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H8551
2026 -- H 8551
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LC006371
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CONGRATULATING RIPIN ON 35 YEARS OF IMPROVING RHODE ISLANDERS' LIVES
Introduced By:
Representatives Spears, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Potter,
Ajello, Fellela, Bennett, Santucci, and Diaz
Date Introduced:
May 14, 2026
Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, RIPIN is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization that helps Rhode
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Islanders navigate health care, special education, and healthy aging in order that they can achieve
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their health, education, and socio‑economic well‑being goals; and
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WHEREAS, RIPIN was founded in 1991 by a passionate group of parents of children
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with special needs who came together to share information, find resources, and support one
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another, creating a peer‑to‑peer model that remains at the heart of the organization’s work today;
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and
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WHEREAS, Over the past 35 years, RIPIN has grown into a statewide network of more
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than 100 peer professionals, most of whom have personal experience caring for a loved one with
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special healthcare or educational needs, allowing them to provide uniquely empathetic, practical
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support to families; and
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WHEREAS, A majority of the members of RIPIN’s board of directors are always parents
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of children with special needs from birth to age 26; and
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WHEREAS, RIPIN empowers Rhode Islanders of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds by
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offering one‑on‑one assistance, workshops, and learning opportunities that build the skills,
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knowledge, and confidence needed to navigate complex systems of care; and
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WHEREAS, RIPIN’s health insurance call center has saved Rhode Islanders more than
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$10 million since 2018 by resolving coverage problems and preventing avoidable costs; and
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WHEREAS, RIPIN plays a critical role in supporting parents and caregivers in special
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education, helping families understand their rights, advocate for their children, and collaborate
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effectively with schools in order that students with disabilities can learn, grow, and thrive; and
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WHEREAS, RIPIN is Rhode Island’s federally designated Parent Training and
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Information Center (PTIC) and Family-to-Family (F2F) Health Information Center, making
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RIPIN a go-to resource for families raising children with special needs; and
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WHEREAS, RIPIN also advances healthy aging by helping older adults stay healthy,
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active, and independent in their homes, ensuring they get the care they need when and where they
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need it; and
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WHEREAS, Since 2017, RIPIN has recorded hundreds of thousands of interactions with
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Rhode Islanders every year, including more than 115,000 client encounters in 2025, reflecting the
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organization’s deep and growing impact across the state’s healthcare, education, aging, and
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disability systems; and
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WHEREAS, In its 35th anniversary year, RIPIN is celebrating countless stories of
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empowerment and resilience from families, youth, adults with disabilities, and older adults whose
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lives have been improved through peer support, advocacy, and connection to vital services; now,
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therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island recognizes
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RIPIN as an indispensable partner in strengthening Rhode Island’s safety net, advancing equity,
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and ensuring that all residents can access the supports they need to thrive; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives hereby congratulates RIPIN on the
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occasion of its 35th anniversary and commends its board, leadership, staff, and peer professionals
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for their outstanding service to the people of Rhode Island; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to RIPIN.
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LC006371
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