PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Oct. 7, 2024) — Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) has designated an additional 22 healthcare sites as Safe Zones, certifying that they have demonstrated care designed to meet the specific needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

The additions bring the total number of BCBSRI-certified Safe Zones to 133. More than half of the new sites provide youth behavioral health and maternal health services, furthering BCBSRI efforts to address social determinants of health and advance health equity in Rhode Island. Among the new sites is the first Safe Zone facility providing doula services, where pregnant families can access support and guidance before, during, and after childbirth.

Also new are numerous sites affiliated with Care New England Health system (ranging from behavioral health to reconstructive surgery to oncology services) and all locations of Family Service of Rhode Island, a nonprofit agency providing mental health, job and crisis support to families in need.

“We’re thrilled to expand Safe Zones to even more maternal health and behavioral health sites in Rhode Island, enhancing our efforts to improve maternal health outcomes and respond to the growing mental health needs of our youth," said Carolyn Belisle, vice president of corporate social responsibility at BCBSR. “We applaud all our new and continuing Safe Zones for being responsive to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, which is essential to quality and equitable healthcare for this historically underserved community."

The following are the newest Safe Zones:

• Family Service of Rhode Island (7 sites)
• Illuminate Life Counseling
• Thrive Behavioral Health
• Diversity Counseling, LLC
• The Miriam Hospital Medical Clinic
• Informed Pregnancy and Birth Collective, LLC
• Jewish Collaborative Services Counseling Center (JCS)
• Care New England Medical Group: Women's Care OBGYN (4 sites)
• Care New England Medical Group: Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery
• Women & Infants Gynecology Specialties 
• Women & Infants Center for Behavioral Health and Day Hospital
• Women & Infants Hospital, Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
• Hematology Oncology and Infusion Center (Kent Hospital)

Healthcare facilities that obtain Safe Zone designation may display a special logo on their premises to demonstrate they have met program criteria. Certification requirements include staff training specific to the care of LGBTQ patients, protection for patients and staff from discrimination based on gender identity or expression, gender neutral bathrooms, inclusive forms and procedures, and a public commitment to connecting with and serving the LGBTQ+ community. 

The Safe Zones program was established in 2016. BCBSRI solicits applications and designates new LGBTQ+ Safe Zones twice a year. Each must recertify annually to ensure they continue to meet program criteria. 

To learn more about the program, or if you are a provider or care facility looking to become certified, visit BCBSRI’s Safe Zone website.