Strengthening the HCBS workforce and community support continuum in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is home to a large aging population, with over 31% of residents aged 55 or older, compared to 28% nationally.1 Rhode Islanders with disabilities make up 13% of the state’s population. Current statistics show that the state is simultaneously experiencing severe workforce shortages across the health and human services sector.2 Transportation barriers, food insecurity and inaccessible housing continue to place older adults and individuals with disabilities at risk of avoidable hospital visits and premature institutional care.
To help address these circumstances, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Rhode Island is investing $75,000 in four community-driven initiatives designed to strengthen the direct-care workforce and expand the everyday supports that help people to live safely and independently.
CNA to Medication Technician career pathway
Part of this investment is a new collaboration with AccessPoint RI, the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner and RI Reconnect to launch a CNA-to-MedTech Career Pathway Pilot. The program will enroll 13–20 participants, many of them current Direct Support Professionals, and provide tuition assistance, hybrid evening courses at the Rhode Island Nursing Education Center and personalized career coaching.
Equally important are the wraparound services that make advancement possible for working adults: childcare assistance, transportation stipends, technology access and one-on-one navigation through RI Reconnect. The program is designed to achieve at least 80% credential completion, helping participants earn family-sustaining wages while expanding the pipeline of skilled caregivers Rhode Island urgently needs.
"Our Rhode Island Reconnect program helps adult students return to the classroom and supports their postsecondary education journey by assisting them with out-of-pocket costs not covered by tuition and financial aid," said Shannon Gilkey, Rhode Island's Postsecondary Education Commissioner. "The financial burden of education on anyone at any age is difficult, but it is especially so for adults who are disadvantaged economically, or disabled, or who have established homes, families, and work obligations. Taking the financial obligation off the table permits students to devote their time to completing their studies rather than how they are going to pay for their education. To UnitedHealthcare, we are grateful for their ongoing support to our shared goal of investing in Rhode Islanders.”
Creating stability and opportunity for veterans
UnitedHealthcare is also supporting Operation Stand Down Rhode Island, the state’s primary resource for homeless and at-risk veterans. Funding will offer a cohort of 20–30 veterans with housing move-in assistance, employment training, legal navigation and certification materials. Stipends for transportation and childcare will help participants complete programs and transition into stable work. By addressing housing, behavioral health and employment together, the initiative aims to reduce crises that can lead to emergency department use or chronic homelessness.
Expanding independent aging services in Southern Rhode Island
In Washington County, Southern Rhode Island Volunteers helps seniors who can no longer drive or carry groceries. A UHC investment will expand grocery delivery, rides to medical appointments and companionship services for isolated older adults. Volunteers will coordinate deliveries from local markets and food pantries, assist with online ordering and provide transportation to pharmacies and clinics. These practical supports help prevent missed appointments, poor nutrition and a lack of social connection.
Making homes safer and more accessible
For many people with disabilities, independence hinges on a simple modification: a ramp, a grab bar, a widened doorway. Through collaboration with the Ocean State Center for Independent Living, 20–25 Rhode Islanders will receive home accessibility improvements that insurance often cannot address quickly. Timely repairs and adaptations reduce fall risk and allow individuals to remain in the communities they call home.
Measuring impact and accountability
Across all four initiatives, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Rhode Island is committed to accountability. Collaborators will track:
- Workforce enrollment and CNA/MedTech completion rates
- Number of veterans completing training and securing housing
- Transportation rides and grocery deliveries provided
- Home modifications completed and individuals served
These metrics support continuous improvement and align with Rhode Island’s goals for aging in place and workforce transformation. As Rhode Island continues to advance integrated, community-centered models, UHC’s involvement demonstrates managed care’s impact on strengthening the workforce, reducing avoidable utilization and building healthier, more resilient communities across the state.
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