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

     WHEREAS, RIPIN is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization that helps Rhode

Islanders navigate health care, special education, and healthy aging in order that they can achieve

their health, education, and socio‑economic well‑being goals; and

     WHEREAS, RIPIN was founded in 1991 by a passionate group of parents of children

with special needs who came together to share information, find resources, and support one

another, creating a peer‑to‑peer model that remains at the heart of the organization’s work today;

and

     WHEREAS, Over the past 35 years, RIPIN has grown into a statewide network of more

than 100 peer professionals, most of whom have personal experience caring for a loved one with

special healthcare or educational needs, allowing them to provide uniquely empathetic, practical

support to families; and

     WHEREAS, A majority of the members of RIPIN’s board of directors are always parents

of children with special needs from birth to age 26; and

     WHEREAS, RIPIN empowers Rhode Islanders of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds by

offering one‑on‑one assistance, workshops, and learning opportunities that build the skills,

knowledge, and confidence needed to navigate complex systems of care; and

     WHEREAS, RIPIN’s health insurance call center has saved Rhode Islanders more than

$10 million since 2018 by resolving coverage problems and preventing avoidable costs; and

     WHEREAS, RIPIN plays a critical role in supporting parents and caregivers in special

education, helping families understand their rights, advocate for their children, and collaborate

effectively with schools in order that students with disabilities can learn, grow, and thrive; and

     WHEREAS, RIPIN is Rhode Island’s federally designated Parent Training and

Information Center (PTIC) and Family-to-Family (F2F) Health Information Center, making

RIPIN a go-to resource for families raising children with special needs; and

     WHEREAS, RIPIN also advances healthy aging by helping older adults stay healthy,

active, and independent in their homes, ensuring they get the care they need when and where they

need it; and

     WHEREAS, Since 2017, RIPIN has recorded hundreds of thousands of interactions with

Rhode Islanders every year, including more than 115,000 client encounters in 2025, reflecting the

organization’s deep and growing impact across the state’s healthcare, education, aging, and

disability systems; and

     WHEREAS, In its 35th anniversary year, RIPIN is celebrating countless stories of

empowerment and resilience from families, youth, adults with disabilities, and older adults whose

lives have been improved through peer support, advocacy, and connection to vital services; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island recognizes

RIPIN as an indispensable partner in strengthening Rhode Island’s safety net, advancing equity,

and ensuring that all residents can access the supports they need to thrive; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives hereby congratulates RIPIN on the

occasion of its 35th anniversary and commends its board, leadership, staff, and peer professionals

for their outstanding service to the people of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to RIPIN.

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LC006371

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