2024 Scorecard
Health equity is everyone's responsibility at Neighborhood, and we remain laser-focused on creating Equity4All.
Neighborhood is so excited to introduce its commitment to creating equity within the organization and in the communities we serve. We have consciously created guiding equity principles and commitments that influence and drive our daily work. These Neighborhood4Equity principles are intended to create an inclusive environment for our employees and equitable access to quality and cost-effective health care for everyone that calls Rhode Island home. Our four commitments illustrate how Neighborhood puts its principles into action.
While our 4Report outlines our Equity4People|People4Equity vision and strategies, this companion document, 4Report Scorecard, establishes incremental metrics to track progress on individual projects. It’s our hope that this scorecard will capture results of our endeavors for each of the Neighborhood4Equity Principles and associated commitments.
Neighborhood4Equity Principles
Within our organization: Equity4People
We will empower our workforce and sustain our purpose-driven culture. Our goal is to ensure our workplace is always welcoming, there is a sense of shared purpose, and equal opportunity prevails for all.
Within our community: People4Equity
We will collaborate with our Community Health Center founders and network of medical, behavioral health, social service, and public health professionals and policymakers to eliminate barriers to quality care and advocate for improved health outcomes for all.
Our Commitments
- Build a stronger workforce by broadening our diverse and inclusive environment.
- Ensure everyone has a seat and a voice at the table.
- Use data to advocate for equity and achieve measurable impact.
- Accelerate health equity by supporting and working in underserved communities.
We are proud to share with you our achievements and what we are aiming to measure for the next three years. We also invite you to follow our ever-evolving journey at www.nhpri.org.
Within the Workforce:Equity 
People
People
We will empower our workforce and sustain our purpose-driven culture. Our goal is to ensure our workplace is always welcoming, there is a sense of shared purpose, and equal opportunity prevails for all.
Commitment 1: Build a stronger workforce by broadening our diverse and inclusive environment.
2024 Accomplishments
Established and implemented a Neighborhood’s Supplier Diversity program.
To expand and diversify its vendor base, Neighborhood laid the foundation for a new Supplier Diversity program launching in late 2025.
Created a cross-training pilot program to serve as a model for the organization.
Developed and launched a pilot cross training program with two staff positions, both located in the Human Resources Department to create sustainable operations, grow skills, increase talent bench strength, and support succession planning.
Created a culture of learning to encourage personal development
Overall, learning hours increased by 5% from the 2023 baseline. The organization’s Learning & Development Department captured 83% more learning hours in 2024 compared to 2023. The baseline in 2023 was 19,093 hours compared to 34,979 in 2024.
Areas of Focus for Next Three Years
2025
Employee Experience
- Formally expand and launch the cross-training program noted in 2024 to include all six of the organizational divisions.
- Increase learning hours by 5% from the baseline identified in the year of 2024.
- Grow employee participation as it relates to Neighborhood’s tuition reimbursement program by 20% compared to that of 2024.
2026
Workforce Diversity
- Assess cross training program and alter the program based on one-year results.
- Increase learning hours by five percent from the 2025 benchmark.
- Grow employee participation in the tuition reimbursement program by 10% from the baseline established in 2025.
2027
Workforce Diversity
- Neighborhood strives to establish strong partnerships in the community. Building the skills of students by introducing them to the field of health care builds skills to industry careers and attracts needed talent to the organization. Neighborhood has committed to establishing strategic partnerships with at least one local university, college or community organization to provide structured internship opportunities at Neighborhood for students of underrepresented backgrounds.
- Lauch a skills development program for hourly employees that focuses on areas of development that are tied to promotional opportunities. This endeavor will target at least five participants.
Commitment 2: Ensure everyone has a seat and a voice at the table.
2024 Accomplishments
Maintained the baseline of Neighborhood’s 72% inclusivity score based on the Employee Engagement Survey.
Neighborhood increased its inclusivity score from 72% to 75% from 2023-2024.
Performed policy audit to ensure inclusive language for all organizational policies and procedures.
In 2024, stakeholders participated in the multi-year (2024–2025) policy and procedure project. Completed by three of six divisions within the organization, advancing efforts to ensure all policies are inclusive and equitable for members, employees, and providers.
Areas of Focus for Next Three Years
2025
Employee Equity
- Identify and implement educational offerings in two or more languages through asynchronous learning tools, enabling employees to learn on their own schedule within a certain timeframe.
2026
Employee Inclusivity
- Monitor diversity at the director level and above with organizational parity as the goal.
2027
Employee Inclusivity
- Employee Resource Group (ERG) engagement: Sustain 25% participation of employees actively participating in Employee Resource Groups through 2027.
- Inclusivity score: Boost the Employee Engagement Survey inclusivity score from 72% (2022) to 77% by 2027.
- Policy & Procedures audit: Complete the review of all Neighborhood’s divisional policy and procedures to ensure they are inclusive and equitable for our members, employees, and providers. Ensure these materials are reviewed and updated annually to maintain inclusive and equitable policies and procedures.
Within our Community:People Equity
Equity
We will collaborate with our Community Health Center founders and network of medical, behavioral health, social service, and public health professionals and policymakers to eliminate barriers to quality care and advocate for improved health outcomes for all.
Commitment 3: Use data to advocate for equity and achieve measurable impact.
2024 Accomplishments
Presented project proposals to address health disparities in the areas of maternal health, childhood obesity, and behavioral health with specific measurable goals and objectives to help address sustainable change in three focus areas.
Neighborhood’s Health Equity initiatives identified by national and state trends, detailed analysis of HEDIS measures, and claims data and aims to address and reduce health disparities that disproportionately affect marginalized and underserved communities. Neighborhood through the important work of its Health Equity committee focused on the root causes and social drivers, so that every individual has a fair opportunity to achieve the highest level of health.
Maternal Health Outreach & Feedback
In the area of Maternal Health, many outreach initiatives occurred, including focus groups with maternal health providers, birth workers, and members; the launch of a postpartum member survey; posting enhanced benefit information on Neighborhood’s Women’s Health Resource page.
Maternal Health Coding for Glucose
Developed smart logic coding for glucose test strips to ensure prenatal and postpartum members with gestational diabetes were able to obtain the additional test strips needed. When a member has a prescription with a diagnosis of gestational diabetes (new CVS smart logic), they can get the amount of test strips needed to continually manage their gestational diabetes.
Maternal Health Blood Pressure Cuff Program
Neighborhood continued to support Hypertension Blood Pressure cuff program at Women and Infant’s Hospital, providing members seen at a high-volume site in Providence, Rhode Island with home blood pressure cuffs to monitor blood pressure throughout pregnancy and post-partum period.
Childhood Health Education
Provided education on the importance of well visits, vaccinations, and healthy activities in at-risk communities through the annual Back to School Celebration backpack distribution event. Sponsored development of Tennis Courts in Core City (Central Falls) with large BIPOC/Hispanic population.
Childhood Health - Bike Helmet Give Away
In collaboration with Neighborhood’s Strategic Marketing team, the organization coordinated a bike helmet giveaway in partnership with Providence Community Health Centers. The program was designed to increase the amount of time children spend on bikes and scooters and decrease risk of head injury.
Behavioral Health: Important Document Reminders
Developed and distributed appointment reminder cards in English, Spanish, and Portuguese to educate members about the importance of following up with the provider after a new prescription. The document included information on the effects of ADHD medication and important questions to ask a child’s provider. These can be found on Neighborhood’s website and were distributed to providers with the largest populations of Spanish and Portuguese speaking members.
Areas of Focus for Next Three Years
2025
Health Equity Accreditation
- Begin year two of NCQA Health Equity Accreditation work by developing and procuring documentation.
2026
Health Equity Committee
- Begin to execute approved and resourced proposal focused on maternal health, childhood obesity, and behavioral health.
- At the end of 2026, Neighborhood will decrease disparities in behavioral health quality measures by at least 5%.
- Neighborhood will decrease disparities in maternal health quality by 50% in the key areas of access to pre-natal and post-partum care, preterm births, and low birth weight by the end of 2026.
Health Equity Accreditation
- Successfully achieve NCQA Health Equity Accreditation.
2027
Health Equity Accreditation
- NCQA Health-Equity Accreditation: Conduct ongoing preparation for renewal survey in 2028.
Supplier Diversity Audit Process
- Develop and implement a supplier diversity audit process that identifies gaps, tracks progress and informs equitable procurement practices. By leveraging supplier demographic data and spend analytics, Neighborhood will be better able to understand, identify, and engage with underrepresented suppliers. The establishment of baseline metrics will help to inform year-over-year improvements in procuring diverse supplier participation.
Commitment 4: Accelerate health equity by supporting and working in underserved communities.
2024 Accomplishments
Continued to create synergies with community partners to break down barriers
Limited access to healthy foods and safe recreational spaces can contribute to higher obesity rates among children. Neighborhood supported the creation of tennis courts, distributed bike helmets and shared educational materials to help community members access healthy food resources.
Expanded Access to Behavioral Health Resources
Access to mental health services, community support, and safe environments are crucial for maintaining good behavioral health. Neighborhood partnered with Rhode Island’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) to provide expanded behavioral health services, including crisis support, mental health counseling, and substance use treatment to improve health outcomes.
Developed a program designation for community partners, members and vendors
The Maternal Health Equity Workgroup developed a designation program for OB/GYN offices and hospitals to improve patient experience and recognize providers and organizations committed to advancing health equity. Built on data analysis and stakeholder feedback, the program certifies efforts to reduce disparities. Neighborhood continues to look for other community partners to pilot the initiative and promote maternal health equity across Rhode Island.
Areas of Focus for Next Three Years
2025
Community Partnerships
- Audit organizational investments in the community (time, talent, and finances) and ensure that each aligns with Neighborhoods’ health equity objectives to ensure value and drive results.
- Recognize the first group of health equity partners program.
2026
Community Partnerships
- Recognize second group of health equity community partners.
- Present status report to Neighborhood Board of Directors about the progress of health equity programs.
2027
Community Partnerships
- Drive Access to Care: Connect ≥5% underserved members with gaps in care to a primary care physician by the end of 2027.
- Decrease inpatient readmissions for underserved/vulnerable populations by 3% by 2027.
