CHW Conference Mission: CHWs come together to advocate for the profession and pave the way towards a future of health equity in Rhode Island.
Thank you for the wonderful energy and to all the CHW hard work that went into this successful event!
Are you interested in planning next year’s conference! Connect with the CHW Voices for Leadership & Advocacy group to learn about the planning process! Check out other opportunities to connect with CHW on our Networking page! Scroll past pictures for conference presentations and resources.
They should be emailed to you shortly with a dropbox link. Check your spam folder!
Event Overview
Join Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island College for the Community Health Worker Conference, where we celebrate the invaluable contributions of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Rhode Island. Dedicated to advocating for the profession and championing health equity, this conference serves as a rallying point for CHWs to connect, collaborate, and pave the way toward the future we want for all in Rhode Island”. Through engaging sessions and dynamic discussions, we’ll elevate the vital role of CHWs and provide a platform to honor our tireless efforts. From professional development workshops to policy discussions that center community voice, attendees will gain invaluable insights aligned with the core competency domain required for Rhode Island CHW certification.
Join Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island College for the Community Health Worker Conference, where we celebrate the invaluable contributions of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Rhode Island. Dedicated to advocating for the profession and championing health equity, this conference serves as a rallying point for CHWs to connect, collaborate, and pave the way toward the future we want for all in Rhode Island”. Through engaging sessions and dynamic discussions, we’ll elevate the vital role of CHWs and provide a platform to honor our tireless efforts. From professional development workshops to policy discussions that center community voice, attendees will gain invaluable insights aligned with the core competency domain required for Rhode Island CHW certification.
This conference is more than just a gathering—it’s a catalyst for positive change, empowering CHWs to drive impactful interventions, advocate for their communities, and shape the landscape of health in Rhode Island. Join us as we come together to celebrate the past, present, and future of the CHW profession, united in our shared commitment to fostering healthier, more equitable communities across the state.
What to Expect During this day-long conference, you’ll connect with fellow CHWs and explore interactive workshops and networking activities with partners. CHW leaders will facilitate the conference using content based on nationally recognized best practices. The conference has been designed around four key pillars to address the most pressing needs CHWs are facing :
1. Self-care: Practice self-care in the face of structural challenges Identify steps needed for self-care amidst the challenges that we face as CHWs. Find peace and balance through community grounding and protective practices. Address trauma using effective resources and principles that you can apply to your role as a community health worker.
2. The CHW Profession: Amplify the value of the CHW Role Develop your confidence and storytelling skills to amplify the value of the community health worker role. Discover how to recognize and leverage existing community resources to strengthen your impact and effectiveness.
3. Resources: Collaborate to realize community resources more fully Explore the practice of authentic collaboration to ensure consistent access to essential community resources. Map community assets and find champions to understand the wrap-around systems needed for comprehensive care.
This Event is Free! We want this conference to be accessible to all community health workers in Rhode Island. As such, the event is entirely free for attendees.
MEALS: Breakfast & Lunch will be provided.
TRANSPORTATION: Arrival by Bus: This venue is on a RIPTA bus route. Plan your trip here. Here is a campus map – you will also see the bus stop highlighted in “golden” yellow and this is a short walk over to John Lincoln Alger Hall, 110.
Arrival by Car:Parking lot B, near Roberts Hall, is recommended for anyone attending the full conference as Lot C and D fill up quickly. Here is a campus map. Here are directions from Google Maps. Certificate of Attendance: Upon request, we can provide this after you complete the session’s evaluation.
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 obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico. In 2018 she relocated to Rhode Island after been accepted at Brown’s University Neuroscience Post-Bac Program. However, it was her innate passion for population-based interventions and moral duty that led her to join the non-profit sector during the heightened of the SARS-19; while also working at nights as a Neuroscience Research Assistant at Brown. While fulfilling her duties as a Project Coordinator for the 02907 Health Equity Zone (HEZ); Ámbar had the opportunity to witness first-hand the impact and importance of Community Health Workers (CHWs) when delivery evidence-based approaches to increase Health Equity. The former been what led her to become a certified CHW. Ámbar’s innate curiosity for learning; led her to apply and being accepted at a summer Global Public Health Program at Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health in 2023, centering her final paper manuscript around asthma and air pollution in RI.
During her time at West Elmwood Housing 02907 HEZ, Ms. Delgado had the opportunity to address a battery of socio-economic determinants of health such as exacerbated asthma rates, indoors and outdoors air quality, housing and food insecurity, social and emotional resiliency, and health literacy among 02907 demographic. Ámbar is passionate about climate justice, lung health, Policy and Systems changes and Social and Emotional resiliency. Ámbar’s educational background, professional goals, asthma lived experiences and organic interest in lung health, recently led her to join The American Lung Association of RI as the Manager of Advocacy for Tobacco Free RI Network. In her free time, she enjoys using her CHW to serve as a volunteer case worker for the Rhode Island Medical Navigator Partnership with Brown Medical School, spending time with her cat, weightlifting and reading.
Wiston Delgado is a born and raised Venezuelan, who has been living in the United States since 2013. Since that time, he developed real estate projects in Miami – Orlando, Florida, Rhode Island and Massachusetts for 7 years. In 2020 he decided to move to Rhode Island where he certified as a Community Health Worker/ Promotor de Salud. He has worked in different organizations like Progreso Latino, Gateway, and the My Gente program through Lifespan. He was a member for Rhode 2 Equity in Pawtucket and Central Falls area, and currently he is part of the staff at Point32Health/Tufts Health Plan in Rhode Island under Katie Beckett Program to support Parent living for Children with Special needs. There he is a big collaborator because he fully understands the importance of the Latinx community and how to make it more visible. Wiston Currently is Co-lead with Lina Roman the Latinx CHW support Group in Rhode Island. CHWs share their Challenge, listen compassionately and share resources, and get support we need to do the difficult work we do. He is also interested in arts and dancing; He attends a local theater where he’s been part of a few plays.
As a certified Community Health Worker, I aim to address social determinants of health surrounding underserved and socioeconomically impacted communities to maintain, protect and improve the health status and wellbeing of our Neighbors. I graduated from Boston University in Massachusetts with my Master of Public Health degree with a specialization in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on bringing social justice and health equity into communities through advocacy and community capacity building. I have experience in program implementation, health education, and environmental health among others public health topics and areas. As a CHW, I hope to continue to address health disparities and the barriers to healthcare and services that are essential to achieve the best possible health outcomes in low-income communities in Rhode Island.
Daria Diaz has served the community of Woonsocket as a Community Health Worker for Connecting for Children and Families for about 2 and a half years now. She started as a parent utilizing the services from PAT then became a parent educator. She is a Certified medical interpreter and her goal is to become an immigration specialist and provide those services to those who are documented and undocumented in the city of Woonsocket. She will serve as the MC for the conference.
Marimir is the Community Outreach Advocate’s supervisor at Providence Community Health Centers (PCHC). She has worked in the CHW field since 2019 when she was recruited by PCHC and joined the first CHW apprenticeship program in RI. She was promoted to the Senior CHW position at PCHC in 2021, and later transitioned to supervisor of the community health worker team. She is a CHW board certified with a specialty in Cardiovascular Health and Diabetes Endorsement and holds a bachelor’s degree in Organization Leadership and Change from College Unbound.
Marimir was born and raised in The Dominican Republic and moved to the U.S. 9 years ago. She was previously working as a Certified Nursing Assistant taking care of predominantly Hispanic patients who were homebound in their home and in need of supports and services; that’s when she realized she needed to do more for her community based on what she had seen her patients experience such as a lack of support, knowledge, and awareness of needs.
She has worked with many Health Equity Zones to address socioeconomic and racial inequities, bringing personal and professional experiences to the discussion. She has participated in many events such as the Unity Conference with the NACHW; bringing awareness on the impact of CHWs and the role they play in improving access to healthcare, helping connect support systems, and increasing access to social services.
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, 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 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.
Donna Sennett is a resident of Wakefield, Rhode Island and has been serving Washington County for the past 20 years, originally as an Elementary School Principal in Matunuck and then as the Education and Training Manager for the Exeter Job Corps Academy. Following her work at EJCA, she served as an Outreach Case Manager for ten years in a community mental health center. Wanting to be able to work with patients drawing on her own lived experiences, Donna became trained as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, helping to open the Hope Recovery Center in Westerly through her work with Parent Support Network. While there, she trained as a Certified Community Health Worker and is now a Lead CHW at Thundermist Health Center in South County where she specializes in working with older populations, those who are unhoused and those with co-occurring disorders.
Donna also serves on the RI Certification Board Board of Directors where she is active in support of CPRS and CCHW training programs and for whom she assisted in updating the standards for CHW Certification. She also serves on the Galilee Mission Board of Directors, an organization that serves those struggling with addiction and co-occurring disorders.
Donna is the proud mother of two children and the nana of one grandson, and has been happily married for 33 years.
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.
Kurt Faustin is a father, entrepreneur, coach, storyteller, success strategist, and New England Resident. He is a former writer for HuffPost and Forbes and has worked with organizations like Harvard University, Chase Bank, and United Way. He founded the Dropout Academy, a career development organization that helps bridge the gap between mental health and performance, emphasizing emotional intelligence, goal setting, and stress management. Kurt has lived experience and understands many of the struggles we face as professionals and in our communities. He has goals to redefine success, works towards breaking down systems, and helps strengthen his communities one individual, group, or organization at a time.
Parking lot B, near Roberts Hall, is recommended for anyone attending the full conference as Lot C and D fill up quickly. Plan your trip here. Here is a map – you will also see the bus stop highlighted in “golden” yellow and this is a short walk over to John Lincoln Alger Hall, 110 (google map) 600 Library Road, North Providence, RI 02908, USA
Photo Booth
Get Professional Photos Taken!
Are you a CHW interested in networking with other professionals? Stop by our photobooth for a free professional headshot. The booth will run from 12-4pm in room 106
Get Your Photos
In the week(s) following the conference, our photographer will share your photos with you via the email address provided at the time of sign-up. A link to Dropbox will be provided in the email, which you can follow to find high-resolution copies of the images available for you to download.
Use Your Photos
Once downloaded, you can use your new professional headshots as a networking tool to help other professionals in the field recognize you. You can use the headshot as a profile photo on LinkedIn, your resume, or business card for better visibility in the professional world.
These partners will be onsite to talk about the services they offer to support CHWs and their clients:
Thank you to our sponsors!
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) CHW Program is excited and proud to join other local partners in supporting this new initiative through its federal grant award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient Communities (CDC CCR Grant 2109). Other supporting partners providing technical assistance and logistical support include RIPIN,
