On December 13, 2024, the State was informed by its vendor, Deloitte, of a major security threat to RIBridges, the system managing many state social services programs. There is a high probability that a cybercriminal has accessed files containing personally identifiable information. Programs potentially impacted include Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, CCAP, RI Works, and more.

What You Should Know:

The compromised data may include names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and certain banking information. Households affected by the breach will receive a letter by mail with instructions on accessing free credit monitoring services.

Protect Yourself:

• Freeze Your Credit: Contact the three major credit reporting agencies to freeze your credit for free.

• Monitor Your Credit: Order a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com.

• Request a Fraud Alert: Notify one credit agency to place an alert on your file (it will notify all three agencies).

• Enable Multifactor Authentication: Add an extra layer of security to your accounts.

• Stay Vigilant: Be cautious of fraudulent emails, calls, or texts. Never share personal information unsolicited.

Resources:

As we approach the end of 2024, we want to take a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made together. Through collaboration, dedication, and community engagement, we have advanced efforts to create a more inclusive and accessible Rhode Island for individuals with disabilities.

With your support, we have accomplished so much:

• 44 Olmstead Advisory Group Members appointed, including 7+ community members with lived experience.

• Convened 4 Olmstead Advisory Group meetings.

• Hosted 15 workgroup sessions with cross-sector representation and individuals with lived experience.

• Conducted over 40 key informant interviews.

• Received 112 Olmstead Planning Survey responses from residents across Rhode Island.

• Awarded 12 community-based organizations $10,000 to support Olmstead Community Engagement.

• Sent out five newsletters to keep our community informed and engaged.

This month’s newsletter focuses on important updates, upcoming opportunities to get involved, and valuable resources as we prepare for 2025. Thank you for being an essential part of this work.

December Workgroup Recap

The December workgroups provided critical insights and recommendations that will help strengthen services, housing access, and inclusion in Rhode Island:

• Accessing Community Services: The group discussed improving access to assistive equipment, simplifying application processes, and expanding outreach to underserved communities. Recommendations emphasized improving navigation tools to better connect families to resources.

• Affordable and Accessible Housing: Recommendations included gathering real-time accessible housing data (locations, transit access, community amenities), making HUD Type C or "visitable" units the standard for new housing developments, and creating a centralized list of affordable and accessible housing with waitlist management. The group also recommended finding methods of mitigating the benefits cliff.

• Preventing Abuse, Neglect, and Discrimination: Discussions focused on expanding youth transition programs, providing ongoing ADA compliance training for employers, and addressing stigma and discrimination in the workplace.

• Discharge Planning and Transition: Recommendations emphasized streamlining medical transitions, increasing funding for transition programs, and promoting inclusive programs that encourage independence and community integration.

December Olmstead Advisory Group Meeting Recap

The Olmstead Advisory Group (OAG) convened on December 17, 2024, to review progress and shape the next steps in developing Rhode Island’s Olmstead Plan. Highlights from the meeting include:

Initial Plan Outline: An overview of the emerging Olmstead Plan framework was shared, providing insight into the focus areas and objectives.

Community Listening Sessions Update: The group proposed questions for the Community Listening Sessions and provided updates and feedback

Workgroup Updates: Reports from each workgroup outlined several draft recommendations to date, and areas for further exploration.

Public Comment: The public had the opportunity to share their ideas, concerns, and suggestions to inform the plan further.

The next OAG meeting on January 21, 2025, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Virks Building, 3 West Road, Cranston, RI. This upcoming session will focus on plan design, framing, and a debrief of the Community Listening Sessions.

If you require accommodations or have questions about participation, please contact Edy Pineda at edy.pineda.ctr@ohhs.ri.gov.

December is a month of reflection, advocacy, and gratitude, as we honor key milestones in inclusion and accessibility. We celebrate Special Education Day (December 2nd) and the transformative impact of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act on educational equity. On International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3rd), we reaffirm our commitment to creating a more inclusive world. National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day (December 21st) reminds us of the urgent need for housing solutions and honors lives lost to homelessness.

As we celebrate the Holiday Season, we also look forward to welcoming 2025 with renewed dedication to making Rhode Island a more inclusive state in alignment with the Olmstead Plan. Together, we will continue building a future where everyone can live independently in their communities with dignity and respect.

We are proud to highlight the Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (RICDHH) for their ongoing advocacy, community support, and recent Coffee House Event. Led by Executive Director Michelle Cline, RICDHH is working to promote accessibility, including efforts to recognize ASL as an official language in Rhode Island. Many of our state agencies joined including EOHHS, BHDDH, RICDHH, GCD, RIDOH, Office of Healthy aging and many other community partners. The Olmstead Team joined to support and recognize that the deaf and hard of hearing community is a pivotal partner in developing and implementing a robust Olmstead plan.

Image Description: Coffee House Event Hosted by RICDHH. Left To Right. Angel Schultz (Sojourner House) Elizabeth Hubbard (GCD) Edy Pineda (EOHHS) and Michelle Cline (RICDHH) 

Mission Statement:

"Our mission is to provide innovative leadership in public policy, advocacy, service delivery, and accessibility throughout the Ocean State. RICDHH ensures opportunities for every deaf, deaf-blind, and hard-of-hearing person to become an empowered and contributing citizen."

The Ocean State Center for Independent Living (OSCIL) invites you to share your experiences and ideas at the upcoming Olmstead Listening Sessions.

Session Details:

• Session 1:
• Date: Wednesday, January 3, 2025
• Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Location: Pawtucket Public Library, Campbell Auditorium, 13 Summer Street, Pawtucket, RI
• Session 2:
• Date: Sunday, January 7, 2025
• Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Location: Warwick Public Library, Large Meeting Room, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick, RI

Format: Both in-person and Zoom options are available. Participants will receive a $50 stipend, and refreshments will be provided.

To Register:

• Visit: oscil.org/olmstead
• Call: 401-738-1013

Accommodations, including ASL interpreters and CART services, will be available. Additional language interpreters or other supports can be requested in advance.

Stay tuned for upcoming listening sessions! Partners send us your flyers!