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RI CHW VOICESMay 19, 2025

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  • Welcome & Icebreaker
  • Hear From Community Partners and Advocates
  • Breakout & Group Discussion
  • Resources
  • What’s Next

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Life is a rollercoaster—during hard times, let’s lift each other up, care for ourselves, and support one another, just as we do for those we serve

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�What is the weirdest thing in your fridge right now?�

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Save RIPTA Transit Package will have their all-important hearings this next Wednesday May 21st at 4:00pm! Testimony to HouseFinance@rilegislature.gov by 1:00pm on Wednesday. (Agenda [status.rilegislature.gov])

We have testimony guides updated on the website [pvdstreets.org] (and below), and if you plan to attend in person please let one of us know, we want to ensure we have everyone represented!

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Data Helps with advocacy efforts

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Many already collect data to help support what we already know, lived, and hear.

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MTM Elderly Transportation Program

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For RI residents 60+ with no access to transportation

Provides transportation to and from medical appointments, adult day care, meal sites, dialysis/cancer treatment and the Insight Program

Meal Site trips: 10-2pm

$2 co-pay collected by driver for each right (to and from, $4 total for roundtrip)

48 hours notice required

1-855-330-9131�D/HoH: 711

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DARE: Direct Action for Rights & Equality

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Senior Center Bus/Van

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Keys to Success

For more information contact:

Chris Ackley at cackley@gencenter.org

401-781-6110

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Addressing Stigma with children

The Libraries have some great books to read with children to help them gain a better understanding and help reduce the stigma and embarrassment that could come from getting food aid.​

Saturday at the Food Pantry​

Maddi's Fridge​

Pa, Me, and Our Sidewalk Pantry

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The Genesis Project​

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East Bay Supports (Providence, Bristol, Tiverton, Barrington, Little Compton, Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Jamestown

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How it works​

When you arrive at the farmers market just head to the welcome table with your EBT card​

Let's say you want to spend $10, a market staff member will swipe your card for $10 and give you $20 in "bonus bucks" tokens to spend at the market ​

Think if it as a buy one get one free. Meaning for every EBT dollar. you get an extra dollar in bonus bucks to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmer's market

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SNAP Benefits – �Eat Well Be Well

The program works by giving customers $.50 in SNAP benefits for every $1 spent on qualifying fruits and vegetables at participating retailers.​

All SNAP recipients are automatically enrolled in the program. The additional benefits, up to $25 a month, are loaded to the customer’s EBT card for the future purchase of qualifying SNAP products at in-store locations

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Meals on Wheels Food Pantry​

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SNAP Outreach

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Mom's Meals w/ Meals on Wheels

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SNAP Benefits – Sun Bucks (AKA Summer EBT) | Starting June 2025

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Families with eligible school-age children will receive a one-time summer issuance of $120 per child for groceries.​

Some children will be enrolled in SUN Bucks automatically

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Meals on Wheels​

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Your voice and experiences make a difference!

Collective Action takes many forms:�

    • Spreading awareness�
    • Joining local coalitions�
    • Staying informed through �newsletters�
    • Staying connected through

networks�

    • Testifying for/against legislation �(verbal or written)

    • Staying connected to networks

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��

Quick Breakout Conversation

Go into breakout groups and discuss:

    • A challenge you are experiencing around food or transportation.�
    • Are you collecting any data to communicate the urgency you are seeing?�
    • A new idea on how you would like to tackle that challenge?�
    • Ideal partners you would like to connect with.�
  • Please allow time for all to speak and one person share out to larger group.

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What type of support do you need from your CHW family today?

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LEGAL KEY PARTNERSHIP FOR HEALTH & JUSTICE | DIGITAL DIGEST

Legal Key (formerly MLPB) regularly updates its digital digest with essential information on housing laws, eviction rights, legal guidance, and other housing resources.

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We are our greatest resource! Stay connected, and never hesitate to ask—your fellow community colleagues may have valuable insights or know of available resources to support you.

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RI Community Resource Group

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THIRD ANNUAL RI CHW VOICES CONFERENCE

Theme: Building Bridges: Strengthening Communities & Advancing Systems Together

June 26th at the Pawtucket Boys & Girls Club

Deadline today to nominate a CHW or CHW ally in RI!�

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THANK YOU &

TAKE CARE

Need more time to discuss strategies?�

Join the Roadmap implementation groups

Find this PowerPoint and other resources on the CHWARI CHW Voices page

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Post-Session Notes

  • PSC Sign Up
  • Save RIPTA Campaign
  • Liza Burkin: liza@pvdstreets.org , pvdstreets.org
  • CHW Billing:
    • Non-medical and clinical transportation (warm handoff)
    • Many clinics (dental) do not provide translation.
    • Considering sharing data on the gap with RIDOH and CTC.
  • Transportation
    • MTM:Translation / communications issues Service is often late or don’t show up
    • Senior Center is a free ride back and forth. (trying to get this to also connect to the YMCA through an AARP grant). Also trying to put in place a for “cross-town” bus so that seniors don’t have to take two buses.
  • Capitol Goods Fund: https://capitalgoodfund.org/
  • https://www.rienergy.com/site/ways-to-save/assistance-programs/shut-off-protections
  • CLAS Standards: https://health.ri.gov/health-equity/culturally-and-linguistically-appropriate-services-clas-standards
  • Under Rhode Island General Law § 23-17-54, all hospitals and emergency care facilities:
  • Salvation Army for rental assistance
  • Utilities - Medicaid and SSI recipients receive discounted rates

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