Advisory Boards and Councils

Roles & Responsibilities

• Advises the Commissioner for Elementary and Secondary Education on matters concerning the unmet special education needs of children with disabilities;
• Comments publicly on any rules or regulations proposed by the State regarding the education of children with disabilities;
• Advises the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) in developing evaluations and reporting on data;
• Advises RIDE in developing corrective action plans to address findings identified in Federal monitoring reports under Part B of the IDEA; and
• Advises RIDE in developing and implementing policies relating to the coordination of services for children with disabilities.

Membership

Membership of the committee is composed of individuals involved in or concerned with the education of children with disabilities. Parents of children with disabilities maintain the majority of the Committee membership. The membership also includes individuals with disabilities, teachers, representatives of institutions of higher education, private schools, charter schools, state and local education officials, administrators of programs for children with disabilities, foster care and homelessness, vocational, community or business organizations, juvenile and adult corrections and State Child Serving Agencies. 

2021-2022 Membership

RISEAC has started its 2021-2022 membership recruitment and is seeking parents, school personnel, agency representatives and individuals interested in the education of children with disabilities to serve on the Committee.  The Committee is seeking members who will bring a spirit of collaboration, sense of commitment and new ideas addressing the unmet needs of Rhode Island differently-abled students.  RISEAC welcomes interested individuals to attend as a member of the public during the 2020-2021 year.  Please click here to access the 2020-2021 RISEAC meeting schedule.  

Applications can be accessed below and may be returned to Kerri Sorensen (kerri.sorensen@ride.ri.gov) at the RIDE Office of Student, Community and Academic Supports.  

• NEW! 2021-2022 Membership Application
  
• NEW! 2020-2021 Membership List
• RISEAC 2019-2020 Membership List
• RISEAC 2019-2020 Meeting Calendar
• RISEAC 2017-2018 Annual Report

Be Informed!

• Please contact Kerri Sorensen, Education Specialist, at kerri.sorensen@ride.ri.gov or at 401-222-8341 with any inquiries or questions regarding the committee 
• RISEAC meeting agendas and minutes are posted on the SOS website: Rhode Island Secretary of State. Meetings are open to the public. Individuals who need accommodations to enable participation in a meeting are invited to submit such requests two weeks prior to the meeting date by contacting Karen. Lovett at karen.lovett@ride.ri.gov or at (401) 222-8333.

Roles & Responsibilities
The RIVESP Advisory Board shall make recommendations regarding the following to the Rhode Island Vision Education & Services Program:

• the needs of the blind and visually impaired children in the state of Rhode Island;
• the educational and service policies required to meet the needs of the blind and visually impaired children served by the RIVESP;
• policy guidance and suggestions for budget development;
• methods which ensure that all students are taught by educators of the highest possible quality;
• appropriate committees and or workgroups as needed, to provide guidance and feedback on the goals and outcomes of the RIVESPAB
• the educational policies to meet the needs of the blind and visually impaired children and to advise on implementation of policies established by the board of regents, and the RIVESP ; and
• make themselves available to corresponding agencies, including RIVESP, in order to provide a link between these agencies. 

Be Informed!

• Meetings are open to the public. Individuals who are interested in joining or are in need of accommodations to enable participation in a meeting are invited to submit such requests two weeks prior to the meeting date by contacting Carlin Danner, carlin.danner@ride.ri.gov.

The Vision of the Transition Council
To create a partnership among state agencies, parents, students with special needs and local education agencies. This partnership will serve to enable students and young adults with special needs to successfully transition to adult life in their community.

Membership
Membership of the Transition Council includes students, parents, representatives of local education agencies and the following state agencies:

• RI Department of Education/Office of Student, Community & Academic Supports (Chair)
• RI Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals
• RI Department of Human Services/Office of Rehabilitation Services
• RI Office of Higher Education
• RI Department of Children, Youth & Families
• RI Department of Labor & Training
• RI Department of Health

Be Informed!

• The RI Transition Council meetings are open to the public. The agenda and minutes are posted with the RI Secretary of State.  Meetings are held from 2-3:00 pm via Zoom and/or at the West Bay Educational Collaborative, 144 Bignall St. Warwick, RI.
• 2020-21 Meeting Dates
  September 23, 2020
  December 16, 2020
  March 24, 2021
  June 12, 2021

Get in Touch!
Jane Slade, Education Specialist/Secondary Transition 

RI Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
Office of Student, Community and Academic Supports
255 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-8350
jane.slade@ride.ri.gov