Chapter
383
2007 -- H 6131 AS AMENDED
Enacted 07/07/07
A N A C T
RELATING
TO EDUCATION
Introduced
By: Representatives Naughton, Slater, Williams, San Bento, and E
Coderre
Date
Introduced: March 08, 2007
It is enacted by the General Assembly as
follows:
SECTION 1. Title
16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended
by adding thereto the following chapter:
CHAPTER
86
RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY
SUPPORTS ACADEMY
16-86-1.
Legislative findings. -- The general assembly finds and declares as
follows:
There is a
distinct shortage in Rhode Island of workers who are trained and certified to
function in direct support of individuals with
developmental and/or learning disabilities who have
special needs.
The Paul V.
Sherlock Center on disabilities was established in 1993 at Rhode Island
College for the express purpose of supporting
community membership for individuals with
disabilities in school, work and society.
16-86-2.
Feasibility study for academy. -- (a) The Rhode Island board of
governors for
higher education (RIBGHE), working in
collaboration with the office of health and human
services (OHHS) and the Rhode Island department
of labor and training (RIDLT), shall conduct a
study to determine the need for and assess the
feasibility of establishing a Rhode Island
community supports academy at the Paul V.
Sherlock Center at Rhode Island College. This
academy would provide education and training for
individuals who are interested in functioning
in direct support roles for people in Rhode
Island with developmental and/or learning disabilities
that have special needs.
(b) The
feasibility study will include an analysis of need and cost analysis for a
12-18
credit certification program for entry-level
workers interested in working with children and adults
with special needs. In developing this analysis,
(RIBGHE), (OHHS) and (RIDLT) will consider:
(1) the
proposed coursework and supervised field placement component for the
certificate
program;
(2) the
employment needs of hospital and community-based settings; home-based
services; child and adult day care settings;
school settings and other settings that may work with
adults and children who have special needs.
16-86-3.
Input of interested parties. -- (a) In conducting the feasibility
study,
(RIBGHE), (OHHS) and (RIDLT) will solicit input
from a variety of interested parties, including,
but not limited to:
(1)
Administration and staff of the Paul V. Sherlock Center.
(2)
Administrators and faculty from Rhode Island-based institutions of higher
education
that currently offer coursework and degrees
related to special needs adults and children.
(3) Appropriate
community organizations that support the advancement of special needs
individuals.
16-86-4.
Reporting deadline. -- (RIBGHE), (OHHS) and (RIDLT) shall submit the
aforementioned study to the Rhode Island general
assembly by February 1, 2008, with its findings
and recommendations, including an assessment of
the size of the market for the certification
program, the cost and feasibility to establish
the program, and, assuming the study deems it
feasible, proposed actions and recommendations
to establish the Rhode Island community
supports academy at the Paul V. Sherlock Center
at Rhode Island College. Following the receipt
and review of the study, the general assembly
may report out a bill to begin establishment of the
academy to the regular session of the 122nd
legislature.
SECTION 2. This
act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC02434/2
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