Swanette Shares 3/31/25

This information was shared in an email from Swanette Salazar CCHW on 3/31/25, in her role as the Lead Community Health Worker Consultant – Rhode 2 Equity(CTC-RI). Some of this info is in the CHWARI Newsletter – some is not due to time issues. We will try to post updates like this on our website so that all resources are ‘out there!’ We are working on a way to coordinate communications better. 

Hi everyone,

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and this year’s theme, “Together We Act, United We Change,” highlights the power of collective action in preventing and addressing sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. Explore more resources from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

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Starting April 7th, we celebrate National Public Health Week 2025, with the theme “It Starts Here.” This theme reminds us that public health begins with our everyday actions—creating healthier homes, communities, and workplaces. Public health is all around us, shaping the environments where we live, work, and play. By working together, we can build a stronger, healthier future for everyone. Learn more here. 

Have you heard about…

  • Our International CHW partners, Community Health Impact Coalition (CHIC), has been named a winner of the Skoll Award For Social Innovation 2025 alongside Apis & Heritage Capital Partners, EarthEnable, Healthy Learners and Pacto pela Democracia! Learn more about CHIC here and check out their 2024 annual report here. See the video speaking more about CHWs here.
  • CHW Survey for all CHWs in and out of RI to help our evaluators compare what is most important to us and those across the nation. Please take a moment to share your thoughts on what is most important to you. The survey can be found here.
  • My term as RI’s CHW Ambassador for the National Association of CHWs ends this year! Apply here. | Applications due on 4/30/25

Advocacy & Legislation

  • Check out the committee calendars of bills being the General Assembly is hearing here.
  • RIPIN’S Report: Strengthening Preschool Education in RI, outlines key solutions to strengthen the system
    • Learn more about the findings, recommendations, legislation, and advocacy opportunities below
  • Currently, the administration is planning on terminating half of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s workforce – this could significantly affect how we access the congressionally approved federal investments needed to address our housing and homelessness challenges, including rental assistance, closures of homeless shelters, stop the construction of new housing. What can we do about it? We can make our voices heard by calling our congressmen regarding the planned cuts to HUD.
    • RI’s own Senator Reed wrote a bipartisan letter urging the administration to keep HUD field offices open.
    • HomesRI has created a toolkit that includes a call script, contact info, background, etc.
    • Example template from the National Low Income Housing Coalition
  • Economic Progress Institute 2025 Legislative Agenda
  • Save RIPTA Lobby Days | Learn more about the campaign here and sign up here. The organizers will be there to help guide you to talk to lawmakers.
  • Housing Network of RI Legislative Tracker
  • 4/7 at 6 pm | Action for Health: Advocacy & Power Building Training | Learn basics of effective advocacy with decision makers, dig into what it takes to build political power, and pass on critical skills you’ll need to advocate for health.
  • 4/8 from 3-4 at the State House: Housing x Transit Advocacy Day | Join other advocates to meet with lawmakers to discuss why safe, affordable homes and reliable public transit is essential to RI’ers. Sign up here. This will also run with the Community Development Month Launch Event to celebrate RI’s nonprofit affordable housing developers.

Professional Development, Opportunities, Resources

  • Right to Know | A medically accurate, stigma-free resource for teens and young adults to learn about their sexual and reproductive health | Check out a brief video here and order materials here.

Community Resources, Opportunities, & Events

  • Click here to learn more about the new Deaf softball league | No experience needed – ALL are welcome, including Deaf, Hard of Hearing, CODA, SODA, or signing hearing individuals
  • The Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) is now accepting applications for two new Medicaid Advisory Committees! The deadline to apply is April 21, 2025. To learn more about the BAC and MAC, please visit eohhs.ri.gov/Medicaid-BAC-MAC.
    • The Beneficiary Advisory Council (BAC) is open to current or former Medicaid beneficiaries, their families, or caregivers to provide feedback and help improve services. English Flyer | Spanish Flyer | Portuguese Flyer
    • The Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC) is for community members, providers, or advocates who wish to be involved in sharing their experiences and opinions.
  • Master Guide to Summer Camps
  • Brown Asthma Camp from July 14 -17 | Learn more here. | Sign up here.
  • 4/7 from 3-4 pm: Parenting While Black Series (final session from Brazelton Touchpoints Center)
    • Each webinar includes live Spanish translation and closed captioning
  • 4/9 from 3-7 pm | Day One Community Fair – see attached PDF to share and click here to learn more.
  • 4/16 from 10-12 pm | URI Cyber Seniors Health-Tech Series: Navigating Hearing Loss Through Connective Tech | To register, email [email protected] | See attached PDF to share
  • 4/26 11-2 am | 2025 Housing Resource Fair Open House | Learn more and RSVP here.

Self-care resources/events


Articles + Videos + Podcasts

Potential Grants, Funding, and Award Opportunities

Take Care,

Swanette

Swanette Salazar CCHW

Lead Community Health Worker – First Connections Program

Lead Community Health Worker Consultant – Rhode 2 Equity(CTC-RI)

RI CHW Ambassador – National Association of Community Health Workers
[email protected]

I use she/her/hers pronouns! How about you?