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Hey there, Sharon!

Welcome to RIPIN's Self-Directed Support Program's August newsletter!

The goal of the Self-Directed Support Program (SDSP) at RIPIN is to guide families and individuals in navigating the systems and supports available to them when they choose self-direction. Sharing information in this newsletter is one of the many ways we do this.

Our August theme is Traffic Safety Month. This topic is important to our community, and everyone can use some reminders on how to stay safe as a pedestrian, biker, passenger, or driver in a car. We will be sharing further resources on this topic in our resource section.

In this month's newsletter, you can:

• Save the date for our first-ever Self-Direction Conference!
• Revisit some of our webinars from the past year.
• Register for our August 13th webinar on Employment Supports
• Meet us in your community as we take our program "On the Rhode!"
• See our Fall Calendar
• Download "Link with Your Community", RIPIN's online resource guide for activities and community connections
• Practice important traffic safety skills with our featured resources
• Meet support navigator, Jane Demelo!
• Find out what our partners are up to this August

RIPIN will be hosting our first Self-Direction conference in November of 2024! Stay tuned for more information and the registration link!

Space will be limited. Priority registration will begin with Individuals who self-direct, their families, and direct support professionals. 

We have been building up a library of our previously recorded webinars on our webpage.

Check out the many topics and resources we have covered and shared with the community since last year, such as the one above where we partnered with benefits counselors from the Sherlock Center as they presented about benefits planning and work incentives. We look forward to adding more as we continue to present new webinars regularly.

On August 13th, RIPIN will host a virtual webinar on Employment Services for Individuals who self-direct. We will hear from Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH), the Office of Rehabilitation Services, the RI Developmental Disabilities Council, and AccessPoint RI. Join us to learn how individuals who Self-Direct can access employment services and what resources are available to them. 

We want to hear from you! Join us as our team takes the program "On the Rhode!” Meet us in your local community at a series of events where you are invited to share your feedback with us!

Thanks to those who attended our "On the Rhode" events in Warwick and Peace Dale this past July. Our team wore their t-shirts commemorating the tour. We can't wait to meet you in Barrington and South Providence this month!

Check out what we have planned this fall! Registration information will be coming soon.

A community activity guide and online resource.

The guide is a tool to help you find meaningful activities in your community based on your interests and/or geographic location. It includes tips on exploring and learning more about your town or city, making new friends, and encourages you to try new things!

It even includes a page on transportation that shares further resources such as some of the links shared here in this newsletter.

Need help downloading or want to share what you think? Send an email to linkwithus@ripin.org.

More Popular Summer Resources:

• Did you know you can get a free disability parking pass for RI state parks, beaches, and campgrounds? Get more information here.
• Find more information about accessibility at RI State Park and beach locations here.

Jane (Second from left) with her family, and a sheep! at Farm Sanctuary in California!

What brought you to RIPIN and the Self-Directed Support Team? 

As a special educator, I have referred many parents to RIPIN. I loved the work RIPIN has done over the years and it seemed the next best step after leaving teaching. 

What is your role within the SDSP team and what duties do you have?

I am a Support Navigator. I have the pleasure of calling people and families who are using the Self-Direction Model for their services to update their information for BHDDH. 

What has been your favorite moment so far within our program?

I would have to say our two in-person events. It has been amazing to meet people that I have spoken with on the calls. 

Do you have pets? Tell us about them.

I have an Umbrella Cockatoo named Colby, who is a rescue. He is more work than raising my three adult children! We have an elderly tuxedo cat, who is also a rescue, named Scotty. 

Each month we share updates, information, and upcoming events from our partners below:

Founded in 1991, RIPIN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps thousands of Rhode Islanders each year with health care, special education, and healthy aging. RIPIN uses a model of peer professional support—more than three-fourths of RIPIN’s staff are caregivers of a loved one with special health care or special education needs. For more information about RIPIN and its mission, please visit the organization's website at www.ripin.org.