PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) certified 22 new sites as LGBTQ+ Safe Zones Monday. These new additions bring the total number of certified safe zones to 133. Over half of the new sites provide youth behavioral health and maternal health services, and sites affiliated with Care New England Health offer behavioral health, reconstructive surgery, and oncology services. Among the new sites is the first Safe Zone facility to provide doula services, where pregnant families can access support and guidance before, during, and after childbirth, according to BCBSRI. The healthcare facilities that obtain Safe Zone designation may displace a special logo on their premises. According to BCBSRI, the Safe Zone criteria includes staff training specific to the care of LGBTQ patients, protection for patients and staff from discrimination, gender neutral bathrooms, inclusive form procedures, and a public commitment to connecting with and serving the LGBTQ+ 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) To learn more, you can visit the BCBSRI Safe Zone website.  Categories: Rhode Island, Your Health