Mental health, food insecurity and transportation are three of the top Warwick community concerns surveys have shown according to Michael Fratus, initiative director of the Warwick Health Equity Zone (HEZ).

“What is a 10-minute drive takes two and a half hours,” Fratus said outing the routes required to get across Warwick.

Fratus is looking to have conversations with the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) on ways improve access to public transportation in the city as well as streamline the service. Ideally, he would like to see a bus hub in the city where people could connect to cross city service without having to travel to Providence. Warwick HEZ is also researching grant opportunities to fund a 10-passenger van to assist with the transportation needs of elderly residents.

“I never want to grow too big too fast,” he said explaining after doing additional research on possible bus routes, he plans to reach out to Scott Avedisian, RIPTA president and CEO. 

Fratus recently addressed the Warwick Rotary Club, opening with a description of the Health Equity Zone, which few members of the club had heard of. Warwick became one of 15 HEZs in the state in July of 2021. The Warwick Zone is run by the Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) with offices in Buttonwoods.

Federally funded through the Department of Health, the Warwick HEZ operates on a $150,000 budget and is funded for five years.

Fratus is no stranger to Warwick. He grew up here, attending Lippitt Elementary, Gorton Junior High and Vets before earning a degree in social work from Rhode Island College. He lives in Warwick, as fate would have it, around the corner from Lippitt School. He has worked at CCAP for the past five years.

He is also active in the community, coaching high school and Legion baseball. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and JONAH, Join Our Neighborhood and Help.

As described on its website, the HEZ is a community-driven program comprised of residents and social service agencies “that aim to identify and address health disparities in Warwick to foster a healthy environment where people live, learn, work and play.” Fratus said representatives from the 15HEZs meet regularly to share ideas.

“The residents of the community are our bosses,” Fratus said. To that end he said the HEZ has conducted surveys in the community to identify needs and seek to address them through community events, programs and advocacy “to create a more equitable Warwick.”

Warwick HEZ member agencies include the Warwick Public Library, Thrive Behavioral Health, Anchor Recovery, Elizabeth Buffam Chase Center, Westbay Community Action, Boys and Girls Clubs of Warwick, Warwick Public Schools, RI Office of Veterans Services, South Point Christian Church and the Kent County Prevention Coalition.

Fratus said some of his data gathering is informal whereas as others are written surveys asking people to identify community issues and rank them by importance. He has talked with neighborhood associations, generally finding consensus on mental health, food insecurity and transportation as major concerns.  Housing and substance abuse were also high on the list, he said.

“I’m a big believer in collaboration,” Fratus said, describing how through the zone people are matched with services they need. As an example, he cited how a number of young mothers voiced concerns over their preschool child’s behavior. In response, Fratus was able to arrange for a consultant, Amy Griffin, to conduct the Incredible Years Program weekly in collaboration with CHILD Inc., Warwick Schools and the Warwick Boys and Girls Clubs at the library. There was such an overwhelming response to the program that there are now two Saturday morning sessions with more than 12 parents in each session. The sessions are conducted over 14 weeks.

Warwick HEZ’s recent activities include a Christmas toy drive with the library; coat drive with the K of C and participation in the Norwood Neighborhood Association Christmas parade.

As youth mental health was identified as a leading community concern, Fratus is working with HEZ member agencies to identify programs to help. He said the problem manifests itself in the depression, anxiety and struggles with school.

“There’s been an up tick in youth mental health,” he said, “identifying who they are.”

“We try to be everywhere,” he said adding, “People dictate what we do and how we do it …. It’s all about where the residents want to take it to,” he said.

For those seeking additional information or looking to be involved, more information is available at WarwickHEX.org ; Warwick HEZ on Facebook; by calling Fratus at 439-3805; emailing him at mfratus@comcap.org or stopping at his office at 218 Buttonwoods Ave.