We have begun our remote Olmstead Planning workgroups: 

Accessing Community Services Workgroup 

• Attendees: 22 people 
• Next Meeting: December 4th, 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM 
• Sectors Represented: 
• Governor's Commission on Disabilities 
• The Autism Project 
• Care Transformation Collaborative-RI 
• Brain Injury Association of RI 
• Brown University School of Public Health 
• East Bay Community Action Program
• UnitedHealthcare 
• Dept. of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals
• Rhode Island Department of Health
• Sojourner House 
• Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training 
• Looking Upwards 
• Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 
• Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care 
• Health Equity Zone 
• Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island / Community Advocate 
• United Way of Rhode Island 
• Ocean State Center for Independent Living 

Discharge Planning and Transition for Individuals with Disabilities Workgroup 

• Attendees: 22 people 
• Next Meeting: December 6th, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM 
• Sectors Represented: 
• Kent Hospital 
• Governor's Commission on Disabilities 
• Rhode Island Parent Information Network
• University of Rhode Island 
• The Autism Project 
• Brain Injury Association of RI 
• East Bay Community Action Program
• RI Hoarding Task Force 
• RI Elder Mental Health and Addiction Coalition 
• Dept. of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals
• Rhode Island Department of Health
• CareLink 
• Perspectives Corporation 
• Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 
• Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care 
• United Way of Rhode Island 
• Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island / Community Advocate 
• Rhode Island Department of Correction
• Department of Children, Youth and Families
• 
  

Preventing and Addressing Abuse, Neglect, and Discrimination Workgroup 

• Attendees: 11 people 
• Next Meeting: December 6th, 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM 
• Sectors Represented: 
• Governors Overdose Task Force 
• Governor's Commission on Disabilities 
• RI Hoarding Task Force 
• RI Elder Mental Health and Addiction Coalition 
• UnitedHealthcare 
• Sojourner House RI 
• Rhode Island Association for Infant Mental Health
• Perspectives Corporation 
• Sojourner House 
• Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 
• Health Equity Zones

Affordable and Accessible Housing Workgroup 

• Attendees: 28 people 
• Next Meeting: December 6th, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM 
• Sectors Represented: 
• Governor's Commission on Disabilities 
• Brain Injury Association of RI 
• East Bay Community Action Program
• Dept. of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals
• AARP Rhode Island 
• Rhode Island Department of Health
• Progreso Latino 
• Tri-County Community Action Association
• Department of Children, Youth and Families 
• Crossroads Rhode Island 
• Executive Office of Health and Human Services 
• Amos House 
• Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence 
• HousingWorks RI 
• United Health Care
• Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

To inform the Olmstead Planning Process, EOHHS and our Planning Consultant John Snow Inc. (JSI) released a funding opportunity to host community listening sessions. These sessions aim to engage diverse voices, particularly those with lived experience, to inform the development of the RI Olmstead Plan. 

We received 14 applications for the upcoming community listening session. The review of these applications has begun, and the final decisions are expected by early December. 

The Olmstead Advisory Group met on November 19th, 2024, to discuss the roadmap for the development of the Olmstead Plan and to review a revised planning framework. The meeting also provided an opportunity for members to share updates and for the public to provide comments. 

Key topics included: 

• Reflection on the Roadmap to an Olmstead Plan: A discussion on formalizing the group's expectations and feedback loops to ensure the successful development of the Olmstead Plan. 
• Revised Planning Framework: A review of updates to the planning framework for the Olmstead initiative. 
• Data and Program Inventory Overview: An overview of the data and program inventory that will support the Olmstead Plan’s implementation. 
• Advisory Group Member Updates: Group members shared progress and updates on their respective contributions to the initiative. 
• Public Comment: The public was invited to provide input on the Olmstead Plan’s development, ensuring transparency and community engagement. 

The next Olmstead Advisory Group meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17th, from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, at the Virk's Building, 3 West Road, Cranston, RI 02920. The agenda and Zoom link for virtual attendance will be posted on the Secretary of State's website 48 hours prior to the meeting. To access the Olmstead Advisory Group page, visit: Secretary of State - Olmstead Advisory Group.  

Olmstead Advisory Group members are required to attend in person to be counted towards official attendance and to speak. Members can apply for an accommodation to participate virtually by filling out the TeleComm Waiver from the Rhode Island Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, available here. Please note that waivers are not immediately approved and can take a few days or weeks, so we recommend submitting the waiver as early as possible. Members of the public may attend and provide public comment in person or online. 

We are working on implementing a more robust plan for accommodating in-person attendees at Advisory Group meetings. However, with the current resources available, we are asking for 7 to 14 days’ advance notice for accommodation requests to ensure all needs are met.

November is a month of reflection, gratitude, and recognition, and it offers an opportunity to honor the important observances that align with the Olmstead principles of inclusion, accessibility, and support for individuals with disabilities. 

This month, we begin by acknowledging National Family Caregivers Month, which highlights the invaluable role that family caregivers play in supporting individuals with disabilities. Caregivers are at the heart of ensuring that loved ones receive the care and attention they need, and their contributions are central to the success of the Olmstead Plan. As a community, we express our gratitude to these dedicated individuals, whose care often allows people with disabilities to thrive within their own homes and communities. 

We also celebrate Native American Heritage Month, recognizing the cultural richness, history, and contributions of Native American communities. Throughout this month, we honor their advocacy efforts for the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities, working to ensure that all voices are heard and respected in our shared journey toward greater accessibility and equity. 

On Veterans Day, November 11, we pay tribute to the men and women who have served in our nation’s military, especially veterans with disabilities. These brave individuals have sacrificed so much, and it is vital that we provide them with the resources and support they need to lead independent, fulfilling lives. The Olmstead Plan emphasizes the importance of ensuring veterans have access to community-based services, allowing them to live, work, and contribute to their communities. 

As we gather around the table for Thanksgiving on November 28, we reflect on the themes of gratitude, inclusion, and accessibility. This holiday is a reminder that we are all part of a larger community, and the Olmstead Plan aligns with these values by striving to ensure that people with disabilities can live in the least restrictive environments possible. It’s a time to recognize the progress we’ve made and to commit to creating a more inclusive society where everyone can fully participate. 

Finally, November also marks National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about diabetes and its impact on individuals with disabilities. The Olmstead Plan works to ensure that individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes have access to the healthcare and resources they need in their communities, promoting better health outcomes and supporting people in managing their conditions with dignity and independence. 

As we reflect on these observances, we are reminded of the collective effort it takes to build an inclusive community for all Rhode Islanders. This month, let us continue to honor those who work tirelessly to support and advocate for people with disabilities, and recommit ourselves to advancing the Olmstead Plan to create a more equitable and accessible state for everyone. 

A Time to Take Action on Stigma, Equity & HIV 

We ask you to save the date for The Gathering on December 5th! Please RSVP soon due to limited seating. It's time for us to gather and support people living with HIV.

Event Details: 

• Location: Rhode Island College - Alger Hall, 600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Providence, RI 02908 
• Date and Time: Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM 

Organizer: Mary Beth Roberti 

Contact: (401) 368-3059, mary.roberti.ctr@ohhs.ri.gov 

Please RSVP here:   THE GATHERING - A WORLD AIDS WEEK EVENT