We’re excited to share more campaign kudos!
RI’s “Bridge to Better Health” CHW Marketing Campaign Earns MORE Recognition and Awards!!!

The campaign “RI’s Community Health Workers: Your Bridge to Better Health” was recently recognized by the New England Society for Healthcare Communications (NESHCo) Lamplighter Awards with THREE awards:

• Gold: Single Video – RI’s CHWs: Your Bridge to Better Health
• Silver: Logo Design – RI’s CHWs: Your Bridge to Better Health
• Bronze: Image/Branding – RI’s CHWs: Your Bridge to Better Health

All winners are listed at: https://lamplighter.awardsplatform.com/gallery.

This is the latest in many accolades the campaign has received since it was first launched in 2024 by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Community Health Worker (CHW) Program to elevate the roles and profiles of CHWs in public health. In December 2024, this same RIDOH CHW Program campaign received a Silver Award in theprestigious 2024 Davey Awards for the campaign’s visual identity development in marketing and advertising. Earlier this spring, the campaign also received an Award of Excellence for “Features – Art Direction” in the prestigious  2025 Communicator Awards. 

The campaign was produced by the RIDOH CHW Program and RIDOH Center for Public Health Communication with Communications Manager Angela Lemire leading this multi-media project at RIDOH from its initial planning stages through final executions. RIDOH contracted with Reach Consulting, with Meara Levezow leading the agency’s 2023-2024 evidence-based formative research, campaign development, production, and marketing phases. Throughout these steps, RIDOH and Reach engaged with the CHW Strategy Team, Roadmap groups, local CHWs, employers, and community partners to share insights, personal stories, and creative feedback. 

Congratulations to all RIDOH and Reach staff, CHWs, employers, and allied partners who were involved or shared their deep insights, personal stories, and creative feedback!

Access all award-winning campaign videos right here on YouTube! 

On Behalf of EOHHS,

Hello,

The Secretary of the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) has under consideration one (1) amendment to Medicaid regulation.  The regulation with proposed amendments and the reason for the amendments are summarized below.

Medicaid Payments and Providers, 210-RICR-20-00-1

In response to emerging concerns related to potential fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) and the health and safety of Medicaid beneficiaries, the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) is proposing updates to the Community Health Worker (CHW) program to strengthen oversight, safeguard beneficiary health and safety and Medicaid funds, and ensure the continued integrity of the program.

EOHHS has identified a need to enhance provider screening and improve documentation and billing standards to better align with federal and state program integrity requirements . As part of this effort, CHW providers will be designated as high-risk provider for the purposes of enrollment, which will include additional screening measures to protect the health and safety of Medicaid members and promote the appropriate use of Medicaid resources.

These updates are necessary to maintain compliance with federal Medicaid standards and to preserve continued access to federal funding.

*Note: An emergency promulgation with the proposed changes is currently in effect and this promulgation is intended to supersede the emergency version when complete.

The proposed rule is accessible on the R.I. Secretary of State’s website: Welcome to the Rhode Island Code of Regulations – Rhode Island Department of State (ri.gov), the EOHHS website: www.eohhs.ri.gov, or available in hard copy upon request (401 462-2598 or RI Relay, dial 711). Interested persons should submit data, views, or written comments by July 25, 2025 to Katy Thomas, RI Executive Office of Health & Human Services, Virks Building, 3 West Rd, Cranston, RI 02920 or Kathryn.thomas@ohhs.ri.gov. 

In accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws 42-35-2.8, an oral hearing will be granted if requested by twenty-five (25) persons, by a governmental agency or by an association having at least twenty-five (25) members.  A request for an oral hearing must be made within ten (10) days of the publication of this notice.

Things are happening fast! This page attempts to present the most updated shareable information from allies in one place – rather that waiting for the next newsletter to come out. Email updates to chwari@laurablackwell.com

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Brown University Health
Charlestown
Full-time
2 Years Sobriety

Summary:

The Peer Recovery Specialist provides peer support and care coordination services to adults who have behavioral health needs (mental and substance use disorders. They are a member of a multi-disciplinary team designed to provide outreach engagement and system support. The function of the Peer Recovery Specialist is to serve as a role model mentor advocate and motivator to clients sharing their personal experiences to help motivate to seek treatment prevent relapse and promote long-term recovery.

Responsibilities:

Works with general outpatient and substance use disorder clients as assigned to support adults in their mental health and substance use challenges.

Provides opportunities for individuals receiving services to direct their own recovery process.

Coaches and supports the acquisition and use of skills needed to facilitate individual recovery.

Assists clients in identifying their personal strengths abilities and needs and articulating personal recovery goals and advocating for themselves during treatment.

Promotes the identification and use of natural resources and support systems within the community accompanying them to assist is accessing services.

Facilitates the development of a sense of wellness self-worth and personal control over one�s life and recovery journey.

Acts as a role model to clients in recovery to inspire hope; share life experiences and lessons learned as a person with lived experience.

Models/mentors recovery process and demonstrate coping skills.

Assists in the orientation process for persons who are new to receiving mental health and/or co-occurring treatment.

Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and competence in trauma informed care as relevant to the needs of individuals in recovery.

Supports the individual in seeking to connect/reconnect with family friends and significant others and in learning how to improve or eliminate unhealthy relationships.

Co-facilitates meetings to nurture a peer support culture.

As requested by client fosters spiritual connections with faith-based organizations and/or participation in self-help and mutual support groups.

Adheres to the policies and procedures for recovery-oriented treatment.

Participates in supervision team conferencing department and agency meetings.

Maintains detailed accurate and timely documentation in medical record.

Follows agency policies and standards for client rights and confidentiality.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Other information:

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Individual who is in personal recovery from a mental health and/or substance use condition and has used services related to that recover.

High school diploma or GED

Ability to complete certification as a peer recovery specialist.

Maintained at least 2 years of sobriety or absence of drug use.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Be self-identified current or former user of mental health or co-occurring services who can relate to others who have not utilized those services.

Communication with supervisor to identify potential situations/concerns.

Have demonstrated proficiency in reading and writing.

Attended trainings on relevant topics such as behavioral health substance use and chronic health conditions.

JOB KNOWLEDGE SKILL AND ABILITY:

Valid driver’s license and use of car during normal working hours or other means of transportation to complete major functions of job.

Ability to establish trusting relationships with peers.

Ability to work independently and also as an integral part of multidisciplinary team.

Be able to recognize early triggers and signs of relapse. Be able to use computer to record services or be willing to learn.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

None.

Brown University Health is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin age ethnicity sexual orientation ancestry genetics gender identity or expression disability protected veteran or marital status.   Brown University Health is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Location: GHI-Charlestown-4705 Old Post Road USA:RI:Charlestown