Rhode Island Department of Health
Division of Community Health and Equity
3 Capitol Hill
Providence,
RI
USA
02908
Email:
Maria.Matias@health.ri.gov
Biographical Sketch:
CURRENT POSITION:
RIDOH Community Communication Systems Coordinator (98 to present)
Develop and coordinate educational activities for linguistically and culturally disadvantage groups such as: Hispanics/Latinos, Black/African Americans, Asian/South East Asians, Native Americans, Elderly and Persons with Disabilities.
Coordinate the Diabetes Multicultural Coalition, a compendium of 65 local agencies that serves as a Community Advisory Board to the Diabetes Control Program
Develop of DIRES (Diabetes Information, Referral and Education Specialist) Curriculum & Resource Manual.
Coordinate DIRES training.
Coordinate DMC quarterly & sub-committees monthly meetings.
Supervision of Diabetes Multicultural Outreach Project (3 grantee agencies)
Coordinate the Diabetes Control Program Diabetes Elderly Team Sub-committee
Member of the Governor's Commission on Aging since 1994, Lt. Governor's Long Term Coordinating Council 2000, American Heart Association Stroke & Education Sub-Committees since 1996 , Department of Elderly Affairs Living RITE Committee since 1995, Department of Human Services Consumer Advisory Board since 1997, LifeSpan Community Health Advisory Committee 2002, LifeSpan Volunteered Health Advocates Committee since 1993, Minority Task Force 1995, DEA Minority Elderly Coalition 2002
PAST PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Consultant RIDOH Diabetes Control Program (93 to 98)
Social Worker---Westminster Senior Center (91 to 98)
Assistance Coordinator- Providence Community Action Program Home Heating Assistance Program(79 to 89)
Director ------- Puerto Rican Civic & Cultural Association (75 to 78)
Phone Operator/dispatcher--Providence Police Department (75 to 75)
Regional Coordinator -- New England Spanish American Regional Institute (NESARI)(71 to 73)
Job Developer-Providence African American Entrepeneur Development Center (PAED) (71 to 71)
Social Worker--Catholic Inner City (70 to 71)
Develop DIRES (Diabetes Information, Referral and Education Specialist) Curriculum & Medical Resource manual.
Fund raising, grant-writing, budget preparation & administration, develop & write reports, supervision of employees and several volunteers.
Program development and Need assessment
Established satellite agencies in 4 New England states (Region I), New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Provide technical support, recruit and interviewed employees
Served as a liaison between community agencies, state, federal and municipal government.