámbar Delgado, CCHW

02907 HEZ Co-chair & CHW Conference Consultant

About Ámbar

Ámbar Delgado has been a dedicated member of the Rhode Island Community Health Worker (CHW) Conference Planning Committee for the past three years and currently serves as Co-Chair of the 02907 HEZ. She brings a powerful combination of lived experience, public health knowledge, and a deep commitment to equity-driven, community-centered care. Her leadership helps shape inclusive, culturally responsive programming that reflects the diverse realities of CHWs across the state.

Ámbar’s unwavering dedication was recently recognized when she received the Change Maker Award from the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and American Lung Association of Rhode Island—an honor that highlights her impact in advancing health equity and chronic disease prevention at the community level.

Outside of her formal roles, Ámbar volunteers at Clínica Esperanza, a free clinic serving uninsured and underinsured populations, and leads outreach efforts supporting people experiencing homelessness. Whether in professional settings or through grassroots advocacy, Ámbar remains a passionate force for health justice and systemic change in Rhode Island.

Alicia Fernades (she/her), CCHW
Community Outreach Representative, United Healthcare

About Alicia

Alicia Fernandes is a dedicated Community Outreach Representative with UnitedHealthcare Community & State, where she has served for nearly three years. With over a decade of experience in the health insurance field, Alicia began her career in Medicare enrollment with Blue Cross Blue Shield and has since held impactful roles including Tier Two Escalation Analyst at HealthSource Rhode Island. Her work has supported vital programs such as the Ryan White AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and the Rite Share program.

Alicia is deeply committed to addressing social determinants of health and advocating for underserved communities. In her current role, she not only engages directly with members but also serves as the Coordinator for the Community & State Member Advisory Committee and the Volunteer Coordinator for UnitedHealthcare’s community events—successfully organizing over 1,000 volunteer hours in the past two years. She is also an active member of UnitedHealthcare’s CIDE (Culture, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity) Council.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Alicia is a proud board member of The Empowerment Factory and The Village for Rhode Island Foster and Adoptive Families. She also contributes her time and leadership to several committees in her Smith Hill neighborhood.

Alicia’s unwavering passion for service is best captured in her personal mantra: “If I have helped one person today, I have done my job.”

Mayelyn Gomez (she/her), CCHW
RI Works Statewide Partnership Coordinator, CCAP

About Mayelyn

Mayelyn is a dedicated leader and community advocate with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Currently Pursing a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Mayelyn is committed to driving meaningful change and fostering positive development within her community. As a mother of four she brings resilience, motivation, and purpose to every endeavor. In addition she enjoys journaling and working out, which fuels her personal growth and well-being.

Ahkia Green (she/her), CCHW
CHW, Oak Street Health

About Ahkia

Ahkia Green is proud to be serving as part of the conference planning committee this year. She come swith 3 years of experience as a community health worker in the Woonsocket, Cumberland, Lincoln, Smithfield territory. She started working as an official CHW on 7/23 and received her CCHW 4/24. In this time she has established endless relationships with patients within the community and been an advocate for those in need.

Geraldine McPhee, CCHW
Policy & Systems Specialist, RIPIN

Community Health Worker Consultant, Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)

About Gerry

Geraldine McPhee has over 45 years of experience building community with people with disabilities and learning differences. She is a CCHW and a recognized facilitator of family and community engagement at RIPIN, Inc.

With support from the Rhode Island Department of Health, she co-founded RI CHW Voices with Swanette Salazar. She finds resiliency in relationships with others, in nature, and through the arts.

Lina Roman (she/her), CCHW

Community Health Worker Supervisor, Rhode Island Support Network

Founder, Latinx Support Group for CHWs

About Lina

Lina Roman, holds an Associate Certificate in Computer Office Technology from New England Tech, a Certificate in Social and Human Services from Rhode Island College, and certification as a Community Health Worker (CHW) from RIC/CHWARI. Over the years, she has dedicated herself to serving the Hispanic community, leveraging her skills and expertise to ensure access to vital health programs and resources.
As the Bilingual Program Coordinator at CHWARI, she leads training sessions in Spanish for our CHWs, empowering them to effectively serve Spanish-speaking populations. At Integra Care of New England, she has spent 6 ½ years as a CCHW in a complex care program, assisting patients in addressing both medical conditions and social needs, particularly those frequenting emergency rooms.
“My passion lies in advocating for the Hispanic community, with a focus on preventing and managing chronic illnesses. I have been a staunch advocate for lead poisoning prevention, striving to protect families from this pervasive threat. Additionally, my involvement as a Board Director at CLAP underscores my commitment to addressing disparities, particularly concerning the homeless population.
In 2023, I served as an ambassador for the 1st Conference for CHWs in RI, furthering my dedication to advancing the field. Currently, I lead a Latinx Support Group for CHWs in RI, providing mentorship and support to new CHWs while fostering a collaborative and empowering environment.
I participated this year as a Panelist on the Summit for RIPHA 2024, Innovative Approaches to Advance Health Equity; my topic was talk in regards to “Bridging Communication Gaps in Marginalized Communities as Latinx”.
Looking ahead, I am committed to continuing my education and expanding my impact within the Hispanic community and the most important is educating them how to prevent chronic conditions and be healthier. Whether through further certifications, innovative initiatives, or policy advocacy, I am determined to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those I serve. I do want to explore other areas and used all my experience and expertise as a CHW to help our communities.”

Swanette Salazar (she/her), CCHW

Lead Community Health Worker Consultant, CTC-RI, Community Health Worker Supervisor, FSRI

About Swanette

Swanette Salazar is the RI Community Health Worker Ambassador for the National Association of Community Health Workers and the Lead Community Health Worker for the First Connection Program at the Family Service of Rhode Island non-profit organization. In her role, she serves new families, foster youth, and families with children. She also serves as the Lead CHW Consultant for the Rhode Island Equity Initiative, where she actively supports CHWs as an engaged partner for multidisciplinary teams, valuing their contributions and advancing community and clinical linkages.

Swanette has been recognized as part of the Governor’s Team Rhode Island and was recently named the 2024 Elizabeth Burke Bryant Hero Award recipient from Brown University’s Hassenfeld Institute for her work with children and families in RI.

Rachel Young (she/her), CHW

Engagement Coordinator, Alliance for Community Health Worker Employers, Health Initiatives, RIPIN

About Rachel

Rachel Young, Engagement Coordinator for the Alliance for CHW Employers, is passionate about a holistic approach to promoting health and wellness, focusing not only on individual behavior change but also on building organizational capacity and community support systems. As a facilitator of wellness workshops, she believes strongly that sharing evidence-based practices, enables individuals to make informed decisions about their health and equips them with the knowledge and tools to make positive lifestyle changes.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

Rhode Island Department of Health
Community Health Worker Association of Rhode Island
RIPIN
Family Service of RI
Meals on Wheels
Pear Suite
Melior Inc / Asthenis Pharmacy

Evaluation Link

You must complete an evalution to get your certificate of attendance.

RI CHW Conference 2025

Agenda:

Workshops with Resources:

CHWs in Our Community: Working Across Diverse Settings

Motivational Interviewing

CHWs in Research: Empowering Community Voices

Equity by Us: CHWs, Community, and Collective Leadership

Community Connections: How CHWs support non-English speakers

CHW in Community Wellness: Engaging and Empowering Positive Community

Additional Resources

Conference Planning Committee

These CHWs and allies planned this conference for you!

Thank You To Our Sponsors

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