Rhode to Equity Teams Reflect on Year 1 Work

  • 07 Jul 2022

In June, the 6 Road to Equity teams came together to share and celebrate their first year project work. Each team spoke about what they had done to explore an issue related to inequity within their communities.

This project, based on the Pathways to Population Health Framework, has 6 participating teams made up of a health equity zone (HEZ) as well as other partners in the work: accountable entities, primary care clinics, community health teams, community-based organizations, community health workers and individuals with lived experience of inequities. Throughout the year, the teams were supported by coaches from RIDOH, CTC-RI, and the Wellbeing and Equity in the World (WE Team).

The teams chose their focus issues based on asset mapping and a structured process in which they engaged with community members with lived experiences of inequity. Two teams, East Providence and Pawtucket/Central Falls, based their work in year 1 around food access. Another two teams, Central Providence and 02907, focused on housing insecurity. Finally, the teams from Washington County and Woonsocket worked on supporting groups within their community with high ED utilization.

The Rhode to Equity project is funded through the RI Executive Office of Health and Human Services and RI Department of Health. We’re looking forward to kicking off the second year of this project on July 15. In year 2, the teams will move toward implementation of their developed action plans, and also build on the strengths and expertise of new CHWs hired with funding from the CDC.