The Rhode Island Department of Health is excited to present the CHW Voices Community Health Worker Conference: Building Bridges: Strengthening Communities and Advancing Systems Together—a celebration of the vital role Community Health Workers (CHWs) play in advancing he......More
The Rhode Island Department of Health is excited to present the CHW Voices Community Health Worker Conference: Building Bridges: Strengthening Communities and Advancing Systems Together—a celebration of the vital role Community Health Workers (CHWs) play in advancing health equity. This conference has been funded by the CCR grant (Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient Communities initiative, a grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). We acknowledge the partnership of CTC-RI and thank them for their organizational support for this conference! Sponsors NeededSponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels. Here is a link to the sponsorship flyer. Here is a page with sponsorship outreach tips to help you approach your employer or partner organiztion. Even raffle items help! This inspiring event brings together CHWs and allies to: Highlight CHW impact across systems and communitiesShare real-world stories, successes, and challengesBuild cross-sector connections for collaboration and mentorshipIdentify actionable steps to support and sustain the CHW workforce Attendees will leave with new connections, practical tools, and strategies to drive change—plus inspiration from powerful peer and community-led efforts. Whether you’re a CHW, an ally, or simply passionate about health equity, we invite you to be part of this moment. Waitlist FullConference Planning CommitteeThese CHWs and allies planned this conference for you! Felix A Colon Jr, LCSW, CHW Director of Family and Strengthening, Connecting for Children and Families About FelixFelix Colon’s decade-long tenure at Connecting for Children and Families (CCF) has been marked by remarkable professional ascent and impactful contributions. Starting as a Family Engagement Coordinator, he rose to become the Director of Family Strengthening, overseeing both the community health worker team and the Front St Family Center. Alongside his tenure, Felix pursued academic advancement, earning a Master’s in Social Work with a Macro focus.In 2017, Felix seized the opportunity to transition into a Diabetes Prevention coach role, igniting a trajectory of leading various Diabetes Prevention programs (DPP), including workshops on Chronic Disease and Chronic Pain Management. Outside CCF, Felix’s commitment to community well-being extended to clinical work with youths aged 11-21 at Jamat Housing: Turning The Corner group home. Here, his focus on Mental Health and Wellness and the Abuse Reactive Treatment Program showcased his exceptional ability to guide individuals through trauma and abuse-related challenges. Felix’s ability to integrate clinical insights into community health initiatives reflects his versatility and dedication to family-centered practice. He is for driving positive change and fostering healthier communities through his advocacy and leadership at CCF and beyond. Felix also co-facilitates monthly Woonsocket Community Health Worker Network meetings with Linda Brunetti from the Autism Project. Close Section Ámbar Delgado, CCHW 02907 HEZ Co-chair & CHW Conference Consultant About ÁmbarÁmbar Delgado has been a dedicated member of the Rhode Island Community Health Worker (CHW) Conference Planning Committee for the past three years and currently serves as Co-Chair of the 02907 HEZ. She brings a powerful combination of lived experience, public health knowledge, and a deep commitment to equity-driven, community-centered care. Her leadership helps shape inclusive, culturally responsive programming that reflects the diverse realities of CHWs across the state.Ámbar’s unwavering dedication was recently recognized when she received the Change Maker Award from the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and American Lung Association of Rhode Island—an honor that highlights her impact in advancing health equity and chronic disease prevention at the community level.Outside of her formal roles, Ámbar volunteers at Clínica Esperanza, a free clinic serving uninsured and underinsured populations, and leads outreach efforts supporting people experiencing homelessness. Whether in professional settings or through grassroots advocacy, Ámbar remains a passionate force for health justice and systemic change in Rhode Island. Close SectionAlicia Fernades (she/her), CCHWCommunity Outreach Representative, United Healthcare About AliciaAlicia Fernandes is a dedicated Community Outreach Representative with UnitedHealthcare Community & State, where she has served for nearly three years. With over a decade of experience in the health insurance field, Alicia began her career in Medicare enrollment with Blue Cross Blue Shield and has since held impactful roles including Tier Two Escalation Analyst at HealthSource Rhode Island. Her work has supported vital programs such as the Ryan White AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and the Rite Share program.Alicia is deeply committed to addressing social determinants of health and advocating for underserved communities. In her current role, she not only engages directly with members but also serves as the Coordinator for the Community & State Member Advisory Committee and the Volunteer Coordinator for UnitedHealthcare’s community events—successfully organizing over 1,000 volunteer hours in the past two years. She is also an active member of UnitedHealthcare’s CIDE (Culture, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity) Council.Beyond her professional responsibilities, Alicia is a proud board member of The Empowerment Factory and The Village for Rhode Island Foster and Adoptive Families. She also contributes her time and leadership to several committees in her Smith Hill neighborhood.Alicia’s unwavering passion for service is best captured in her personal mantra: “If I have helped one person today, I have done my job.” Close SectionMayelyn Gomez (she/her), CCHWRI Works Statewide Partnership Coordinator, CCAP About MayelynMayelyn is a dedicated leader and community advocate with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Currently Pursing a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Mayelyn is committed to driving meaningful change and fostering positive development within her community. As a mother of four she brings resilience, motivation, and purpose to every endeavor. In addition she enjoys journaling and working out, which fuels her personal growth and well-being. Close SectionAhkia Green (she/her), CCHWCHW, Oak Street Health About AhkiaAhkia Green is proud to be serving as part of the conference planning committee this year. She come swith 3 years of experience as a community health worker in the Woonsocket, Cumberland, Lincoln, Smithfield territory. She started working as an official CHW on 7/23 and received her CCHW 4/24. In this time she has established endless relationships with patients within the community and been an advocate for those in need. Close SectionGeraldine McPhee, CCHWPolicy & Systems Specialist, RIPIN Community Health Worker Consultant, Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) About GerryGeraldine McPhee has over 45 years of experience building community with people with disabilities and learning differences. She is a CCHW and a recognized facilitator of family and community engagement at RIPIN, Inc. With support from the Rhode Island Department of Health, she co-founded RI CHW Voices with Swanette Salazar. She finds resiliency in relationships with others, in nature, and through the arts. Close SectionLina Roman (she/her), CCHW Community Health Worker Supervisor, Family Support Network of RI Founder, Latinx Support Group for CHWs About LinaLina Roman, holds an Associate Certificate in Computer Office Technology from New England Tech, a Certificate in Social and Human Services from Rhode Island College, and certification as a Community Health Worker (CHW) from RIC/CHWARI. Over the years, she has dedicated herself to serving the Hispanic community, leveraging her skills and expertise to ensure access to vital health programs and resources.As the Bilingual Program Coordinator at CHWARI, she leads training sessions in Spanish for our CHWs, empowering them to effectively serve Spanish-speaking populations. At Integra Care of New England, she has spent 6 ½ years as a CCHW in a complex care program, assisting patients in addressing both medical conditions and social needs, particularly those frequenting emergency rooms.“My passion lies in advocating for the Hispanic community, with a focus on preventing and managing chronic illnesses. I have been a staunch advocate for lead poisoning prevention, striving to protect families from this pervasive threat. Additionally, my involvement as a Board Director at CLAP underscores my commitment to addressing disparities, particularly concerning the homeless population.In 2023, I served as an ambassador for the 1st Conference for CHWs in RI, furthering my dedication to advancing the field. Currently, I lead a Latinx Support Group for CHWs in RI, providing mentorship and support to new CHWs while fostering a collaborative and empowering environment.I participated this year as a Panelist on the Summit for RIPHA 2024, Innovative Approaches to Advance Health Equity my topic was talk in regards to “Bridging Communication Gaps in Marginalized Communities as Latinx”.Looking ahead, I am committed to continuing my education and expanding my impact within the Hispanic community and the most important is educating them how to prevent chronic conditions and be healthier. Whether through further certifications, innovative initiatives, or policy advocacy, I am determined to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those I serve. I do want to explore other areas and used all my experience and expertise as a CHW to help our communities.” Close SectionSwanette Salazar (she/her), CCHW Lead Community Health Worker Consultant, CTC-RI, Community Health Worker Supervisor, FSRI About SwanetteSwanette Salazar is the RI Community Health Worker Ambassador for the National Association of Community Health Workers and the Lead Community Health Worker for the First Connection Program at the Family Service of Rhode Island non-profit organization. In her role, she serves new families, foster youth, and families with children. She also serves as the Lead CHW Consultant for the Rhode Island Equity Initiative, where she actively supports CHWs as an engaged partner for multidisciplinary teams, valuing their contributions and advancing community and clinical linkages. Swanette has been recognized as part of the Governor’s Team Rhode Island and was recently named the 2024 Elizabeth Burke Bryant Hero Award recipient from Brown University’s Hassenfeld Institute for her work with children and families in RI. Close SectionRachel Young (she/her), CHW Engagement Coordinator, Alliance for Community Health Worker Employers, Health Initiatives, RIPIN About RachelRachel Young, Engagement Coordinator for the Alliance for CHW Employers, is passionate about a holistic approach to promoting health and wellness, focusing not only on individual behavior change but also on building organizational capacity and community support systems. As a facilitator of wellness workshops, she believes strongly that sharing evidence-based practices, enables individuals to make informed decisions about their health and equips them with the knowledge and tools to make positive lifestyle changes. Close Section
Rhode Island
