Community Health Worker Association of RI

"Independent CHWs, Pros & Cons" CHW Networking Gathering
2024-04-04 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Rhode Island
Have you ever thought about becoming an independent CHW?

Come chat with Emily Bernstein of Wheelhouse Health (formerly Navigate Health) to learn what is involved with getting started as an independent worker! At Wheelhouse, we work with clients directly and focus on providing health navigation and empowering individuals by teaching them tools to navigate their own care. We are approved to bill RI Medicaid for our services. We will discuss the benefits of this model, and some of the hurdles that have come up. Get all your questions answered about what it’s like to be an independent CHW!

After the presentation there will be time for CHW Networking – please bring your resources to share.

April 4th, 202412pm-1:30pm via zoom

Register!

About the presenter:

Emily Bernstein, BCPA, CHW (she/her/hers)

As a Board Certified Patient Advocate and Community Health Worker, Emily Bernstein created Wheelhouse Health Navigation Services to ensure that everyone can understand and afford their healthcare journey. Our healthcare system is burdened with inherent inequalities and inefficiencies that make it increasingly difficult to utilize. With Wheelhouse Health, Emily’s vision is to create a space where people can get help overcoming these burdens, and to empower individuals to navigate their healthcare on their own.

Credentials:

BCPA (Board Certified Patient Advocate) https://www.pacboard.org/

CHW – RI

Certificate in Patient Advocacy – UCLA Extension

Latinx CHW Support Group
2024-04-02 12:00 - 12:45, 2024-03-05 17:00 - 18:00, 2024-02-06 17:00 - 18:00 | Rhode Island
EL GRUPO DE APOYO PARA TRABAJADORES DE LA SALUD LATINOS

Si! Llego a RI, ahora tendremos la oportunidad de que nuestras voces sean oidas, podamos expresarnos con libertad y lo mas importante, recibir el apoyo que necesitamos.

Este grupo de apoyo continuara reuniendose dos veces al mes, cada dos Martes de 5pm a 6pm. Las clases se realizaran via zoom.

El enlace para la reunión

Si tiene alguna pregunta, envia un correo electronico a Lina Roman, lroman@ric.edu, CCHW, CHWARI’s Bilingual Program Coordinator.

Latinx CHW Support Group

This support group for Spanish speaking CHWs meets over zoom. CHWs share their challenges in their own language, listen compassionately, and share resources. Get the support you need to do the difficult work you do!

In April of 2024, they will try alternating meeting on Tuesdays during the day and the evening, to make it easier for more to attend.

March/April 2024 Schedule:

March 19th, 5-6pm

April 2nd, 12pm-12:45pm

April 16th, 5-6pm

April 30th, 12-12:45pm

Facilitated by Wiston Delgado, CCHW and Lina Roman, lroman@ric.edu, CCHW, CHWARI’s Bilingual Program Coordinator.

Link to Zoom Meeting (note -this link changed in March 2024)

Pawtucket & Central Falls CHW Network
2024-03-26 11:30 - 13:00, 2024-02-27 11:30 - 13:00 | Pawtucket Family YMCA, 20 Summer Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, 02860
Open to Community Health Workers and those serving in similar roles serving the communities of Pawtucket and Central Falls.

Monthly, in-person network meetings for training, resource sharing, and professional development.

Access to professional network of like-minded local change-makers.

To be held at the Pawtucket Family YMCA the last Tuesday of every month.

Lead by Kinzel Thomas, LCSW, CCHW, LCDP

Contact Kinzel at thomaski@familyserviceri.org for more information and to register!

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CHW Voices
2024-03-25 11:00 - 12:30, 2024-02-26 11:00 - 12:30 | Rhode Island
For Leadership and Advocacy

Join us!

Zoom Link

CHW Voices participants can always expect to:

Meet other CHWs

Contribute to policy discussions

Strengthen community connections

Join networking groups

Keep up to date on CHW news

Did you participate in the 2023 RI CHW Conference – or wish you had?Join other CHWs to share your ideas and play a part in planning for the next CHW Conference in 2024. Email questions here.

This zoom link will be the same for each month’s session:https://ctc-ri.zoom.us/j/99461656622?pwd=[REDACTED] [ctc-ri.zoom.us]Meeting ID: 994 6165 6622Passcode: [REDACTED]

Navigating Health Fair
2024-03-23 09:00 - 14:00 | Rhode Island
Get health insurance questions answered!

Taller de Solicitud de Certificación como CHW en Español
2024-03-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Rhode Island
Scroll down for English.

¡Obtén tu Certificación como CHW!

Comienza a preparar tu solicitud, incluye el portafolio, para tu presentación a la Junta de Certificación de RI

Marzo 21, 2024 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Esta presentacion sera via Zoom

Si ya ha tomado una capacitación de Trabajadores de Salud Comunitarios y desea orientación sobre cómo solicitar la certificación de CHW en RI, en Español ¡Este taller es para usted! (There is a workshop in English on February 22, 2024.) Este taller virtual es gratuito te dará consejos, preparar tu portafolio. Tenga en cuenta: CHWARI no proporciona la certificación en sí; esa autoridad reside en la Junta de Certificación de RI. Este taller te brindara una orientación básica, pero lo remitirá al RICB para preguntas más complejas.

“Obtener mi certificación CHW me ayudó a conseguir un ascenso en mi trabajo. También me ayudó a seguir adelante con la obtención de una Licenciatura en Ciencias del Comportamiento. Convertirse en una CCHW puede abrir tantas oportunidades, que vale la pena el tiempo y el esfuerzo para obtener la Certificación.”

– Wendy Sanchez, CCHW, Resident Services Manager, ONE Neighborhood Builders

La certificación (o un plan con su empleador para obtenerla) esta certificaciion es necesaria para obtener el reembolso de Medicaid por sus servicios de CHW, ¡Así que regístrese hoy!

*Este taller está abierto a aquellos que:

Han completado 70 horas de Capacitación como CHW de Competencia Básica, o que actualmente están inscritos en un programa de capacitación que resultará en el cumplimiento de ese requisito (haber solicitado dicha capacitación no cuenta, pero tendremos otros talleres en el futuro)

Si están empleados como TCS deberan completar las 1000 horas de trabajo en los proximos dos meses, sino tienen ya las horas requeridas.

Si han completado (o cerca de) 50 horas de supervisión trabajando como CHW

Si aún no ha completado la Capacitación de TCS de Competencia Básica, únase a la Asociación de Trabajadores de Salud Comunitarios de RI aquí para conocer las próximas oportunidades de capacitación.

Regístrate para este taller antes de Marzo 21, 2024 Envía un correo electrónico a la Cordinadora Bilingue del Programa de CHWARI, Lina Roman, lroman@ric.edu con cualquier pregunta.

Registrarse

Comparte el volante PDF

Esta Capacitacion gratuita esta financiada por el Departamento de Salud del Rhode Island y esta sera dirigida por La Asociación de Trabajadores Comunitarios de las Salud de RI en el Instituto de Educacion en cuidado de la Salud en Rhode Island College.

Learn How to Apply for CHW Certification!

CHW Certification Application Workshop en Español

Begin preparing your application, including portfolio, for submission to the RI Certification Board

March 21st, 2024, 6pm-7:30pm

Virtual over Zoom

If you have already taken a Community Health Worker core competency training and want guidance on applying for CHW certification in RI, in Spanish, this workshop is for you! (There is a workshop in English on February 22, 2024.) These free virtual workshops will give advice about preparing your portfolio. Please note: CHWARI does not provide the certification itself; the RI Certification Board does. This workshop will provide basic guidance but will refer you to the RICB for more complex questions.

Testimonial:

“Getting my CHW Certification helped me get promoted. It also helped me push forward with getting a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science. Becoming a CCHW can open so many opportunities, that it’s worth the time and effort to get certified.”

– Wendy Sanchez, CCHW, Resident Services Manager, ONE Neighborhood Builders

Certification (or a plan with your employer to get it) is necessary for getting Medicaid reimbursement for your CHW services, so register today!

*This workshop is open to those who:

Have completed 70 hours of Core Competency CHW Training, or who are currently enrolled in a training program that will result in meeting that requirement (having applied for such a training does not count, but we will have other workshops in the future)

Are employed as CHWs

Will fulfill the 1000 CHW work hours required within the next two months

If you have not yet completed Core Competency CHW Training, join the Community Health Worker Association of RI here to learn about upcoming training opportunities.

Register for this workshop here ASAP!

Register

Share PDF Flyer

If you have any questions, please email CHWARI’s Bilingual Program Coordinator, Lina Roman, lroman@ric.edu.

This FREE training is funded by the Rhode Island Department of Health and is delivered by the Community Health Worker Association of RI housed at the Institute for Education in Healthcare at Rhode Island College.

Community Conversations- Networking and Peer Support
2024-03-21 13:00 - 14:30 | Rhode Island
This monthly virtual meeting explores pathways for peer support and resource sharing, with a specific goal of empowering HEZ Collaborative members to reach across ZIP codes and find inspiration, support, solutions, and common ground.

This group is a space for CHWs, Family Navigators, Resident Leaders, and others from within the HEZ Collaboratives to share their experiences and gain resources and technical assistance.

Facilitated by WWHEZ Community Ambassador and CCHW Michele Mitchell.

When: Third Thursday of every month 1-2:30

Location: Virtual over Zoom

Contact info: WWHEZ at: westwarwickhez@thundermisthealth.org 401-799-5044

Register

Latinx CHW Support Group
2024-03-19 17:00 - 17:45 | Rhode Island
EL GRUPO DE APOYO PARA TRABAJADORES DE LA SALUD LATINOS

Si! Llego a RI, ahora tendremos la oportunidad de que nuestras voces sean oidas, podamos expresarnos con libertad y lo mas importante, recibir el apoyo que necesitamos.

Este es el Grupo de Apoyo para Trabajadores Latinos que se reúnen vía zoom para compartir sus retos, experiencias, recursos y escuchamos y entendemos tus problemas en tu propio idioma.

Obtén todo el apoyo que necesitas para hacer mejor tu Trabajo!

En Abril del 2024, este grupo tratará de reunirse los Martes dos veces por mes, una vez al medio día y otra vez en la tarde, para facilitar que más personas puedan asistir a la misma.

Nuevos horarios en Mayo/ Junio:

Mayo 14, 2024 at 5 pm to 5:45 pm

Mayo 28,2024 at 12:00 to 12:45 pm

Junio 11, 2024 at 5 to 5:45 pm

Junio 25, 2024 at 12 to 12:45 pm

El NUEVO enlace para la reunión

Si tiene alguna pregunta, envia un correo electronico a Lina Roman, lroman@ric.edu, CCHW, CHWARI’s Bilingual Program Coordinator.

Latinx CHW Support Group

This support group for Spanish speaking CHWs meets over zoom. CHWs share their challenges in their own language, listen compassionately, and share resources. Get the support you need to do the difficult work you do!

In April of 2024, they will try alternating meeting on Tuesdays during the day and the evening, to make it easier for more to attend.

March/April 2024 Schedule:

May 14, 2024 at 5 pm to 5:45 pm

May 28,2024 at 12:00 to 12:45 pm

June 11, 2024 at 5 to 5:45 pm

June 25, 2024 at 12 to 12:45 pm

Facilitated by Wiston Delgado, CCHW and Lina Roman, lroman@ric.edu, CCHW, CHWARI’s Bilingual Program Coordinator.

Link to Google Meet Meeting (note -this link changed in March 2024)

Latinx CHW Support Group
2024-03-19 17:00 - 17:45 | Rhode Island
EL GRUPO DE APOYO PARA TRABAJADORES DE LA SALUD LATINOS

Si! Llego a RI, ahora tendremos la oportunidad de que nuestras voces sean oidas, podamos expresarnos con libertad y lo mas importante, recibir el apoyo que necesitamos.

Este es el Grupo de Apoyo para Trabajadores Latinos que se reúnen vía zoom para compartir sus retos, experiencias, recursos y escuchamos y entendemos tus problemas en tu propio idioma.

Obtén todo el apoyo que necesitas para hacer mejor tu Trabajo!

En Abril del 2024, este grupo tratará de reunirse los Martes dos veces por mes, una vez al medio día y otra vez en la tarde, para facilitar que más personas puedan asistir a la misma.

Nuevos horarios en Marzo/ Abril:

Marzo 19 5 a 5:45 pm

Abril 2 12 a 12:45 pm

Abril 16 5 a 5:45 pm

Abril 30 12 a 12:45 pm

El NUEVO enlace para la reunión

Si tiene alguna pregunta, envia un correo electronico a Lina Roman, lroman@ric.edu, CCHW, CHWARI’s Bilingual Program Coordinator.

Latinx CHW Support Group

This support group for Spanish speaking CHWs meets over zoom. CHWs share their challenges in their own language, listen compassionately, and share resources. Get the support you need to do the difficult work you do!

In April of 2024, they will try alternating meeting on Tuesdays during the day and the evening, to make it easier for more to attend.

March/April 2024 Schedule:

May 14, 2024 at 5 pm to 5:45 pm

May 28,2024 at 12:00 to 12:45 pm

June 11, 2024 at 5 to 5:45 pm

June 25, 2024 at 12 to 12:45 pm

Facilitated by Wiston Delgado, CCHW and Lina Roman, lroman@ric.edu, CCHW, CHWARI’s Bilingual Program Coordinator.

Link to Zoom Meeting (note -this link changed in March 2024)

HEZ Learning Community- Purposeful Partnerships
2024-03-12 08:00 - 16:30 | Rhode Island
Purposeful Partnerships HEZ Learning Communities

The March 2024 HEZ Learning Community will be on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rhode Island College – 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island. Join colleagues from across the state for a day of exploring the theme of the day, Purposeful Partnerships. The day begins with breakfast, check-in, and exhibit tables at 8 a.m. and ends with raffle prizes and closing statements at 4 p.m. Register for the March 2024 Learning Community

The proposed Health Equity Zone (HEZ) Learning Community schedule is: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 (* Snow day will be Friday, March 15, 2024)Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Register for March 12

For questions, please email morgan.duffney@health.ri.gov.

To propose ideas for future events, complete this Workshop Development Form. To become an exhibitor at a HEZ Learning Community Event, sign up here.

Read the latest HEZ news. To get HEZ news directly, sign up here.

Oral Health CHW Training
2024-03-06 18:00 - 20:00, 2024-02-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Rhode Island
February 28 AND March 6, 2024 from 6-8pm*

If you are a CHW and want to support individuals’ health, you NEED to pay attention to ORAL health as well as housing needs, food quality and access, mental health etc. Come hear about this crucial piece of overall health that often gets overlooked. Smile!

Dr. Sam Zwetchkenbaum, Chief of the Oral Health Program at the RI Department of Health will instruct.

Certificate of 6 hours upon completion. *You must attend both sessions.

Register HERE!

Register here!

A note – when you register you will get your own individualized Zoom link. Please do not share that link with colleagues, and rather, have them register separately. Thanks!

This FREE training is funded by the Rhode Island Department of Health and is delivered by

Cardiovascular Health and Diabetes Management CHW Training
2024-03-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Rhode Island
Tuesday Evenings 6-8pmMarch 5 through May 21, 2024

desplácese hacia abajo para español

Diabetes and heart disease often go hand in hand and heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. People with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke than someone who doesn’t have diabetes. Learn how to effectively help your community members manage their chronic conditions to live longer, healthier lives!

Carol Pineda, CCHW, took the training in 2021 and shares how she now helps her clients AVOID DIABETES!“The diabetes and cardiovascular disease training helped me a lot to understand how this disease works and how we should eat better and exercising regularly helps us stay healthy. Now I can explain to my clients how some foods can be harmful if you have Diabetes and how we can avoid Diabetes if you are pre-diabetic.”

This FREE training makes you eligible to apply for the RICB’s CCHW Specialty Endorsement in Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Management. Applicants MUST HOLD CHW Certification in Rhode Island. If you have submitted your application to the RICB, please contact Daniel Dodd at ddodd@ric.edu for verification.

Karen Wholey, MSN, RN, Assistant Professor Rhode Island College Onanian School of Nursing will instruct.

Topics:

Stroke

Heart Attack

Heart Failure

Atrial Fibrillation (Afib)

High Blood Pressure

High Blood Cholesterol

Pre-Diabetes & Diabetes

Healthy Eating & Weight Control

Patient Driven Health Care

Mental Health & Wellness

This class meets Tuesday evenings 6-8pm beginning with orientation on March 5th and final presentation on May 21st, 2024.

Apply here by Friday, February 23rd, 2024 5pm.

Application

Share bilingual pdf flyer!

Funded by the Rhode Island Department of Health and conducted by the Community Health Worker Association of RI housed at the Institute for Education in Healthcare at Rhode Island College.

CCHW Capacitacion de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares y Control de la Diabetis

Marzo 5 – Mayo 21, del 2024Martes de 6-8pmVia Zoom

Aprende de una forma eficaz como ayudar a los miembros de tu comunidad a controlar sus condiciones de Salud para poder vivir una vida prolongada y saludable ! La Diabetis y enfermedades del corazon amenudo van de la mano y son la causa de muerte numero uno en los Estados Unidos. Las personas con Diabetis tienen el doble de probabilidades de tener enfermedades del corazon o paralisis cerebral que las personas que no sufren de Diabetis.

Carol Pineda, CCHW at One Cranston HEZ, tomo la capacitacion en el 2021 y comparte como ahora ayuda a sus clientes a evitar la Diabetis!“El entrenamiento de diabetes y enfermedades cardiovasculares me ayudo mucho a entender como funciona esa enfermedad y como debemos alimentarnos mejor y hacer ejercicio regularmente nos ayuda a manternos saludable, ahora puedo explicar les a mis clientes como algunas comida pueden hacer daño si tiene diabetes y como podemos evitar diabetes si se es pre diabetico.”

Este es una capacitacion Gratuita y tu eligibilidad se aplica atraves del RICB’ Especialidades y Aprobacion en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares y Contro de Diabetis. Los aplicantes tienen que tener La Certificacion de CCHW o Trabajadores Comunitarios de Salud en Rhode Island y deben ser fluidos en inglés. Si tu has enviado tu aplicacion para la certificacion como CHW al RICB, por favor contacte con Lina Roman, al correo electronico, lroman@ric.edu para verificacion.

Temas:

Paralisis Cerebral

Ataque al Corazon

Insuficiencia Cardiaca

Fibrilacion Auricular

Presion Alta

Colesterol Alto en la Sangre

Prediabetes y Diabetes

Comiendo Saludable y Control de peso

Atencion de Salud Orientada al Paciente

Salud Mental y Bienestar

Aplique aqui antes del Febrero 23, del 2024.

la aplicación

El volante bilingual

Woonsocket Networking Group
2024-03-01 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-02-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Woonsocket Public Library, 303 Clinton Street, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, 02895, United States
Attention Woonsocket CHWs!

Do you work with families in Woonsocket as CHW, CNA, Case manager, etc.? Are you interested in finding new resources and want to connect with other community partners?Come together for a supportive gathering and build a strong network within the community!

This group meets on the first Friday of every month from 12-1pm at the Woonsocket Public Libarary. Expect to:

Engage in discussions on community health and well-being

Discover resources to enhance your impact

Learn from other CHWs and their insights

Share your experiences, challenges and successes

Please email questions to Linda.brunetti@lifespan.org and Fcolon@ccfcenter.org.

Register!

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Woonsocket Networking Group
2024-03-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Woonsocket Public Library, 303 Clinton Street, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, 02895, United States
Attention Woonsocket CHWs!

Do you work with families in Woonsocket as CHW, CNA,Case manager, etc.? Are you interested in finding new resources and want to connect with other community partners?Come together for a supportive gathering and build a strong network within the community!

This group meets on the first Friday of every month from 12-1pm at the Woonsocket Public Libarary. Expect to:

Engage in discussions on community health and well-being

Discover resources to enhance your impact

Learn from other CHWs and their insights

Share your experiences, challenges and successes

Please email questions to Linda.brunetti@lifespan.org and Fcolon@ccfcenter.org.

Register!

Share Flyer

Envision: CHW Affinity Community of Practice
2024-02-29 13:30 - 15:00 | Rhode Island
RI CCR CHWs are invited to join the next Community Health Worker (CHW) only Community of Practice (CoP) session on Thursday, February 29, 2024 1:30 PM-3:00 PM! The CHW CoP is designed to support connections, relationship-building and peer-to-peer learning for CHWs. The goal of the CHW CoP is to provide a space for CHWs to share ideas, best practices and build individual and collective capacity for strengthening the CHW workforce in a way that lifts up and honors the lived and professional experiences of CHWs. For the purposes of this CoP, we are defining CHWs as an inclusive term. The CoP is designed for community health representatives, community health workers and promotores, who are frontline public health professionals that share life experience, trust, compassion, cultural and value alignment with the communities where they live and serve.This 90 minute Community of Practice session will be held on 2/29/2024 @ 1:30 EST. Please use the following link to register:https://uwmadison.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0kde6qqDwqG9DALMXBvd6xTYCj60ZeDDyF [uwmadison.zoom.us]

Self Care Refresh for CHWs Networking Gathering
2024-02-29 12:00 - 13:30 | Rhode Island
Looking to give some attention to self care but don’t know where to start?

Join CHWARI and fellow CHWs to learn approachable ways to start taking better care of you! Quinten Foster, MS (he/they), Director of Transgender Whole Healthcare at EBCAP will share practical techniques and strategies. The 1 hour presentation will be followed by a Q & A, then 20 minutes of CHW networking. Bring links to your resources!

February 29th, 202412pm-1:30pm, via Zoom

Register

Session Description: This session focuses on the practical application of self-care and burnout prevention strategies that may be supportive for CHWs. Attendees will learn about and practice various techniques they may choose to employ at work or at home, such as mindfulness exercises, cognitive re-framing, and mind-body-spirit integration.

Speaker Bio: Quinten Foster, MS (he/they) is the Director of Transgender Whole Healthcare at East Bay Community Action Program. They are a self-described “neurospicy” transmasculine person with personal and professional experience in the integrated healthcare and DEIB fields. They combine their lived experience and formal education in Health Psychology to create engaging, meaningful learning experiences focused on the power of storytelling and human connection. Their favorite topics to facilitate include neuro-inclusive workspaces, gender affirming practices, and intersectional identity.

Food & Income Security Training
2024-02-29 09:00 - 10:30 | Rhode Island
Join MLPB and your RI community health worker colleagues for a training on supporting individuals with Food & Income Security on February 29th from 9:00AM to 10:30AM. During this training, you will learn to:

Recognize public policies, systems, and decision-makers that drive food and income security.

Identify key benefits and legal protections that bolster access to food and income.

Apply role-aligned food and income security problem-solving strategies in partnership with those you serve.

This training will be hosted via Zoom – please register using the link below:

Register

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtdu2spzIvG9yRFmqJ0mFfGqnGgh3VBkuf#/registration

Have you seen…

The MLPB Digital Digest is an open-access tool to help workforce colleagues navigate ongoing law and policy changes. It is intended to provide guidance and problem-solving strategies to address a range of key HRSN needs. Check it out!

In-Person CHW Panel Discussion: “We Need To Get Paid For Our Value"
2024-02-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Rhode Island College, 107 Alger Hall, 600 Mount Pleasant Street, Providence, RI, 02908, United States
“We Need to Get Paid for Our Value”:

Making the Community Health Worker Role and Peer Recovery Specialist Role Sustainable

Join CHWARI in-person on 2/26, 1-4pm, at Rhode Island College’s Institute for Education in Healthcare for a vibrant discussion with a panel of researchers (two of whom have lived experience of addiction) and CHWs/peer recovery specialists. This in an in-person event at Alger Hall Room 110 on the Rhode Island College campus. Zoom is only being used for registration purposes.

This event is a panel of researchers who were involved with a recent study of CHW/Peer role definitions and work conditions in Rhode Island, published in Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly. They will discuss their own experiences of working in these roles as well as the changes needed to make them sustainable on the program, institutional, and legislative levels.

Register

Read Article

PDF Flyer

Abstract:

After decades of playing a critical role in extending healthcare to the most marginalized, Community Health Workers (and more recently, peer recovery specialists) are becoming widely recognized. From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMSHA) to the American Journal of Public Health, important voices have called to expand these roles in response to the staffing crisis facing healthcare and mental healthcare/substance use disorder treatment. However, all is clearly not well. A series of recent publications have described wide-spread burnout, emotional exhaustion, moral injury, economic exploitation, and high workforce turnover. Although these impacts were intensified during the COVID 19 pandemic, they began well before March 2020 and, if anything, have only worsened since. As one harm-reduction worker recently stated: “The new normal is a non-stop crisis.”

Panelists:

Anthony Thigpen, CCHW/PRS

I am a program coordinator for a program called Connect For Health. This program is housed in Lifespan’s Community Health Institute which connects men and women and families to resources in the community. I started out as a community health worker with Providence RI Transition Clinic at the Center for primary care, and one of the founders of Docs For Health, a tool that has been designed to screen and intervene for social determinants of health. Also, formally incarcerated, and recently celebrated 16 years of being free.

Arryn A. Guy, PhD

Investigator, Brown University School of Public Health

Dr. Arryn A. Guy (she/they) is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Rhode Island and an Investigator in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the Brown University School of Public Health. Dr. Guy’s work focuses on community-based participatory research with queer and trans communities to develop and implement evidence-based behavioral health interventions. Their work aims to heal negative psychological sequelae resulting from stigma, support addiction recovery, increase access to gender affirmative care, and reduce HIV health inequities.

Tee Dorsey, CPRS

Tee Dorsey, CPRS has worked as a Community Health Worker, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Violence Interrupter and now works at Project Weber Renew as a Court Support Navigator.

Jon Soske, PhD

Jon Soske is a person in long-term recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and researcher at the Lifespan Division of Addiction Medicine.

Sara Alavi, MA

MD Candidate at University of California, San Francisco

Sara Alavi is a medical student at the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program. She is pursuing an MD from the UC San Francisco and an MS from the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, researching environmental health disparities and urban greening. Following her graduation from Brown University in 2021, she completed a Fulbright-funded MA in Medical Anthropology at SOAS University of London.

Lex Morales, CCMC

Lex Morales is Pawtucket Program Manager for Project Weber/Renew

envision: Sustaining and Training CHW Work in Addressing Chronic Disease as Underlying Risk Factors
2024-02-22 13:30 - 15:00 | Rhode Island
OUR NEXT WEBINAR • NUESTRO PRÓXIMO SEMINARIO WEB

Sustaining and Training CHW Work in Addressing Chronic Disease as Underlying Risk Factors

Apoyo y capacitación para los CHW en su labor de abordar las afecciones crónicas como factores de riesgo subyacentes

Thursday, February 22, 20241:30pm EST

The pandemic limited access to preventive care and exacerbated chronic health conditions leading to worse health outcomes. Community Health Workers are recognized for their skills in addressing the underlying risk factors that worsened the impact of COVID-19.

In this webinar we are sharing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supported trainings available to CHWs to address chronic health conditions in their communities. We will also be exploring mechanisms to support this work fiscally.This webinar is open to all. We especially encourage CCR-2109 recipients (CHWs, CHW allies, CHW program staff, etc.) and their partners to attend.Spanish interpretation services will be provided in real-time and a recording of the webinar will be made available after the session for those unable to attend the live webinar.

Read more here.

Lecture: Certified Perinatal Workforce: Strong and Growing!
2024-02-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Rhode Island
Lifespan Community Health AmbassadorsVirtual LectureTuesday February 13, 2024 | 12:00 to 1:00 pm

The Certified Perinatal Workforce: Strong and Growing!

Presented by:

Quatia Osorio, BS-HSM, BSBA, SPM, CCHW, CLC,MCHS, CMCHW, CPE, CHC

Join LCHI to learn about the local certified perinatal workforce, how it is expanding, and the innovative work forces that are seeking to provide complementary and sustaining support to the struggling maternal health care arena in Rhode Island. The discussion will include the certified perinatal doula services, doula referral hotline, lactation programs services, postpartum support initiatives, and information about the new Certified Professional Midwifery Equity Initiative.

Objectives:

Provide the definition of a doula and their scope of practice

Review and highlight the community efforts to improve maternal health outcomes

Describe innovations in community practice, programs, and policies to assist in eliminating maternal health disparities

Identify current proposed initiatives to reduce maternal health disparities

Location: This lecture will be provided through Zoom. The link and sign in information will be provided prior to the lecture.

NAMI Winter Wellness Event
2024-02-07 15:00 - 19:00 | Rhode Island
Join the National Alliance on Mental Illness RI for a Winter Wellness Event!

To register email: jeremiah@namirhodeisland.org.
