Services for People with Disabilities

Services Provided:
• Technical assistance and training in the areas of Early Intervention, infant mental health and trauma-based care practices, inclusive practices in schools, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports in schools, learners with low incidence disabilities (vision, hearing, deaf-blindness) dual sensory, transition from high school, and community-based employment strategies for youth and adults.
• Services include:
o Instruction and mobility services to children who are blind or visually impaired.
o Educational Advocates for students with disabilities who are in state care.
o Benefits counseling and assistance for Social Security beneficiaries.
o Family support and navigation of services.
o Support group for self-directed support users (DDD)
o Plan writing for self-directed support users (DDD).
o Support for parents with intellectual disabilities.
o Support to students in post-secondary education.

Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities, founded at Rhode Island College in 1993, is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). UCEDDs are evidence driven and designed to advance policies, practices, and research that improve the health, education, social, and economic well-being of people with disabilities, their families, and their communities. There are 67 UCEDD programs in the United States. This national network is administered through the United States Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Developmental Disabilities.
The Sherlock Center partners with state and national agencies, schools, institutions of higher education and community providers to implement its core functions: preservice preparation, services (including technical assistance, community education, and direct services), research, and information dissemination. As of 2016, the Sherlock Center is a LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) Program.
Areas of Emphasis:
Early Childhood and Education
Inclusion and Community Membership
Low Incidence Disabilities
Self-Determination
Transition, Employment and Adult Life
Workforce and Professional Development

Looking Upwards provide an array of services to children and adults that have a developmental delay.

Children & Families link

• Home Based Therapy Services HBTS link
• Personal Assistance Services and Support PASS link
• School to Career Transition Services link
• Behavioral Consulting link
• School Services link

There is a separate directory listing for Early Intervention at Looking Upward  

Adult Services link

• Supported Living
• Shared Living
• Community Based Family Services
• Day Enrichment
• Employment Services

Looking Upwards is a place where people discover new possibilities. It’s where adults with developmental disabilities explore what’s meaningful to them and create satisfying lives. It’s a place where families of children with special healthcare needs find support so their children get the best start in life and thrive as they grow. Looking Upwards is a resource for school departments and a variety of professionals, expanding their options for how they serve their communities.

For over 35 years, Looking Upwards has been helping individuals to live to their fullest potential.

The J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center provides a wide range of comprehensive services for all ages including :

Community Supports and Home Based Children's Services link

• Family Support Services
• Applied Behavior Analysis(ABA)
• Home Based Therapy Services (HBTS)
• Respite
• Personal Assistance and Support Service(PASS)

Crayons Therapeutic Child Care Center and Kids Connect Program link(currently closed and not accepting new enrollments)

Adult Services link

• Employment Concepts
• Residential Services
• Adult recreation
• Shared Living
• Works for me

Additional Directory Listings of Trudeau Programs

• Early Intervention-listed on a separate Directory entry
• Pathways Strategic Teaching Center's school for children with autism

Our mission is to promote an enhanced quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities. Trudeau has served as the area’s leading provider of services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are one of the few human service organizations that serves individuals at all stages of life. We currently work with over 3,000 consumers annually throughout Rhode Island and in some cities and towns in nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Momentum offers a wide range of services Link

• Applied Therapy Analysis (ABA)
• Assessments and Interventions
• Home Based Therapy Services (HBTS)
• Personal Assistance and Support Services (PASS)
• Center Based Clinical Services
• School Consultations
• Registered Behavior Technician Training 

Momentum is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities achieve their full potential. Our staff are committed to the mission and include experts in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, Special Education, and Psychology, that work together to enhance lives. Our behavioral health services provide a wide range of resources and tools to families, schools, and community programs in order to meet the unique needs of each of our clients as we build momentum towards achieving goals.

Services for children ( age 3-21) Children Services link

• Home Based Therapy Services (HBTS)
• Personal Assistance and Support Services (PASS)

Services for adults link

• Residential
• Vocational Services through Napatree
• Day Services
• Mentor Program

The Frank Olean Center provides an array of services to individuals of all ages with Developmental Disabilities.

Is my child eligible?

Contact Jason Lanzillo at 401-315-0143 x103 to learn more.

Many people may need extra help during a time of emergency, including people who:

• Use life support systems such as oxygen, respirator, ventilator, dialysis, pacemaker, or who have chronic conditions and require treatment (e.g., diabetics requiring insulin);
• Have mobility needs and use a wheelchair, scooter, walker, cane, or other mobility device;
• Are visually impaired, blind, hard of hearing, or Deaf;
• Have speech, cognitive, developmental or behavioral health disabilities; or
• Use assistive animals or a prosthesis.

The information submitted to the Rhode Island Special Needs Emergency Registry is shared with local and state first responders and emergency management officials. Your information is held confidentially and only accessed to assist in your safety and well-being. 

The Department of Health and Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency have worked with E-911 to notify first responders when they are responding to a household that may have someone enrolled in the Registry. While enrolling in the special needs registry does not guarantee assistance, this notification allows first responders additional time to consider how to best respond to that incident.

Enrolling in the Special Needs Emergency Registry lets police, fire, and other first responders in your community better prepare for and respond to your needs during a hurricane, storm, or other emergency.

• Lunch and Learn seminars
• Peer Support
• Advocacy
• Young Adult Transition Program
• Independent Living Skill Training and Assessment
• Home Accessibility and Adaptability
• Assistive Technology 

Ocean State Center for Independent Living , OSCIL, provides information on community resources and services to persons with disabilities and their families, service providers, and the general public, as well as receiving referrals for our agency for direct services. Information is provided by phone, email, mail, and one-on-one to walk-ins to our Center.

To keep our staff and consumers safe, OSCIL offices will remain closed to the public, with staff working staggered schedules and remotely, until further notice.

You may call our offices and speak to or leave a message for our staff members. 

If you would like to speak to our Information and Referral Specialist, call 401-738-1013 ext 13. You may also email her at info@oscil.org.

Additional location in Warwick

Developmental Disabilities Eligibility Criteria

The Division of Developmental Disabilities is responsible for planning, funding and overseeing a community system of services and supports for adults with developmental disabilities.

We believe that all Rhode Islanders deserve to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. Our work supports efforts across the state to expand opportunity and provide high-quality services for all Rhode Islanders.

Individuals and families may also receive self-directed services.

Mental Health Services Where to get help?

Substance Use Disorder Services and Prevention Where to get help?

Healthy Transitions Guide Take Charge of Your Mental Health ages 14-25

Mission: To serve Rhode Islanders who live with mental illness, substance use disorder and/or a developmental disability by maintaining a system of high quality, safe, affordable and coordinated care across the spectrum of behavioral health care services. To promote the health, safety and well-being of all Rhode Islanders by developing policies and programs that address the issues of mental illness, addiction, recovery and community support.

The Fogarty Center’s Children’s services include Home Based Therapeutic Services (HBTS), Personal Assistance Support Services (PASS) and Respite.

Home Based Therapy Services HBTS link
Personal Assistance Services and Supports PASS link 
Respite Respite link

 Contact Melissa Linicus, Clinical Director of Children’s Services at 401-789-4614

Established in 1952, the Fogarty Center is a private, non-profit agency that provides a variety of services and supports to children and adults with intellectual, developmental and/or other disabilities.

Fogarty offers a range of adult services link including Adult Residential Opportunities, Self-Directed Support, Day Services. 

The Fogarty Center is one of the original provider agencies in Rhode Island. We continue to refine and enhance our services with a commitment to developing innovating and individualized opportunities.

Servicing Families of Children with Behavioral and Developmental Needs

Areas of Practice

• Assessment
• Consultation
• Home Based Therapy Services (HBTS)
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Personal Assistant Services and Supports (PASS)
• Parent Training

Our mission is to partner with clients families, administrators, educational and related services to ensure clients’ growth for the long-term. Advocating for the inclusion and skill development necessary for their independence, and provide state-of-the art, evidence-based behavior analytic treatment methodologies.

Seven Hills Rhode Island provides a number of support services for children and youth with special health care needs and their families.

Child Services

• Home Based Therapy Service HBTS
• Personal Assistance Services and Support Provider PASS
• Applied Behavior Analysis Program ABA 
• Respite Link 

Seven Hills is an Early Intervention Provider and listed in a separate directory entry. 

Seven Hills Rhode Island is a comprehensive health and human services organization supporting more than 1,000 residents throughout the state. Our integrated supports are individualized, person-centered, and community-based. Our holistic approach provides a range of health care, behavioral health, community supports, assisted living, day habilitation, educational, and vocational expertise.

Additional location in Cranston

Seven Hills

178 Norwood Street

Cranston, RI 02905 

This service is free and loans Braille books and magazines, recorded books and magazines, music in large print and Braille, and playback equipment designed for the visually impaired. Available to US residents with physical or visual impairment.

Administered nationally through cooperating regional and local libraries.

ADvancing States represents the nation’s 56 state and territorial agencies on aging and disabilities and long-term services and supports directors. The mission of ADvancing States is to design, improve, and sustain state systems delivering long-term services and supports for older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers.

Formerly: National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities

Provides medical IDs with a 24-hour emergency response and medical information service. 

Services Include:

• Internationally recognized Medical IDs
• An online Emergency Health Record that members can maintain and
  access from anywhere, at any time
• 24/7 Emergency Response Team with access to members' health
  records and trained to provide critical information to first responders

Provides financial services solutions to people with disabilities and people in recovery.

Services Include:

• Guardianship Assistance
• Personal Finances Administration
• Representative Payee Services