Did you know about Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN)?

1210 Pontiac Avenue

Cranston, R.I. 02920
(401) 270-0101/ 800-464-3399
http://www.ripin.org/index.html
This non-profit organization provides information and support to parents to empower parents to effectively
advocate for their child. They offer a variety of workshops for parents such as The Successful I.E.P.,
Ready for Kindergarten and other informative workshops. In addition, they provide support and training to
help families with children with disabilities advocate for themselves.
Autism Society of Rhode Island
Jennifer Hanley, Deputy President
(401) 738-8922

Autism Project of RI
Joanne Quinn, Executive Director
(401) 785-2666
www.theautismproject.org

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit

Disorder
Jeanne Connery
(401) 943-9399
www.chadd.org

Down Syndrome Society of RI

Claudia Lowe, Coordinator
(401) 463-5751
www.dssri.org

Dual Sensory Impairment Project of the

University Affiliated Program
Susan Dell, Project Coordinator
(401) 456-8557
www.sherlockcenter.org

Families for Early Autism Treatment of RI

(401) 886-5015
www.featri.org

National Alliance of the Mentally Ill of Rhode

Island
Nicki Sahlin, Executive Director
(401) 331-3060
ri.nami.org

RI Association of the Deaf (RIAD)

Maria Okwara, President
TDD: (401) 431-0465
Relay: (800) 745-6575
members.aol.com/earnesto/riad.html

RI Developmental Disabilities Council

Marie Citrone, Executive Director
(401) 737-1238
www.riddc.org
RI Parents of Blind and Visually Impaired
Children
Elizabeth Frampton, President
(401) 658-0516
www.ripbvic.com

RI Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Sheryl C. Amaral, President
(401) 455-7472
www.risha.info/

Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Linda Hughes
(401) 222-2300 ext. 423
www.ors.state.ri.us/sbvi.htm

United Cerebral Palsy of RI

Lowell Roberts, Executive Director
(401) 728-1800
www.ucpri.org

The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth

and Families
Division of Childrens Behavioral Health
Janet Anderson, Assistant Director
(401) 528-3756

The Rhode Island Department of Health

Division of Family Health
William Hollinshead, MD, Medical Director
(401) 222-4655

The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and

Secondary Education
Thomas DiPaola, Director of Special Education
(401) 222-4600, ext. 2301

The Rhode Island Department of Human

Services
Sandra Powell, Director
(401) 462-5300
http://www.dhs.ri.gov/default.aspx
Family Voices of Rhode Island
Part of national network supporting families of children
with special needs.
See online Family Voices Resource Guide.
(401) 727-4144 or (800) 464-3399
www.ripin.org/fvri.html and www.familyvoices.org

Parent Support Network (PSN)

Family support/advocacy for families of children with
behavioral/
emotional challenges.
(401) 467-6855 or (800) 483-8844
www.psnri.org

Rhode Island Disability Law Center

Free legal assistance for persons with disabilities.
(401) 831-3150 or (800) 733-5332

Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities at Rhode

Island College (RIC)
Training, technical assistance, outreach and
research to promote full
community membership for individuals with
disabilities.
(401) 456-8072 or (401) 456-8773 (TTY)
www.sherlockcenter.org
CEDARR Family Centers
Evaluation, case management, referral for children
with special needs.
About Families: (401) 365-6855 Family Solutions:
(401) 461-4351
Families First: (401) 444-7703 Easter Seals: (401)
284-1000
CEDARR Family Center Resource Guide:
www.dhs.state.ri.us

The Rhode Island Technical Assistance Project

(RIDE and RIC)
Technical assistance and professional development
to promote
improved educational services to all children
including those with
disabilities.
Judith Saccardo, Director
(401) 456-4600
www.ritap.org
Office of the Child Advocate
Protects the civil, legal and special rights of children
in DCYF care.
(401) 222-6650
www.child-advocate.state.ri.us/

KIDS CONNECT is a program that provides specialized services at licensed childcare centers that can help
children with special needs participate, play and learn, along with their typically-developing peers. Licensed
childcare centers and after-school care programs contract with the State to provide this service.
Eligibility-A child must meet the following requirements to be eligible for Kids Connect. He or she must be

eligible for Medical Assistance

6 weeks to 16 years old
a Rhode Island resident
live at home, and
have a chronic condition- cognitive, physical, developmental and/or psychiatric- that is
moderate to severe

There is no cost to families. Children must be eligible for Medicaid.

How to Apply
Please contact a CEDARR Family Center.
Home Based Therapeutic Services (HBTS) are specialized, intensive services and treatment that are
provided according to an approved individualized treatment plan. Services are provided in the childs home
or other age-appropriate community setting. Ongoing parent participation is required to maximize what is
learned during treatment. HBTS services are offered to enable a child to participate in his or her family and
community more by helping to improve communication, behavioral, psychosocial and developmental skills.

Eligibility
A child must meet the following requirements to be eligible for Home Based Therapeutic Services. He or
she must be

eligible for Medical Assistance

under age 21
a Rhode Island resident
live at home, and
Have a disabling or chronic condition (cognitive, physical, developmental and/or psychiatric)
that is moderate to severe.

There is no cost to families. Children must be eligible for Medicaid.

How To Apply
Please contact a CEDARR Family Center.
Personal Assistance Services and Supports (PASS) can help families of children with special health
care needs with daily life skills. PASS can help improve a childs ability to accomplish activities of daily life,
improve safety skills, and participate in social situations. Services are provided in the home or community
setting by a direct support worker. Families have a choice in who is hired to work with their child and how
services are delivered. Parents/ guardians can find their own direct support worker with assistance from a
certified PASS agency or can use a free online resource www.rewardingwork.org Families are responsible
for the training and supervision of their direct support worker.
Eligibility

eligible for Medical Assistance

under age 21
a Rhode Island resident
live at home, and
Have a chronic condition- cognitive, physical, developmental and/or psychiatric- that is
moderate to severe.

Cost
There is no cost to families. Children must be eligible for Medicaid.
How to Apply- Please contact a CEDARR Family Center.
The Department of Human Services' Rhode Island Works Program offers temporary cash assistance,
health coverage, child care assistance, and help finding job training or a job. This program is available for
pregnant women and adults with children under age 18 (or under age 19 if child is a full-time student).
Services are available statewide. The Rhode Island Works used to be called the Family Independence
Program (FIP).

How it Works
The RI Works Program encourages adult family members to work by offering the following benefits and
support services:

Cash Assistance is provided on a temporary basis to needy families that meet certain
guidelines.
Health Care is provided through the Rite Care Program. Families can choose a participating
Rite Care health plan. See Rite Care for more information.
Child Care Assistance is provided if needed.
Assistance with Finding Work or Job Training is also available.
Food Assistance is available through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(formerly called Food Stamps).
Transportation reimbursement or bus passes are available to support preparation for
employment.

Eligibility
Eligibility for the RI Works program is based on a family's income and resources. For more information,
please make an appointment to see a DHS worker at a local DHS Office.
How to Apply
To apply, contact your local DHS Office. You will need to complete an application and provide proof of
identity, income, assets/resources and expenses.
For More Information

DHS Info Line (401) 462-5300

Family Drop in Center- If parents are feeling stress because their child is throwing temper
tantrums, their home is out of control, their children misbehave, or they feel alone they can help.
If parents need classes to obtain a Graduate Equivalent Degree (GED) or English as a Second

Language (ESL) classes, they can help.

The Childrens Friend Family Support Centers in Providence and Central Falls work with
families to find the services they need. Legal help, housing assistance, furniture, health care, job
training and education for parents and children are some of the things you can find at drop in
centers.
They even provide families with clothing and help them find food if that is what they need. If a
family needs a service they cant provide, they can link them to another agency that can help.
They can also help families connect with other families and enjoy group activities.
Providence Family Support Center
153 Summer Street in Providence
401-276-4300
Central Falls Family Support Center
621 Dexter Street in Central Falls
401-721-9200