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sriAHEC Community Health Projects/Programs

In keeping with sriAHEC’s mission, the five projects listed below received funding ranging between $2,000-$30,000 during the summer of 2010:

• RI Coalition for the Homeless is developing a program to distribute food to homeless and disabled clients in southern Rhode Islanders through a food voucher program whereby area restaurants will provide hot meals to those who cannot utilize traditional food stamps.
• RI Free Clinic During the three months of the project, 22 physicians who serve uninsured clients in Newport County were added to the program. The physician recruiter introduced the RIFC to many providers and their staff, some for the first time.
• Shape Up Road Island expanded its health and fitness program to include 58 Primary Care Physicians Practices in southern Rhode Island, representing a total of 203 health-care providers and associates who are now referring their patients to the Shape Up Rhode Island community wellness program with a focus on obesity/weigh gain treatment and prevention.
• Food for Life's three medical students from Brown University facilitated the recovery of women from drug addiction by conducting health and nutrition sessions at the Providence Center. The program combined scientific nutrition training as well as emotional support techniques.
• Urban Health Watch's public awareness campaign provided southern RI residents with information to support better health, and about health-care careers training via WRIU radio. Among the lessons learned: southern Rhode Islanders who are self employed as fishermen or in other marine/coastal industries have special health-care needs. There is also a need for specialized vocational training that addresses low-literacy learners such as CNA programs.

Projects Previously Selected for Funding (FY 2009)

• Washington County Coalition for Children implemented a continuing education program in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with children to improve mental health-care delivery.
• Memorial Hospital, Department of Family Medicine Residents bought equipment to provide multidisciplinary simulation training in obstetrical emergencies.
• Mapping Project to map access to health-care.

Testimonials
“We have learned that those that would be affected by the Food Access Project are looking forward to our success. We have also learned that we are on to something that is long overdue – (and) have received much encouragement and support from many organizations and individuals.”
………. Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless

“With the support of sriAHEC, the RIFC extended its outreach to new areas of the state and increased awareness of what can be accomplished with the support of community-based organizations.”
………. The Rhode Island Free Clinic

“(I)n just Southern Rhode Island, as a result of our intense efforts funded by sriAHEC, we have 203 providers and can expect close to 1000 participants. This surpassed our goal of 400 participants two and a half times.”
……… Shape Up Rhode Island

“Through teaching Food for Life, we have come to realize that the most important and effective way to teach about nutrition and health is to address the emotional side of food and eating as well as the science of nutrition.
…….. Three medical students, Food For Life

“Urban Health Watch Radio was a media project that captured the interest of health advocates and community members not just in the South County area, but also statewide. …. Based on listener feedback, Urban Health Watch radio was a unique alternative to print media as a means of getting health information and resources to the community.”
……… Urban Health Watch Radio