Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Advocating for Community Health Centers in Rhode Island
Since 1972, the Rhode Island Health Center Association has served as the leading advocate for community-based primary care health programs across the state. Our organization supports ten member health centers, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, by providing critical resources in policy advocacy, workforce development, and operational guidance. Through strategic partnerships with federal and state agencies, we ensure access to high-quality healthcare for all Rhode Islanders regardless of income. Our expertise in chronic care management, emergency preparedness, and public health policy positions us as a trusted authority in expanding healthcare access.With over five decades of experience, we maintain rigorous compliance with federal standards while adapting to evolving healthcare challenges. Our commitment to transparency and community governance ensures accountability to the populations we serve. As the state's primary care association, we demonstrate leadership through innovative training programs, technical assistance, and data-driven performance assessments that strengthen the safety net healthcare system.
Services
Health Insurance Assistance
Policy Advocacy
Workforce Development
Technical Training
Performance Assessment
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- We have over 50 years of experience in healthcare advocacy
- Our team provides specialized training in federal health programs
- We maintain official partnerships with HRSA and state agencies
- Our organization supports 10 member health centers statewide
- We implement evidence-based chronic care management strategies
Services
Health Insurance Assistance
We provide comprehensive health insurance enrollment assistance through certified application counselors. Our team helps Rhode Islanders navigate Medicaid, Medicare, and Affordable Care Act marketplace options. This service includes personalized guidance for low-income families and vulnerable populations to ensure access to essential healthcare coverage.
Policy Advocacy
Our organization represents community health centers in legislative and regulatory matters at state and federal levels. We develop policy positions on healthcare access, funding, and quality standards. This includes advocating for sustainable reimbursement models and expanded federal health programs to strengthen safety net providers.
Workforce Development
We offer professional development programs for healthcare providers and administrators through our statewide training initiatives. Our curriculum covers clinical best practices, health equity strategies, and operational management for community health centers. These programs address recruitment and retention challenges in underserved areas.
Technical Assistance
Our experts provide customized consulting services to improve health center performance metrics. This includes quality improvement frameworks, electronic health record optimization, and compliance with federal reporting requirements. We help centers maximize participation in federal programs like the 340B drug pricing initiative.
Public Health Initiatives
We coordinate statewide health improvement projects focused on chronic disease prevention and health equity. Our initiatives address social determinants of health through cross-sector collaborations. This includes emergency preparedness planning and expanding access to behavioral health services across Rhode Island.
People
Alison Croke
President and CEO
Alison Croke leads the Rhode Island Health Center Association with over 25 years of healthcare administration experience. She previously served as CEO of Wood River Health Services, expanding access to primary care in rural communities. Her leadership focuses on health equity and strengthening the state's safety net healthcare system.
Questions
What does RIHCA do?
We advocate for community health centers across Rhode Island, providing policy leadership, training programs, and operational support to ensure access to affordable healthcare for all residents.
How can I get health insurance assistance?
Our certified application counselors provide free guidance for Medicaid, Medicare, and Affordable Care Act marketplace enrollment through our member health centers statewide.
Are your services free?
Our health insurance assistance and community health center services are provided at no cost to patients, with sliding fee scales available based on income.
How do you support health centers?
We offer technical training, policy advocacy, and performance improvement resources to help member health centers maintain federal funding and deliver high-quality care.
What areas do you serve?
Our member health centers provide care across all five counties in Rhode Island, including urban, suburban, and rural communities.
How are you funded?
We receive federal grants from HRSA and support from state agencies, with additional funding through training contracts and membership dues from our member health centers.
