Self-Directed Support
The RIPIN Self-Directed Support Program (SDSP) provides resources and support for eligible consumers with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, their families, and trusted allies utilizing the self-directed model for lifelong services through Rhode Island’s Division of Developmental Disabilities.
RIPIN’s SDSP will provide training, education, and resources to help consumers navigate the self-directed system and make informed decisions about their services. The program will also work to build infrastructure and support to make the self-directed system more transparent and consistent while continuing to foster the philosophy of self-determination inherent to the model.
2026 Programming Calendar
Registration:
April 28th (On Zoom): Self-Direction Connection
May 26th (On Zoom): Four Seasons of Fun!
June 11th (In-Person): DSP Appreciation Night
The 2026 Self-Directed Support Conference
On March 20th, 2026, RIPIN, in partnership with the Division of Developmental Disabilities at Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH), hosted its 2nd annual statewide Self-Directed Support Conference. Family members, staff, and individuals who self-direct attended two breakout sessions featuring a mix of panelists with professional and lived experience on topics important to the self-directed community.
These sessions included topics and information from BHDDH’s Division of Developmental Disabilities, employment, staffing, blending services, and, of course, connecting with your community through your relationships, maps, and having fun! During lunch, attendees heard from peer support specialists who will be part of a new program launching soon. Exhibitors from advocacy organizations, fiscal intermediaries, support brokers, state agencies, and health insurance companies were present to provide information, network, and engage with their consumers.
The day was filled with positive energy and excitement from all of those present. Friendships were formed, and old friends reconnected. Ideas were exchanged, and collaborations began.
RIPIN is grateful for the strong turnout at this event. It’s days like these that inspire us and show us the impact our self-directed program has. Your input, needs, ideas, and stories will inform our future programming and conferences, and we can’t wait to see you and move forward with more programming and events.
Check Out Our Monthly Newsletter – The Navigator!
Meet us in your inbox monthly as we share engaging information, resources, and events about our program and self-direction in Rhode Island.
This newsletter began in May 2024 in English. In September, a Spanish version was also created.
En Septiembre de 2024 se puso en marcha una edición en Español.
Read Previous Issues
To view an issue from the past, click on the month you want to see.
English
Self-Direction Resources
Explore our newest resource: The Self-Directed Toolkit
This is a practical guide designed to inspire you to get started or gain additional ideas and solutions for self-directing your services.
It contains:
🗓️Printable and downloadable scheduling templates
👋Resources for community activities and social opportunities
📄Inventive ideas for documentation and important reporting information
✔️Tips and samples of job postings and other staffing and recruiting ideas
➕And so much more!
Our Webinar Library
The RIPIN Self-Directed Support Team produces monthly live webinars on topics to help you understand and enrich your experience with self-direction.
They cover important areas such as employment, natural supports, preparing for a Support Intensity Scale (SIS) meeting, and writing and Individualized Service Plan (ISP). They also feature interviews with guests from Rhode Island’s Fiscal Intermediaries, Support Brokers, our partners from Advocates in Action and The Paul V. Sherlock Center On Disabilities, and the participants in Self-Direction themselves!
To view the growing list of these informative presentations, please click the button below to be taken to our library of recordings from these sessions.
Check out RIPIN’s Link With Your Community Guide!
This guide can be a tool for finding meaningful and fun activities in your community and beyond. It’s a great way to connect with new people and find natural supports, too!
Link With Your Community Guide
News
Articles
Two articles were published about our program and the success of our first-ever Self-Directed Support Conference in Impact, a publication from the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota.
The first article highlights an overview of the conference and how the feedback received from the day is shaping the future of self-direction. Read HERE.
The second article shares a reflection from one of the consumers who participated in the conference and his experiences with self-direction. Read HERE.
Presentation with Applied Self-Direction
Our team presented our signature workshop, “Natural Supports: Who’s in Your Circle?” on March 12, 2025, at the Applied Self-Direction Virtual Conference. View HERE. To learn more about Applied Self-Direction, visit their website HERE.
Podcast Episode
The “Disability News You Can Use” Podcast interviewed RIPIN’s Sue Donovan, Senior Program Director, and Sharon Kochan, Program Manager, about RIPIN’s Self-Directed Support Program. Listen HERE [AUDIO]
Community Resources
Advocates in Action RI is Rhode Island’s premiere statewide Self-Advocacy organization. As an independent, 501(c)3 organization, our mission is to empower people who have a developmental disability to advocate for themselves and others, to support and strengthen the Self‐Advocacy movement and raise awareness about disability issues in the community. We strive to help people become educated about their options, aware of available resources, able to make informed decisions, in control of their own lives, and involved within the community.
If you or a family member in Rhode Island uses self-directed supports or services and want to access helpful information, get updates, and connect with others, consider joining the Self-Directed Supports Network, coordinated by the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities.
This network includes resources for individuals, families, and professionals who support those using self-directed services. They host monthly meetings on important topics on a Wednesday from 7-8:30 pm on Zoom. The meetings are recorded and available to watch at any time on the website.
Families and individuals can now join an online community to connect and share information with others using self-direction in a safe place. Please see this webinar (video) to learn more about how to join and participate.
For more information, visit www.sdsri.net. If you have questions, please get in touch with Crystal Cerullo at [email protected].
To learn more, click here to watch this video recording of our webinar “Partner Showcase” to learn more about the resources they offer for those who self-direct.