SENATE RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING RIPIN ON 35 YEARS OF IMPROVING RHODE ISLANDERS LIVES, the official text

S3285 2026 -- S 3285 ======== LC006378 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N CONGRATULATING RIPIN ON 35 YEARS OF IMPROVING RHODE ISLANDERS LIVES Introduced By: Senators Gallo, Tikoian, Lawson, DiPalma, LaMountain, Valverde, Felag, Urso, Burke, and Britto Date Introduced: May 14, 2026 Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration 1 WHEREAS, RIPIN is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization that helps Rhode 2 Islanders navigate health care, special education, and healthy aging in order that they can achieve 3 their health, education, and socio‑economic well‑being goals; and 4 WHEREAS, RIPIN was founded in 1991 by a passionate group of parents of children 5 with special needs who came together to share information, find resources, and support one 6 another, creating a peer‑to‑peer model that remains at the heart of the organization’s work today; 7 and 8 WHEREAS, Over the past 35 years, RIPIN has grown into a statewide network of more 9 than 100 peer professionals, most of whom have personal experience caring for a loved one with 10 special healthcare or educational needs, allowing them to provide uniquely empathetic, practical 11 support to families; and 12 WHEREAS, A majority of the members of RIPIN’s board of directors are always parents 13 of children with special needs from birth to age 26; and 14 WHEREAS, RIPIN empowers Rhode Islanders of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds by 15 offering one‑on‑one assistance, workshops, and learning opportunities that build the skills, 16 knowledge, and confidence needed to navigate complex systems of care; and 17 WHEREAS, RIPIN’s health insurance call center has saved Rhode Islanders more than 18 $10 million since 2018 by resolving coverage problems and preventing avoidable costs; and 19 WHEREAS, RIPIN plays a critical role in supporting parents and caregivers in special 20 education, helping families understand their rights, advocate for their children, and collaborate 1 effectively with schools in order that students with disabilities can learn, grow, and thrive; and 2 WHEREAS, RIPIN is Rhode Island’s federally designated Parent Training and 3 Information Center (PTIC) and Family-to-Family (F2F) Health Information Center, making 4 RIPIN a go-to resource for families raising children with special needs; and 5 WHEREAS, RIPIN also advances healthy aging by helping older adults stay healthy, 6 active, and independent in their homes, ensuring they get the care they need when and where they 7 need it; and 8 WHEREAS, Since 2017, RIPIN has recorded hundreds of thousands of interactions with 9 Rhode Islanders every year, including more than 115,000 client encounters in 2025, reflecting the 10 organization’s deep and growing impact across the state’s healthcare, education, aging, and 11 disability systems; and 12 WHEREAS, In its 35th anniversary year, RIPIN is celebrating countless stories of 13 empowerment and resilience from families, youth, adults with disabilities, and older adults whose 14 lives have been improved through peer support, advocacy, and connection to vital services; now, 15 therefore be it 16 RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island recognizes RIPIN as an 17 indispensable partner in strengthening Rhode Island’s safety net, advancing equity, and ensuring 18 that all residents can access the supports they need to thrive; and be it further 19 RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby congratulates RIPIN on the occasion of its 35th 20 anniversary and commends its board, leadership, staff, and peer professionals for their 21 outstanding service to the people of Rhode Island; and be it further 22 RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 23 transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to RIPIN. ======== LC006378 ======== LC006378 - Page 2 of 2