Resident Consultants - Newport Health Equity Zone

The role of the resident consultant is to:

ensure that all Newport-HEZ initiatives contain community input.
actively participate in all working group conversations.
assist all members of the HEZ collaborative with organizing community events and soliciting community input.

To learn more or sign up to become a resident consultant, email infohez@wrcnbc.org

Newport Health Equity Zone — How We Began and Where We Are

Since 2015, the Newport Health Equity Zone has been able to accomplish important community- and societal-level social determinants of health-focused outcomes. Centering on resident voice and using a resident empowerment approach, the HEZ has fostered the following outcomes:

The HEZ has:

developed an active transportation advocacy plan, introduced resident-written Green & Complete Streets Ordinance, and installed 40 signs/ bike and walking trails in the neighborhood through the HEZ Transportation Workgroup;

increased the visibility of equity as a cite-wide priority as evidenced by the Newport Open Space Plan including a section on equity and Newport’s Comprehensive Plan specifically citing the HEZ as a critical partner in the planning and development of Newport;

achieved a long-term outcome of the placement of a resident on each of the following boards and commissions: (1) the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, (2) the Affirmative Action Commission, and (3) the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Commission;

provided training and education that addresses root causes of health disparities;

provided racial equity training to over 150 people;

trained 8 Community-based, Certified Community Health Workers that will contribute to RI’s vision of a community-located, culturally responsive healthcare delivery system;

established the North Side Community Farmers Market;

funded 20+ physical activity programs offered by residents, for residents; and

leveraged over 1.5 million dollars to support the HEZ Action Plan.