Like many of you, just managing life during this pandemic has been challenging and I can say I have never been happier to look forward to a New Year! Watching the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris has renewed my sense of hope and inspiration with a chance for a new beginning. It is a new beginning for each and every one of us and for our community. We have endured almost 12 months of unpredictable life-changing moments. We have shared last-minute notices of our schools or provider agencies closing, our ability to go out & meet with friends or participate in community services, enjoy entertainment venues, worrying about our loved ones becoming or being struck with COVID, and we are still wondering where we are on the "list" to get vaccines. Every single one of us is worried about our future and yet we continue to advocate and journey through COVID together: there is HOPE! Our community has come together in ways that prove we are better together when advocating for the rights and protections for individuals with disabilities and their families. COVID and the year 2020 brought numerous disability organizations and individuals who worked closely together to begin to change systems and policies so that the system responds to you, your unique needs, and how you want to live your life! Organizations like The Arc Rhode Island, Sherlock Center, RIPIN, Disability Rights Rhode Island, The RI Developmental Disabilities Council, RIFORCE, OSTIC (Ocean State Trauma-Informed Community Coalition), Advocates in Action, and many others; have raised our collective voices to protect and ensure the health, safety and staying power of our vibrant community.

At The Arc Rhode Island, we have our own new beginnings! We moved into a "real" office space in The Meadows Office Park in North Kingstown and are so very happy to welcome Ken Renaud as Associate Director and Kaleigh Coria as Administrative Assistant and Communications Coordinator of The Arc Rhode Island. Thanks to Kaleigh for embarking on creating a newsletter that will consistently bring you the latest updates from the Department of Developmental Disabilities, our partners, and give you a view of the happenings in state and national government. Ken Renaud, whom many of you know as a longstanding RI disability and education expert, is taking the lead on several Arc Rhode Island initiatives that individuals with disabilities, family members, and the professionals serving our community can benefit from. Just a few weeks ago, our office formally launched a new program called: Circles of Connections and is currently serving over 30 individuals or family members in small "social/issue" online weekly zoom meetings. We encourage you to discover for yourself the benefits of becoming a member of one of our Circles groups that meet each week to develop friendships and end the isolation that has so gripped our community. Everyone needs support and sharing in a circle is not only fun but a way to keep those connections when we end this crazy life we are currently living! Ken is also leading the relaunch of The Rhode Island Facilitator Forum will hold monthly meetings that will teach us new strategies, remind ourselves of evidenced-based best practices, bring in experts from around the country to expand our knowledge, and provide support to each other. Together we are strong and, together, we can all continue to grow and thrive throughout this new year.

The Arc Rhode Island State Office is your office! We are here for you, your families, friends, and the community. The Arc Rhode Island State Office will continue our advocacy on all levels to promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, actively supporting full inclusion and participation in all activities from infancy to adulthood. If we can help you...please call us and join us in a growing movement of individuals and families working together for a GREAT life!

The Arc Rhode Island introduces our new program: CIRCLES OF CONNECTIONS. We currently serve 30+ individuals and family members in six weekly circles and are accepting 2021 applications. Anyone can join make new friends, share your interests and life experiences. It is a great place to connect with others as we all navigate our new world. Just click Here and submit your application for FREE Membership.

Join one of the CIRCLES OF CONNECTIONS groups today!

The Rhode Island Facilitator Forum is back after an 8-year hiatus! The RI Facilitator Forum will be building a diverse community of practice to lead the way to inclusive futures. A Founders conversation will be convened later this month to plan out gatherings and opportunities for mentorship. Stay tuned for future events!

Advocates in Action starts their New Leadership Program!

For more info or to apply click here.

In late December, Congress finalized a new stimulus package that includes 54.3 billion for K-12 schools. Congress also authorized flexibility in the use of the new funds including the explicit mention that funds may be used for any expense related to IDEA

(Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).

Kayleigh Coria joins us as an Administrative Assistant. Kayleigh will be working with Joanna and Ken to provide daily administrative and communications support to ensure the successful operations of The Arc of Rhode Island State Office. She has volunteered with The Arc since October 2020. For the past six years she has worked in Customer Service and Sales. She attended URI with a focus in Marketing and Communications. She lives in North Kingstown with her dad, 2 sisters, and her best friend, Rocky, a terrier mix!

DID YOU KNOW?

You can sign up for a newsletter with weekly updates from the Department of Behavioral Healthcare Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals by going to 

Do you know a person with a disability who has a hobby or idea for a possible business or who needs more support for an existing business? If so, our FREE ONLINE ZOOM Business Classes can help the person to learn all about self-employment and available resources to build their business idea and their financial future!

For more info: Parents' Role

For more info: Tips and Tricks

For more info: Tips to Talk about Trauma

Meet Vanessa

This week we attended an eligibility meeting with a family who has been asking for reading services for their second-grade son since kindergarten! He had been involved with Response to Intervention on and off which was “Barely keeping his head above water,” Mom reported. The family brought him to get a Neuropsychological and Educational Evaluation done. The comprehensive neuropsychological report indicated that the child’s IQ was solidly average and he was diagnosed with a Specific Learning Disability in Reading (Dyslexia) and ADHD (Inattentive). With a Special Education Advocate and an independent report by the family's side, the school found him eligible for Special Education and is developing an IEP (Individual Education Program). The parents were grateful their concerns were finally heard and acted upon. If you have questions about your child who is struggling, call us 401-363-9899 today to schedule an initial consultation to discover how RI Advocacy for Children, now a program of the Arc RI can help you too!

Special Ed Law & Advocacy Training (6.5 hrs) l Understanding Your Child's Test Scores by Wrightslaw.com

proAbility Forums for Families and Individuals

Join the probability team, a organization of The Arc of Bristol County, on January 26th to answer any questions  to meet the needs of children, families and adults through a wide array of services. Open discussions welcomed! More info.