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Hey there, !

Welcome to RIPIN's Self-Directed Support Program's December 2025 newsletter!

The goal of the Self-Directed Support Program (SDSP) at RIPIN is to guide families and individuals in navigating the systems and supports available to them when they choose self-direction. Sharing information in this newsletter is one of the many ways we do this.

In this month's newsletter, you can:

• Register for our December Webinar about Healthy Relationships.
• Save the date for our conference!
• Watch our recording about ABLE accounts.
• Review the year for our programming with us!
• Find some Winter Mood Boosters that work for you
• Find some great free gift-giving ideas
• Learn about some community events coming this month

The RIPIN Self-Directed Support Conference is back! Join us on March 20th, 2026, from 10 am to 2 pm, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Warwick for a day of learning, networking, and empowerment. 

To attend, registration will be required:

January 2nd - Priority Registration opens for individuals who self-direct, their families, and their Direct Support Professionals (DSP).

February 2nd - General Registration opens for professionals and partner agencies.

Exhibit Table Registration is available now!



You can bookmark the registration page here with this link.

We’re inviting individuals, families, and professionals to share what matters most. Your input will help us design meaningful sessions, speakers, and experiences at the conference.

👉Survey link here.

Healthy Relationships

RIPIN Self-Directed Support Program Presents:

Healthy Relationships

December 2nd at 6 pm on Zoom

Register Here

Rhode Island's general treasurer, James A. Diossa, answered our questions about RI's Achieving Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act and ABLE accounts. ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families. Please watch the recorded video above for this presentation. You can also find more resources from this webinar at this link.

Did you know we record all of our webinars and put them up on our webpage? You can watch the full videos from our webinar library here.

What did we do this year, you ask? We had a jam-packed calendar full of informative webinars, a fun social connection gathering, and, of course, we debuted the first edition of our Self-Directed Support Toolkit!

Take a look back at these past 12 months with us:

Winter Mood Boosters

As Winter sets in and the days get longer, the nights get darker, and the air gets colder, it is not unusual to feel down.

This article [link] shares information we can all use to keep us healthy and happier during what they call "The Big Dark." It discusses good sleep habits, light therapy, exercise, spending time with people you care about, and what to do if the problem becomes more serious. It also includes lists from different clinicians about what they personally do to maintain their moods during the Winter.

Additionally, if you find yourself struggling a lot in the Winters, it's possible you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Zencare [link] explains what this condition is and how to get help if you think you might have it.

Gifts don't have to cost money. There are lots of great ideas you can find. Here are two lists we found that we love:

This article link shares some unique ideas like making a personalized playlist, a recipe book, digital artwork, a plant cutting, or giving a collection of motivational quotes or affirmations.

This article link shares some similar ideas as the above and also includes picture examples. Plus, it has some other ideas likea time capsule, a set of handwritten letters, scavenger hunt, babysitting, a year in review slideshow, or a free coloring book.

And whether your gift is free, handmade, or bought, when you wrap it up, try this neat trick for those who need some extra help unwrapping their presents.

Each month we share updates, information, and upcoming events from our friends in the community.

Do you know a person with a disability or other individual who has a hobby or idea for a possible business or needs more support for an existing small business? If so, our FREE ONLINE ZOOM Business Classes can help the person to learn all about self-employment and available resources for their business idea and financial future! Traditional employment in jobs may not be the best option for some people with disabilities. Small business ownership is another great opportunity to do work that has real meaning for the person. It is something people can control themselves, and be able to sell a product or service they really love. Many people with disabilities have started their own businesses in the last few years.

The Next Class Starts January 2026

Did you know you can read archived past issues of our newsletter on our webpage? Go to our website at ripin.org/selfdirectedsupport.

Founded in 1991, RIPIN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps thousands of Rhode Islanders each year with health care, special education, and healthy aging. RIPIN uses a model of peer professional support—more than three-fourths of RIPIN’s staff are caregivers of a loved one with special health care or special education needs. For more information about RIPIN and its mission, please visit the organization's website at www.ripin.org.