RIPIN celebrates new offices with ribbon-cutting ceremony
The Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN) celebrated the opening of their new offices at 300 Jefferson Boulevard with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by US Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, US Congressman David Cicilline, City of Warwick Mayor Joseph Solomon, State Senator Joshua Miller and several state agency leaders.
The ribbon-cutting followed a speaking program where the keynote speaker was Robin Ramos, a Warwick resident and mother of two children with autism. She first called RIPIN for help with her children’s special needs and has more recently relied on RIPIN for support after being diagnosed with ALS.
“The resources [RIPIN has] are absolutely remarkable,” said Ramos, “from help navigating the insurance industry, to help with education, nutrition, transitioning a child into adulthood, and helping people with disabilities be successful in this community.”
RIPIN is a statewide nonprofit founded in 1991 by a group of parents of children with special needs. RIPIN now serves all Rhode Islanders who might benefit from education, advocacy, and peer-to-peer support in navigating healthcare and education systems.
Although RIPIN has grown, the ‘peer support’ model remains at the heart of the organization: over 3/4 of RIPIN staff and the majority of the board are parents or caretakers of a loved one with special health or education needs.
RIPIN is the federally-designated Parent Training Information Center (PTIC) for special education for the state of Rhode Island. The organization also supports Early Intervention services for very young (age 0-3) children with special needs, connects adults with free and low-cost health and wellness classes in their communities, and provides care management services for Medicare/Medicaid enrollees.
RIPIN is also Rhode Island’s official consumer assistance help center for health insurance. Any Rhode Islander, no matter what type of health care coverage they have, can call RIPIN at 401-270-0101 for help understanding and navigating their health insurance. The consumer assistance call center helped Rhode Islanders save or recover $2.25 million in health care costs in 2018.
Officials attending the ribbon-cutting praised RIPIN’s work.
“You are the ones who are leading us, giving us the information, and giving us the inspiration to move forward,” said Senator Reed.
“RIPIN does such a good job making sure families get the support they need in the greatest possible way: from peers who had to walk the walk themselves,” said Senator Whitehouse.
“We stand ready to do all that we can to help support the critical work RIPIN is doing to help Rhode Island families,” said Congressman Cicilline.
“RIPIN is clearly a guiding light for people who need guidance in an area they’ve never encountered before in their life,” said Mayor Solomon.
Rhode Islanders needing help with healthcare, health insurance, or special education can call RIPIN at 401-270-0101, or visit www.RIPIN.org for free assistance.