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FEBRUARY 2020: Newport HEZ Gas Outage Case Study, Walking College Fellowships, and more! 
HEZ SPOTLIGHT

Newport HEZ Gas Outage Case Study

The Newport Health Equity Zone engaged in a Community Climate Resilience project conducting a case study about last year's gas outage in Newport.  Check out this infographic they created demonstrating the importance of climate resilience during a natural disaster such as the gas outage!  They are working on a comprehensive report documenting the advances the community has made advancing their climate resiliency.  

ANNOUNCMENTS

HEZ Advocacy Day

Save the date for HEZ Advocacy Day, March 24, 2020.  More information will be discussed at the February HEZ Learning Community, and HEZ Project Officers will be reaching out to backbone agencies in the coming days.  Hope to see you all there! 


Apply to be a 2020 Walking College Fellow

The urgent need for taking action is clear given a surge in pedestrian deaths across the country and the serious environmental, health, and equity implications of the existing transportation landscape. You can be part of that action by applying to be a 2020 Walking College Fellow.

The Walking College is a remote-learning program that imparts fellows with the knowledge and skills they need to become leaders in creating stronger, more equitable, sustainable, and liveable communities.

Over six months, fellows complete a series of modules addressing topics including the basics of walkable design and how to navigate the public policy process, effectively engage decision makers, and how to foster a local advocacy movement. By the end of the program, they will have completed a blueprint for a series of short and longer-term strategies to tackle an identified problem in their communities.

Applications are due February 28, 2020.  To learn more or to apply, visit the Walking College website.


Changes to SNAP

There are upcoming changes in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that will impact Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs) living in several Rhode Island communities. 
 
Effective April 1, 2020, the following 12 cities and towns in RI will no longer be waived from the ABAWD work requirements/time limits: Central Falls, Charlestown, East Providence, Johnston, North Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Scituate, Warren, Westerly. West Warwick, and Woonsocket.  When this regulation takes effect, approximately 7,779 individuals in Rhode Island will be newly subjected to the ABAWD time limits/work requirements.
 
Please visit the ABAWD page on the Department of Human Services (DHS) website which answers the most common questions ABAWDs and others may have with this upcoming change. It also includes helpful resources, forms that may be needed and details about the appeals process. On this page, community partners can locate the “Community Partner Unfit for Work Form” which can be completed and provided to DHS to assist with determining if an individual is exempt from the time limit due to being “unfit for work”. 
 
As our community partners, you may play an important role with our shared customers should they reach out to you regarding this change. DHS staff has been made aware of the changes and trained to assist those impacted. 


House of Hope Board of Directors Opening

House of Hope Community Development Corporation (CDC) is searching for prospective candidates to join their Board of Directors. The ideal candidate must absolutely love the work House of Hope CDC does. Further, they are looking to add individuals with the following professional experience:

  • Housing/Real estate development
  • Legal services (i.e. attorney, paralegal)
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing/Communications
  • Fund Development/Fundraising
  • Medical/Health field 

They are especially interested in individuals with lived experience of homelessness, personal experience with utilizing social safety net supports themselves (for example, living in subsidized housing, SNAP), and people who are ages 18-40 years old.
 
The Board of Directors job description includes House of Hope CDC's mission and an overview of the expectations of individual board members. Board meetings are held every other month in Warwick from 5:30 p.m - 7:30 p.m with the potential to join a working committee for meetings in between the full board meetings.
 
For further questions or follow-up, contact Laura Jaworski, Executive Director of House of Hope CDC

FUNDING OPPORTUNITES

Mini-Grants to Expand the Walk With Ease Program

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is offering mini-grants to Rhode Island organizations to expand the Walk with Ease (WWE) program. WWE is a six-week walking program that guides individuals through a participant resource book to engage in walking three times per week. Those who complete the program experience increased strength, stability, and balance as well as improved self-confidence. Eligible applicants are community-based organizations that demonstrate capacity to host one WWE program. Mini-grants will be offered in amounts up to $1,700. The WWE program may be self-directed or group led and must be completed by June 30, 2020.

The application deadline is 4 p.m. on March 6, 2020.  Refer to the request for proposals for more information and application instructions. 


Community Innovations Opportunity

Community Innovations is an 18-month program available for up to eight Community Development Corporations motivated to engage healthcare partners in their neighborhood revitalization work. This opportunity is designed for Community Development Corporations serving low-resourced areas in historically marginalized communities or non-profit organizations that engage community members to plan and implement neighborhood improvements that impact the social determinants of health. 

Selected organizations will be awarded up to $40,000 to support staff or a consultant to lead healthcare engagement, $60,000 of in-kind technical support provided by the Build Healthy Places Network, and facilitated connections to a national network of peer support. There will be an informational webinar for prospective applicants on February 27, 2020 from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. EST.  Sign up here.  

The proposal deadline is March 18, 2020.  Refer to the request for proposals for more information and application instructions. 


Youth Service Zone Grants to Increase Youth Volunteer Rates

Youth participation rates (volunteering, voting, and joining) have stagnated for the last decade, and participation rates are even lower among youth from low-income and minority communities.  Youth Service America (YSA) is working to change that.  Funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, YSA’s Youth Service Zone grants offer organizations and schools an opportunity to work collaboratively to increase the youth volunteer rates in their community.
 
Collaboratives of three organizations leading efforts in communities, regions, or states with at least 100,000 residents are eligible to apply. Each zone will receive a grant of $15,000 ($5,000 to each of the 3 collaborative leaders) to support program activities. Applicants may work locally (city, county, school district), regionally, or statewide.  Each collaborative applying will be required to have three organizations committed to leading this initiative, and will set a shared goal of increasing the youth volunteer rate in their community or state. 

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on March 27, 2020.  Refer to the Youth Service Zone website for more information and application instructions.  


DEM Grant to Help RI Communities Confront Climate Change

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced that around $3 million in matching grants is available for climate resilience projects throughout Rhode Island.  DEM is seeking grant proposals that will allow municipalities, other governmental entities, and nonprofits to implement climate resilience projects for many kinds of climate-driven challenges facing Rhode Island communities. 
 
Climate change is causing extreme weather, inland and coastal flooding, and sea level rise – resulting in environmental and economic challenges for Rhode Islanders and around the world. Scientific modeling predicts that these impacts are expected to accelerate. Each of Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns is vulnerable to climate change impacts, with infrastructure and natural systems at risk due to their location in riverine or coastal floodplains.

Additional information about eligible projects and the required match is available in the request for proposals.  The deadline to submit a proposal is 4 p.m. on April 6, 2020.   A public workshop has been scheduled to discuss the RFP on Monday, March 2 at 2 p.m. at DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade Street, Providence RI, Room 300.  For more information or to apply contact Elizabeth Stone


RISCA Project Grants in Healthcare

As part of the State Plan for Arts and Health, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) announces an upcoming Project Grants in Healthcare (PGH) for health-based organizations (clinical, behavioral, public health) to implement arts-based projects with an artist working in partnership with a licensed healthcare professional. 

PGH provides up to $9,000 in matching grants for arts projects that connect teaching artists with healthcare in hospitals or other healthcare settings.  Teaching artists experienced in healthcare settings need to partner with one or more licensed healthcare staff to implement the project. Arts-based professional development with a variety of staff from the healthcare organization is also strongly encouraged, with a priority placed on experiential learning and job-embedded experiences. 

The deadline to submit a proposal is 11:59 p.m. on April 1, 2020.  Refer to the request for proposals for more information and application instructions.  

UPCOMING EVENTS

State House Visits

The Rhode Island Public Health Association is hosting State House visits with Representative Teresa Tanzi of District 34.  These State House visits will provide:

  • A visit to the locations where Rhode Island bills are discussed and created
  • An opportunity to visit the location of many hearings 
  • A visual of the House and Senate chambers
  • A brief tour of the spaces in the State House to see bills debated 
WHEN:                                                  WHERE:   
February 25, 2020                                 Rhode Island State House
3:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.                             82 Smith Street
                                                              Providence, RI 02903

February 26, 2020                                 Rhode Island State House
3:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.                             82 Smith Street
                                                              Providence, RI 02903
register for the February 25 visit here
register for the February 26 visit here

Focus Group Opportunity for New Moms

Mission Analytics Group has been contracted by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health to conduct a study on the relationship between paid family leave/Temporary Caregivers Insurance (TCI) and women’s health. Two focus groups with new moms in Rhode Island will be conducted.   

Participants will receive a $50 gift card and $25 cash reimbursement for transportation. Participants must be eligible for the state’s TCI program (regardless of whether they used it) and have a baby between 12 weeks and one year old.  Interested participants should contact Ellie Coombs.

Your consideration of this request is greatly appreciated! It is important that focus group discussions represent the diversity of women’s experiences in Rhode Island.
WHEN:                                                  WHERE:   
February 27, 2020                                 Pawtucket
6 p.m.                           

February 28, 2020                                 Providence
3:30 p.m.

Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island Meet the Funders Session

Join the Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island (GCRI) for an interactive opportunity to learn about Rhode Island funders, their priority areas, application processes, and other opportunities to partner including sponsorship, volunteering, and in-kind donations.

This is not a "pitch" session, but rather an opportunity to get insights from the funders directly and ask questions in a small group setting.

In order to accommodate as many nonprofits as possible, GCRI requests that only one person from each nonprofit participate.  Light refreshments will be served during a networking opportunity before the session starts.

WHEN:                                                  WHERE:   
March 3, 2020                                       Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.                                  500 Exchange Street
                                                              Providence, RI 02903
register here

Free 12-Week Community Health Worker Training

Operating under many titles, Community Health Workers (CHWs) connect their peers to services, help navigate the healthcare system, and share and build community-based resources.  
 
The Community Health Worker Association of Rhode Island, in partnership with Rhode Island College's Institute for Education in Healthcare, offers a free 12-week CHW Core Competency Training.  This training educate participants in the 9 Core Competencies of a CHW including engagement methods and strategies, culturally an linguistically appropriate responsiveness, and ethical responsibility and professional skills. 

The next 12-week training is offered on Fridays from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. starting March 6, 2020.  Learn more and download the application here.  English language fluency required. 

Registration Open: 2020 Rhode Island Reproductive Health Summit




This year's Rhode Island Reproductive Health Summit will be held on March 11, 2020 from 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Rhode Island College and will focus on inclusive care for underserved populations. Register here.  For more information, contact Leah McPhail.    

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Training

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)’s Center for Emergency Preparedness & Response will provide training opportunities in the upcoming months to prepare Rhode Island communities to respond to emergency public health events. These training sessions will prepare individuals to work at Points of Dispensing (PODs) during a public health emergency that requires rapid dispensing of medical countermeasures (MCMs) such as antibiotics, vaccines, or other medical materiel.

All municipalities in Rhode Island are responsible for staffing one or more PODs during an emergency event. These PODs rely heavily on local community members, especially those with health backgrounds, to volunteer as POD staff and become trained on POD operations. Completing one of the training sessions below will not only prepare you to work at a POD, but also (with your consent) connect you with your municipality’s Emergency Management Agency Director who can offer additional training opportunities and/or contact you in the case of a public health emergency requiring a POD response.
 
In addition to serving your community during a public health crisis, POD volunteers also receive an important benefit when working at a POD: POD volunteers and their immediate families will receive the MCM during an emergency before the general population. We do this because we need POD staff healthy and able to work full shifts, focusing on the tasks at hand rather than worrying about their loved ones.
 
If you have received training on PODs in the past and are interested in more advanced training opportunities or have any questions or concerns, please contact Assistant MCM Program Director Travis Vendetti.

WHEN:                                                  WHERE:   
March 14, 2020                                     Wilbur & McMahon School
11 a.m..                                                 28 Commons
                                                              Little Compton, RI 02837

March 18, 2020                                     Tiverton Middle School
2 p.m.                                                    10 Quintal Drive
                                                              Tiverton, RI 02878

March 28, 2020                                     Smithfield Senior Center
10 a.m.                                                  1 William J. Hawkins Jr. Trail
                                                              Smithfield, RI 02828

April 14, 2020                                        North Providence High School
10 a.m.                                                  1828 Mineral Spring Avenue
                                                              North Providence, RI 02904

April 14, 2020                                        North Providence High School
1 p.m.                                                    1828 Mineral Spring Avenue
                                                              North Providence, RI 02904
sign up for the POD training courses here

Newport HEZ Community Baby Shower

Are you or is someone you know expecting a baby or have a newborn or young family at home?  Join the Newport Health Equity Zone for their free Community Baby Shower for food, raffles, BINGO and to learn more about resources for families in the community.  

If you are interested in participating as a vendor at the event, or for more information, contact Latisha Michel.  

WHEN:                                                  WHERE:   
April 4, 2020                                         Claiborne Pell Elementary School
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.                                      35 Dexter Street
                                                             Newport, RI 02840

Oral Health Equity Summit

RESOURCES

My Life My Quit

Help connect teens to Rhode Island's new and free safe and effective treatment for vaping addiction - designed just for teens.  By enrolling, teen participants 13-17 years old receive: 

  • Support by phone, text message, or online chat.
  • Five, one-on-one coaching sessions by phone, usually scheduled every 7-10 days. Coaching helps teens develop a quit plan, identify triggers, practice refusal skills, and receive ongoing support for changing behaviors.
  • Self-help and educational materials designed for teens, with input from teens.

Teens ages 13-17 can text "Start My Quit" to 855-891-9989 or call. It's that easy!  "My Life, My Quit" posters are also available for download and print, and can be displayed in schools, healthcare settings, and administrative offices.
 


Rhode to Health Medical Mobile Van

HEALTH EQUITY IN THE NEWS
Report: There's an Affordable Housing Crisis in RI | WPRI, February 20, 2020

Newsom: To Fix Homelessness, California Must Fix Mental Health | California Healthline, February 19, 2020

Childhood Asthma Burdens Providence's Low-Income Communities | Brown Daily Herald, February 19, 2020

In Rhode Island, Health Equity Zones Offer Communities a Voice | U.S. News & World Report, February 18, 2020

Open Door Health to Open Its Doors on March 2 | ConvergenceRI, February 17, 2020

DEM Announces Grants to Help Communities Confront Effects of Climate Change | Johnston Sunrise, February 14, 2020

Rhode Island Foundation Unveils 10-Year Plan to Address Healthcare Inequality | Brown Daily Herald, February 13, 2020

Rhode Islanders for Parentage Equality Cheers Unanimous Senate Passage of Rhode Island Parentage Act | Uprise RI, February 12, 2020

Brandeis Report: Opportunity Gap Among Children of Different Races in Providence Among Nation's Widest | Providence Journal, February 10, 2020

Statewide Health Plan Public Discussion Draws Nearly 200 | Providence Journal, February 10, 2020

A Surge for Sexual Minority Youth | U.S. News, February 10, 2020

My Turn: Hank Webster: Pricier Gasoline Will be Good for R.I. | Providence Journal, February 7, 2020

Beautiful Beginnings, Happy Endings | ConvergenceRI, February 10, 2020

North End Plan is About Balance | Newport This Week, February 6, 2020

Donegan: 'Splash Pad' Would Have Recreational, Public Health Benefits | Cranston Herald, January 29, 2020

Resident Input on North End Sought | Newport This Week, January 27, 2020

WWFD Looks to Save Lives by Distributing Narcan | The Coventry Courier, January 25, 2020

Newport Art Museum Hosting FUNDA FEST | NewportRI.com, January 22, 2020

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 


Let's work together to raise awareness of the exciting work happening across Rhode Island's Health Equity Zones. Reach out to RIDOH's HEZ Communications Lead to share:
  • News and upcoming events related to your Health Equity Zone.
  • Feedback on how we can strengthen our communications.
  • Plans for developing communications materials or holding public events.
Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908
Health Information Line: 401-222-5960 / RI Relay 711

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