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The Tri-County Connector
Featuring Tri-County Community Action Agency news, program, and community updates to help keep you connected.
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Joseph DeSantis, President & CEO of Tri-County CAA Celebrates
50 Years of Service
We are thrilled to announce the remarkable milestone of Joseph DeSantis, esteemed President & CEO, who celebrated his 50th anniversary of employment with the organization this summer. This significant achievement highlights Joe's unwavering dedication and invaluable contributions to the agency's mission of empowering communities and improving lives.
Since joining Tri-County Community Action Agency in 1973, Joe has exemplified exceptional leadership, compassion, and commitment to serving those in need. Starting out as a program director, his passion for helping others combined with a natural ability to lead, and a strong work ethic quickly propelled him into the CEO position in 1980. Through his visionary guidance, the agency has grown to include 16 locations across RI, expanding its programs and services to positively impact countless individuals and families throughout the region.
Over the course of his illustrious career, Mr. DeSantis has spearheaded numerous transformative initiatives, such as operating a Federally Qualified Health Center, and one of the largest employment and training programs in the state, all aimed at addressing poverty, promoting education, ensuring affordable housing, and enhancing access to healthcare. His unwavering passion and tireless efforts have played a pivotal role in improving the quality of life for the most vulnerable members of our community.
Under Mr. DeSantis's astute leadership, Tri-County Community Action Agency has garnered widespread recognition for its exceptional achievements and innovative approaches to community development, and most recently for its Health Equity Zone initiative and Mobile Health program. The agency, and Mr. DeSantis himself, have received numerous accolades and awards, solidifying its reputation as a leading force in social services, including being named the RI Verazzano Italo-American “Man of the Year” in 2015, the Washington County Children’s Coalition Special Recognition Community Service Award in 2012, and the South County Community Action “Man of the Year” Award in 2008.
As Tri-County celebrates Joseph DeSantis's remarkable 50-year journey, the organization remains committed to building upon his legacy and furthering its mission, and to creating lasting positive change in our community.
Congratulations, Joe!
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Tri-County Health Center Receives Grant Funding for
Early Childhood Development
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Tri-County is the only Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in the state to receive funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for this early childhood development grant project.
The funding, $200,00 per year for 3 years, will be used to increase the number of children age 0-5 who receive recommended developmental screenings, and to increase the number of children and their families assisted with accessing appropriate follow-up services within 30 days of a developmental screening identifying an area of concern.
Grant funding comes after a need was identified through a community needs' assessment for developmental screening and follow up services for children ages 0-5. Developmental screenings during this time can identify early issues. Early identification supports timely treatment or intervention, thereby increasing the opportunity for successful health outcomes. Early identification of developmental progress is critical since 1 in 6 children has one or more developmental or behavioral disabilities or delays. Environmental and health related social needs such as food and housing insecurity, and parental depression or other mental health issues can contribute to gaps in school readiness.
With the new grant funding, Tri-County proposes to increase screenings, connect families to treatment or intervention, and increase child outcomes by utilizing collaborative relationships between the Tri-County Health Center, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, Health Equity Zone, Family Care Community Partnership (FCCP) program, WIC program, and other Tri-County programs that address the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH).
Community Health Centers, like Tri-County, are an essential source of pediatric care. This funding will allow our center to strengthen child development capabilities through training, staffing enhancements, strenthening partnerships, and building relationships with an array of community partners.
In addition to Tri-County, HRSA awarded $30 Million to health centers across the country. to increase developmental screenings for children age 0-5.
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Suzanne Lowe, CNM Receives 2023
Health Center Beacon Award!
Suzane Lowe, Certified Nurse Midwife for Tri-County Health Centers has been recognized as a recipient of this year's Health Center Beacon award by the Rhode Island Health Center Association (RIHCA). The Health Center Beacon Awards name one individual from each of the Rhode Island community health centers who have exemplified the health center's mission over the previous 12 months. The award recipients are identified every August, as part of the National Health Center Week celebrations.
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Suzanne Lowe, CNM is is a beacon of hope and resilience at Tri-County Health Centers. Her unwavering commitment to patient health and access to care inspires us all to work more efficiently, with innovation and confidence. By willingly taking on risk mangement and infection control duties, Suzanne ensures a safe environment for all. Her innovative spirit led to the establishment of the health center's much needed women's health and prenatal programs, transforming countless lives of underserved women and babies in our state. She is a champion for reproductive health, and helped to bring essential contraceptive options for women to RI. Beyond the clinic, Suzanne's volunteer work with Mission Honduras showcases her dedication to global health and humanitarian causes. Through her selflessness, expertise, and determination, Suzanne Lowe has created a lasting impact on the staff and patients of Tri-County Health Centers, fostering hope and empowerment for those she serves.
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Now Recruiting for Head Start Classrooms,
and RI Pre Kindergarten!
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Early education programs offer young learners opportunities to boost social and emotional development, language skills, and reading skills. Children who participate in early education programs, like Head Start and pre-kindergarten, often are better prepared for kindergarten, and perform better in school throughout their acadmic careers.
Head Start is a free early education program for children from birth through age 5, and for pregnant moms. Head Start and Early Head Start offer classroom and home-based learning options for children, parenting classes, access to family support resources, and more! We also provide free healthy meals and snacks for kids attending our programs.
Tri-County offers Head Start, and Early Head Start programs in Johnston, North Providence, Burrillville, North Kingstown, Wakefield, and Westerly. Contact us today at (401) 519-1979 for more information, or to see if you qualify for Head Start! Click HERE to apply now.
Tri-County offers RI state Pre Kindergarten classrooms in North Providence, South Kingstown, and Westerly. RI Pre Kindergarten placement is lottery based, and is free for those that enroll. To learn more about Tri-County Pre Kindergarten classrooms, contact us at (401) 519-1979.
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Tri-County Health Equity Zone Offers
Postpartum Support Group
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Tri-County HEZ will now offer a postpartum support group for new parents! Starting on September 1, 2023, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. The group will meet twice per month, on the first Friday, and the 3rd Monday of each month. Groups are offered at no cost for new parents.
The Postpartum New Parent Support Groups will be held at the Tri-County HEZ Community Center, at 104 Greenville Ave., Johnston.
To register for the new RI Postpartum New Parent Support Group, please contact [email protected]. Refreshments, and other materials will be provided.
Visit the HEZ Facebook page to learn about other programs and learning sessions coming this fall!
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Medicaid Renewals are Underway for Rhode Islanders |
This April kicked-off the Medicaid Redetermination initiative. Medicaid Redetermination means that every Rhode Islander who is on Medicaid will have their status reviewed at some point during the next 14 months.
What can you do to prepare for this review? We have a few easy ideas to help you get ready.
First, contact a Health Insurance Navigator to make sure all the information in your HealthSource RI account is correct. With your permission, a Navigator can access the account online and you can review the information together.
Your account should also show the month your Medicaid benefits will be reviewed (if you have children on Medicaid, your account probably won’t be looked at before January 2024).
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How Can I Contact a Navigator?
Tri-County has Health Insurance Navigators on staff and ready to help you through the process. Contact a Navigator at (401) 519-1959, or (401) 330-5575. We can work with all RI residents, and it’s absolutely free. Just say “I want to review my Medicaid account”. You must be the primary person on the account or an authorized person to review or make changes.
Help is here and available at Tri-County CAA for you and your family. We are just a quick phone call away!
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Agency News and Announcements | |
The Tri-County Low Income Water Assistance Program (LIWAP) will continue taking applications through September 15, 2023. LIWAP is available to help clients pay for home water and wastewater bills. Contact us at (401)519-1913 to apply.
The LIHEAP Program will re-open for applications on October 1, 2023. Previous clients will receive information in the mail to reapply. If you would like to apply for LIHEAP for the first time, contact us on or after October 1, at (401)519-1913. The Tri-County LIHEAP Program offers help with home heating bills for those that qualify.
We're on YouTube! Click HERE to watch our Health Center provider mini-series, and learn more about services available in the Health Centers!
Tri-County Health Centers are now accepting new medical, pediatric, and behavioral health patients! We are your 1-stop center for primary care, pediatrics, prenatal care, behavioral health, and more! Contact us at (401)519-1940 to schedule an appointment.
The Tri-County Health Mobile is now scheduling visits to community organizations. Would you like to have the Health Mobile come to your organization? We can provide immunizations, and primary care services to residents and/or clients. The Tri-County Health Mobile is a state-of-the-art vehicle, equipped with 2 patient exam rooms, lab, patient reception area, and restroom. Contact Greg, Tri-County's Mobile Health Coordinator, at [email protected] to learn more about our mobile health services.
Visit the Tri-County Booth at the 2023 Johnston Apple Festival! We will be at the Johnston Apple Festival on Saturday, September 9th, from 10 am to 4 pm. The event will be held at the Johnston Memorial Park, 1583 Hartford Ave., Johnston.
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Tri-County Community Action Agency |TriCountyRI.org
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