A Guide to Early Intervention In Rhode Island
Rhode Island Department of Human Services

Contents

The RI Early Intervention Program Welcome! What is Early Intervention? Who is Eligible for EI? How Early Intervention Works The Familys Role in Early Intervention Natural Environments Development of the Individualized Family Service Plan Parent Consultants Rhode Island Interagency Coordinating Council Rhode Island Early Intervention Certified Providers Family Rights Timely development of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) Written Prior Notice Use of a Parents Native Language or Preferred Mode of Communications Parental Consent Surrogate Consent Confidentiality and Release of Information Review of Records Resolving Disagreements Mediation Due Process Hearing Assistance from the Department of Human Services Resources Evaluation & Specialty Services Information & Support Childcare & Education 6-11 12-16 17-20
THE RHODE ISLAND EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM

Welcome!

We are delighted to offer this guide as a resource for your family. This guide has basic information about Early Intervention (EI), your rights and responsibilities and some resources you might find helpful.
What is Early Intervention?
Early Intervention is a voluntary program that provides early identification, services, and support to eligible children (from birth to three years old) and their families. The purpose of Early Intervention is to help young children to be active and successful participants in a variety of settings - in their homes with their families, in childcare, in preschool programs, and in the community. The overall vision for what we hope children and their families achieve as a result of Early Intervention is that: Children have positive social relationships. Children acquire and use knowledge and skills. Children take appropriate actions to meet their needs. Families understand their childrens strengths, abilities, and special needs. Families understand their rights within the law and effectively communicate their childrens needs. Families help their children develop and learn. Families have adequate social support. Families access services and activities that are available to all families in their community.

Who is Eligible for EI?

Infants and toddlers from birth to three experiencing developmental delays, with certain diagnosed conditions, or whose circumstances are likely to result in significant developmental problems. All children grow and learn at different rates, but most develop a basic set of skills by a certain age. Children who have developmental delays may have special challenges or conditions that need attention. The Early Intervention Program helps families learn how to best help their child.
How Early Intervention Works
One of the key aspects of the EI program is for parents and the EI staff to work together as a team. Each family will have an Early Intervention Service Coordinator. The Service Coordinator will begin by learning about your child and his/her daily routines, including what your child enjoys, what is difficult for your child and family, and your childs medical history and development. Your Service Coordinator will also talk with you about any concerns you have about your child.
The Familys Role in Early Intervention
Families are encouraged to actively participate in the Early Intervention Program. The EI staff is sensitive to family differences and can work with families in meeting the needs of their child and family to assist them. Please talk with the Early Intervention staff about your concerns and priorities and let them know what is working for you and what is not. Some suggestions for making the most of each visit include: Schedule your visits during times that are best for your child and family. Actively participate in all visits. Write down any questions you may have. Ask to be shown anything you do not completely understand. Practice the strategies together during the visit and between visits during your daily routine. Make notes about what is working and what is not. Most of the progress your child makes in Early Intervention happens between visits when you practice new strategies during your every day routines. Share your thoughts with your Service Coordinator. Please call us as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule a visit.

Natural Environments

Whats unique about Early Intervention is that services are provided in natural environments. Research shows that children learn best when they practice new skills during their daily routines, and activities. Family members and/or caregivers do the actual hands-on work throughout the day, as opportunities arise with service providers acting as teachers, consultants, and coaches.
Development of the Individualized Family Service Plan
After a child is determined eligible for Early Intervention, the Early Intervention staff and the family design a plan called the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). This plan outlines the childs strengths and needs. It is developed based on the information gathered from an evaluation or assessment and the concerns and priorities of the family. It includes individualized strategies and supports that can be used to meet the desired outcomes or goals in the IFSP. The plan (IFSP) is reviewed every six months or as needed. Families may request an IFSP review at any time and must agree to any changes that are made in a childs IFSP.

Parent Consultants

Every EI program has a Parent Consultant. Each Parent Consultant has a child(ren) who has been in Early Intervention. They work with families to share resources, provide support and help EI families connect with other families in the program. They also help as families transition out of EI. If you are interested in learning more about the Parent Consultant Program, please contact RI Parent Information Network (RIPIN) at 401-270-0101. RI Parent Information Network provides information, support, and training to empower parents, families and individuals to become effective advocates for themselves and their families.
RI Interagency Coordinating Council
The RI Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) is an advisory committee whose membership is appointed by the Governor of Rhode Island. The ICC provides a forum for public input from families, service providers, and other stakeholders regarding federal and state policies on the Early Intervention Program. Meetings are open to the public. For more information on ICC meetings, please contact, Lisa Landry-Testa, ICC Chair, at 444-8485.
Rhode Island Early Intervention Certified Providers
Anyone, including parents, can make a referral to the Early Intervention Program. For more information on which Early Intervention programs serve your city or town, please call RI Parent Information Network at 401-270-0101. Childrens Friend & Services 621 Dexter Street Central Falls, RI 02863 Phone: 721-9200 Fax: 729-0010 Easter Seals, RI 213 Robinson Street Wakefield, RI 02879 Phone: 284-1000 Fax: 284-1006 Family Resources Community Action 245 Main Street Woonsocket, RI 02895 Phone: 766-0900 Fax: 766-8737 Family Service 134 Thurbers Avenue Providence, RI 02905 Phone: 331-1350 Fax: 277-3388 Hasbro Early Intervention 765 Allens Avenue, 1st floor Providence, RI 02905 Phone: 444-3201 Fax: 444-6115 Referral line: 444-8982 Homestead Group One Cumberland Plaza, 3rd Floor Woonsocket, RI 02895 Phone: 775-1500 Fax: 762-0837 James L. Maher Center 120 Hillside Avenue Newport, RI 02840 Phone: 848-2660 Fax: 847-9459 J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center 250 Commonwealth Avenue Warwick, RI 02886 Phone: 823-1731 Fax: 823-West Independence Way, Suite N Kingston, RI 02881 Phone: 284-1980 Fax: 284-1979 Looking Upwards, Inc. Iron Gate II 438 East Main Road Middletown, RI 02842 Phone: 847-0960 Fax: 849-0290 Meeting Street 1000 Eddy Street Providence, RI 02905 Phone: 533-9100 Fax: 533-9012 Referral line: 533-9104

Family Rights

All families in Early Intervention have specific rights under federal law. These rights are identified in The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that supports special education for children with disabilities or developmental delays. Part C of this law covers services for infants and toddlers and guarantees certain rights, called procedural safeguards, for their families. Timely development of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) All families have the right to a timely, multidisciplinary evaluation and/ or assessment and a meeting to initiate an IFSP within forty-five (45) calendar days from their referral to the Early Intervention program. Written Prior Notice Written prior notice must be given to the family at least seven (7) calendar days before the EI program can start, stop, or change an evaluation, placement, or services to the child and family. The notice must include the action that is being proposed or refused, the reasons for taking the action and the familys rights, including a description of how to file a complaint if needed. All prior written notices must be in the parents native language unless it is clearly not feasible to do so. Use of a Parents Native Language or Preferred Mode of Communication It is a familys right to thoroughly understand all activities and written records about their child. If families prefer another language or way of communicating, Early Intervention will get an interpreter if possible. The Early Intervention Program wants families to understand so that they can be an informed team member and decision maker. Parental Consent Parental consent means the parent, or legal guardian, has been fully informed about the evaluation, assessment, or service that is about to take place; and they agree with it. Parental consent may be withdrawn at any time. Refusing services may be done at any time without jeopardizing other EI services that the child and family are receiving. If a parent does not consent, the EI Program will make every reasonable effort to ensure that they: Are fully aware of the nature of the evaluation and assessment of the services that would be available; and Understand that their child will not be able to receive the evaluation, assessment, or services until consent is given. Surrogate Parents A surrogate parent is appointed for the child when the child is a ward of the state and the parent(s) have waived their right to make decisions in Early Intervention, the parents whereabouts are unknown, or parental rights have been terminated. A surrogate parent may represent the child in all matters relating to the evaluation and assessment of the child and the development and implementation of the childs IFSP. When a child approaches age three and is about to transition from Early Intervention, an Educational Advocate replaces the Surrogate so the child may be represented during the eligibility process for Special Education. The Surrogate and Educational Advocate may be the same person, as the child bridges Part C (Early Intervention) and Part B (Special Education) of the Individuals with Disabilities Act. Your Service Coordinator will guide you through this process.

Confidentiality and Release of Information Early Intervention providers must ensure the protection of any personally identifiable information collected, used, or maintained consistent with state and federal laws. The Early Intervention Program needs the familys written permission to get a childs records from other providers, the records that the Early Intervention Program will develop will not be shared with anyone without written permission. Review of Records Early Intervention must give families the opportunity to review any EI records relating to their own child. The Early Intervention agency must comply with a familys request without unnecessary delay, and no more than forty-five (45) calendar days after the request has been made. Parents have the right to inspect and review only the information relating to their child, or to be informed of that specific information, if the EI record includes information on more than one child. Resolving Disagreements If you disagree with the plan or services outlined in your childs Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), you are dissatisfied with the services you are receiving, or feel your rights have been violated; you should first speak with your Service Coordinator about the situation and try to resolve it with your IFSP team. If you are not able to come to an agreement, you should ask to speak to the program supervisor or the program director so that you can discuss your concerns with them. Your programs parent consultant may also be helpful. Mediation The quickest way to resolve a concern is to talk with a service coordinator, parent consultant, program supervisor or program director. However when a family feels these avenues have not worked, they may submit a formal written complaint. Mediation will be offered as a voluntary step. A trained, impartial mediator will facilitate problem solving between the family and the Early Intervention Program. If an agreement that satisfies both parties cannot be reached, the family can have a due process hearing to resolve the complaint. Mediation will not slow down the hearing process. Requests for mediation can be sent Rhode Island Department of Human Services, The Early Intervention Program, Center for Child and Family Health, Hazard Building #74, West Rd., Cranston, RI 02920 Due Process Hearing A parent may request a due process hearing regarding Early Interventions proposal or refusal to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, placement, or provision of appropriate early intervention services by submitting a written request for a due process hearing. Written requests for a due process hearing are sent to: Rhode Island Department of Human Services, The Early Intervention Program, Center for Child and Family Health, Hazard Building #74, West Rd., Cranston, RI 02920. Details for the written request are posted on the Department of Human Service website at www.dhs.ri.gov or by calling the Department of Human Service Info Line at 462-5300. Assistance from the Department of Human Services Staff at the Department of Human Services can assist families and Early Intervention providers by answering questions, offering information, and directly interacting with families and Early Intervention staff. Families can call the DHS Information Line at the Department of Human Services at (401) 462-5300.

A Central Directory of Resources
Evaluation & Specialty Services:
Rhode Island Hospital, George Building, 1st floor 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903 444-5927
Childrens NeuroDevelopment Center (CNDC)
The CNDC serves families with children from birth to 21 years old. The childs physician must make referrals. The CNDC offers evaluations of children and adolescents by a team of specialists. After completing a series of evaluations, a team of specialists meets to make a diagnosis and recommendations for treatment. This team approach allows coordination between specialists. Children who have multiple conditions may benefit from an evaluation at the CNDC. Specialists from the following areas are involved as needed: Education, Nutrition, Hearing and Speech, Occupational Therapy, Genetics, Physical Therapy, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Neurology, Psychology, Nursing, and Social Services. Consults are also available from other pediatric specialties, including neurosurgery, orthopedics, urology, and otolaryngology.

Bradley Hospital

1011 Veterans Memorial Parkway East Providence, RI 02915 432-1000 www.bradleyhospital.org A private, not-for-profit hospital that serves children and adolescents who have behavioral, developmental, emotional, and psychological problems. A Lifespan partner and Brown Medical School affiliate, Bradley has established itself as a national center for training and research in child and adolescent psychiatry.

CEDARR Family Centers

For children and youth with special health care needs and their families CEDARR stands for Comprehensive, Evaluation, Diagnosis, Assessment, Referral, and Re-evaluation. CEDARR serves children from birth to age 21 with Medicaid. A CEDARR Family Centers can help families: Learn more about their childs disability; Learn how to address their childs needs now and plan for the future; Find resources in the local community; Get information and access to a range of services and treatment options; and Connect with other families who have had similar experiences. About Families CEDARR Center 203 Concord Street, Suite 335 Pawtucket, RI 02860 365-6855 Families First CEDARR 765 Allens Ave. 1st floor Providence, RI 02905 444-7703
1 Frank Coelho Drive Portsmouth, RI 02871 365-6855
Solutions CEDARR 134 Thurbers Avenue, Suite 102 Providence, RI 02905 461-4351 or (800) 640-7283 Empowered Families CEDARR 82 Pond Street Pawtucket, RI 02860 365-6103 or (888) 881-6380
Lafayette Mills, 610 Ten Rod Rd., Unit 13 N. Kingstown, RI 02852 461-4351 or (800) 640-7283
The Providence Center, Early Childhood Institute Solutions for the Behavioral and Emotional Health of Young Children
520 Hope Street Providence, RI 02906 276-4137 or (800) 456-0300 www.providencecenter.org The Providence Centers Early Childhood Institute offers the following services for children from birth to age 5: Classroom, office, and community-based treatment for children under 5 who have behaviors that seriously disrupt their homes and child care settings. Treatment includes working with parents and other caregivers. Parent-child assessment and reunification activities. Training and consultation to childcare providers about: understanding social/emotional development, effective intervention strategies, environmental structure, and professional relationships; Trainings may be developed to meet the specific needs of a childcare provider. Training for mental health professionals, health care providers, childcare administrators, and early childhood teachers. Parent education workshops.

Assistive Technology Access Partnership (ATAP)
40 Fountain Street Providence, RI 02903 421-7005 Information & Referral - 800.916.8324 www.atap.state.ri.us The Rhode Island Assistive Technology Access Partnership (ATAP) is designed as a statewide partnership of organizations, each with a targeted assistive technology focus, working together to improve access to and acquisition of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. ATAP Partners include Adaptive Telephone Equipment Loan Program (ATEL), East Bay Educational Collaborative (EBEC), Ocean State Center for Independent Living (OSCIL), PARI Independent Living Center, and TechACCESS of RI.
TechAccess of Rhode Island
110 Jefferson Boulevard, Suite I Warwick, RI 02888 463-0202 or (800) 916-8324 www.techaccess-ri.org A private, not-for-profit resource center that serves people with disabilities that are interested in assistive technology. Information about products, funding, and services are available at no charge. Referral services are available.

The Autism Project

1516 Atwood Avenue Johnston, RI 02919 785-2666 www.theautismproject.org The Autism Project is a group of dedicated parents and professionals whose mission is to create a comprehensive system of services to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families. They offer a full array of social skills groups for children and teens with an autism spectrum disorder of all abilities. The Autism Project offers professional training workshops, training for parents of newly diagnosed children, a camp for children with ASD and related communication disorders and parent consultants that can assist families with coordinating resources.
Family Care Community Partnership contacts (FCCP )
Provides family supports and services for children, youth, and families who are at risk for involvement with DCYF or have a serious emotional disturbance.

Agency:

Family Service 134 Thurbers Ave Providence, RI 02905 Phone: 331-1350 Family Resources Community Action 245 Main Street Woonsocket, RI 02895 Phone: 766-0900 South County Community Action 1935 Kingstown Road Wakefield, RI 02879 Phone: 789-3016 Child and Family Services of Newport 24 School Street Newport, RI 02842 Phone: 849-2300

Geographic Area Served:

Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket and Cranston.

Burrillville, Cumberland, Foster, Glocester, Johnston, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield, Scituate, Smithfield, Woonsocket. Charlestown, Coventry, East Greenwich, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, New Shoreham, North Kingstown, Richmond, South Kingstown, Warwick, West Greenwich, West Warwick, Westerly. Barrington, Bristol, East Providence, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton and Warren.
Vulnerable Infants Programs (VIP)
50 Holden Street Providence, RI 02908 276-7887 The Vulnerable Infants Program provides care coordination and support for drug or alcohol exposed infants and their families. The program is designed to improve the communitys ability to manage cases of drug-exposed children at risk for compromised development and to provide the earliest and best intervention for these infants.
Groden Center, Inc. at the Livingston Center for Early Childhood Education
Services and supports for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavioral Disorder and Psychological Disorders. Supervisor: Cindy Akers 30 Livingston Street Providence, RI 02904 E-mail: cakers@grodencenter.org Phone: 525-2380 (for Cindy and referrals) Classroom phone: 421-1895 Fax: 421-3280 Director: Leslie Weidenman 86 Mount Hope Avenue Providence, RI 02906 E-mail: lweidenman@grodencenter.org Phone: 274-6310 x1006
Rhode Island Hearing Assessment Program (RIHAP)
Universal Newborn Hearing Screening, Women and Infants Hospital 100 Dudley Street, Suite 2 Providence, RI 02905 277-3700 voice/relay; 277-3701 TDD; rihap@wihri.org Rhode Island requires that all newborns have a hearing screening prior to leaving the hospital. Those that fail the screening test or pass but require monitoring are referred to an audiologist for follow-up. Parents who have infants over 3 months of age are usually referred to the Audiology Clinic at Women & Infants Hospital.
Audiology Clinic at Women & Infants Hospital
134 Thurbers Avenue, Suite 215 Providence, RI 02905 453-7751 Provides audiology testing and services for infants older than 2 months, and children and adults.
Rhode Island School for the Deaf Hearing Center
One Corliss Park Providence, RI 02908 222-3525 Provides hearing assessments for children 1-18 years of age. There is no cost to families for this service.
RI Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Office of Rehabilitative Services RI Department of Human Services 40 Fountain Street Providence, RI 02903 222-2300 (272-8090 Spanish; 421-7016 TDD) www.ors.ri.gov Provides the following services for children (birth to 3 years of age): Case management services to assist the family with transition from Early Intervention to school; Functional vision evaluations; Coordination with a teacher from the RI Vision Education & Services Program (see below); and Assistance with purchasing low vision equipment or adaptive aids, if appropriate. RI Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired also serve older children and adults.

RI Vision Education & Services Program (RIVESP)
Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities Rhode Island College 456-8910 RIVESP provides a teacher who is specially trained to work with children (from birth to 3 years of age) who are blind or visually impaired. This vision teacher coordinates with the RI Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired Program (see above) and consults with all of Rhode Islands Early Intervention Programs. In addition to the birth to 3 age group, this program also provides services and supports to children up to age 21.
Community Asthma Programs of Hasbro Childrens Hospital
Rhode Island Hospital 593 Eddy Street, P.O. Box 438 Providence, RI 02903 444-8340 The goal of the Community Asthma Programs is to assist families in developing the knowledge, motivation, and skills to advocate for their childrens health and successfully manage asthma.
Comprehensive Emergency Services (CES)
Comprehensive Emergency Services is a short-term, home-based intervention program for families in crisis. This statewide program provides case management, counseling and educational services to children and families. The program is designed to prevent child abuse and placement out-of-home, to resolve family conflict and rectify dysfunctional aspects of family relations. www.dcyf.ri.gov
RI Services to Children and Youth with Dual Sensory Impairments
Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities Rhode Island College 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue Providence, RI 02908 456-8072 This initiative provides family and professional support, coordination of services, information, technical assistance, and training to children with dual sensory impairments, from birth through 22 years of age. This federal project works with the child, and those who support the child, to identify and utilize communication systems, mobility systems, learning styles, material and curriculum modification, and alternative assessment techniques. http://www.ric.edu/sherlockcenter/index.html
Information & Support:

RI Department of Education Office for Diverse Learners
255 Westminster Street Providence, RI 020903 222-4600 The goal of the Office for Diverse Learners is to ensure that children with diverse learning needs are provided equal access to a public education and that schools develop effective strategies for meeting the needs of these unique learners. The department is responsible for children in special education, English language learners, early childhood education, preschool special education, and more. To learn more visit http://www.ride.ri.gov/ and follow the Students with Disabilities link.
Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN)
1210 Pontiac Ave. Cranston, RI 02920 270-0101 or (800) 464-3399 toll free in RI only TDD: 727-4151 RIPIN provides information, support, and training to empower parents, families and individuals to become effective advocates for themselves and their families. Workshops are offered on parenting, special education, early intervention, and transition. The RIPIN Parent Resource Call Center is available to assist callers on all issues affecting children and their families. www.ripin.org
Family to Family of Rhode Island
Family to Family of Rhode Island is a network created by families for families of children and adults with special needs. They offer opportunities for families to connect with one another to share experiences, information, and/or support. Family-to-Family of Rhode Island is sponsored by Family Voices of RI and the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities. 270-0101 www.rifamilytofamily.net
Family Voices of Rhode Island
Family Voices of Rhode Island offers health information, advocacy, training, and support to help families learn about their childs illness or disability and ultimately seek positive outcomes for their child and family. Family Voices is part of a national network of families and friends of children with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. 270-0101 familyvoices@ripin.org
Autism Spectrum Disorders Support Center
Autism Spectrum Disorders Support Center provides professional development opportunities and resource materials for educators and parents in an effort to increase their knowledge of the disorder as well as approaches regarding the education of children with ASD. Workshops and In-Service Trainings are held several times a year. The RI Department of Education contracts with the RI Technical Assistance Program at RI College to support the ASD Support Center. www.ritap.org

Additional Resources

Rhode Island 211 By dialing 211 or through the internet, 211ri provides information and resources on housing, education, health, crisis intervention, disability services and more. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. www.211ri.org RI Donation Exchange Program The Furniture Bank operates as a redistribution center by soliciting donations of good quality furniture and household items from individuals and businesses statewide. These items are passed on to qualified individuals and families who have been referred to our program by a member network http://ridonationexchange.com/ 401-831-5511 Child Abuse Hotline 800-RI-CHILD 800-742-4453
Childcare & Education:
Early Childhood Transition Coordination and Child Outreach Screening
Child Outreach Screening is a program overseen by the Rhode Island Department of Education and offered through every local school district. It is available to all children ages 3-5. This developmental screening looks at several areas including language, cognition, motor, speech, vision, hearing, behavior and socialization. If areas of concern are identified, a referral will be made to the families local school system for an evaluation to determine eligibility for preschool special education services. For more information, please contact your local Child Outreach program listed below. The Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities at RI College provides support to the states EI programs on early childhood transition coordination through a contract with the Department of Human Services. The purpose of this project is to develop a system that supports children and their families as they transition from an Early Intervention program to public schools and/or other early care and education programs. For more information, please contact Maureen Whelan at (401) 456-4735 or mwhelan@ric.edu. Some children who are eligible for Early Intervention Services also will be eligible for preschool special education services when they turn 3 years of age and Early Intervention ends. Listed below is the contact information for each school system who will work with those children and families who will be transitioning to preschool special education.
Local Education Agencies (LEA) School System Liaisons for Early Intervention Transition Child Outreach Coordinators (COC) Early Childhood Developmental Screening, Ages 3-5
Barrington Alan Gravell - LEA and COC Barrington School Department 283 County Road Barrington, RI 02806 247.3145 (main) 247.3169 (fax) gravella@bpsmail.org Central Falls Dawn Pagliarini - LEA Ella Risk School 949 Dexter Street Central Falls, RI 02863 727-6181 725-5140 (fax) pagliarinid@cfschools.net Rosa Morel - COC 727-6181 x115 Bristol Warren Regional Michelle Cordeiro - LEA and COC Oliver Administration Building 151 State Street Bristol, RI 02809 253-4000 Ext: 5117 254-0829 (fax) cordeiroM@bw.k12.ri.us Chariho Aimee Silva - LEA and COC Chariho School Dept. 455 A Switch Road Wood River Junction, RI 02894 364-1160 Ext: 2037 364-1161 (fax) aimee.silva@chariho.k12.ri.us Burrillville Jerilyn Caya - LEA Steere Farm Elementary 915 Steere Farm Road Pascoag, RI 02859 568-1350 Ext: 224 568-1353 (fax) cayaJ@bsd.ri.net Maureen Ciotola - COC 647-7560 Coventry Fran Murphy - LEA Administration Building 1675 Flat River Road Coventry, RI 02816 822-9400 Ext: 259 822-9423 (fax) murphyfran@coventryschools.net Barbara Bridge - COC 822-9400 x249

Cranston Michele Simpson - LEA and COC Cranston Early Childhood Center 45 Sprague Avenue Cranston, RI 02910 270-8057 270-8594 (fax) msimpson@cpsed.net East Providence Jane Sylvia - LEA Meadowcrest School 60 Bart Drive E. Providence, RI 02915 433-6209 433-6247 (fax) rid4875@ride.ri.net Donna Patch - COC 433-6216 x6259 Jamestown Gwen Spence - LEA 76 Melrose Avenue Jamestown, RI 02835 423-7020 Ext. 106 423-7022 (fax) gwennspence@gmail.com Gerri Cabral - COC 423-7020 x121 Little Compton, Middletown, Portsmouth, & Tiverton Ann Marie McAndrews LEA

and COC

Cumberland Kathy Gibney - LEA and COC B.F. Norton Elementary School 364 Broad Street Cumberland, RI 02864 723-3250 723-1084 (fax) kathy.gibney@cumberlandschool.org
Exeter/West Greenwich Carmella Farrar - LEA Special Ed Department 940 Nooseneck Hill Road West Greenwich, RI 02817 397-7420 (main) 392-0164 (fax) carmella_farrar@ewg.k12.ri.us Carol Ogni - COC 295-2888 x141 Johnston Nancy Brown LEA and COC Graniteville E.C. Center 6 Collins Avenue Johnston, RI 02919 231-8790 Ext. 2525 232-2060 (fax) rid21595@ride.ri.net Narragansett Susan Doboszynski - LEA Naragansett Spec. Services 55 Mumford Road Naragansett, RI 02882 792-9427 Carol Ogni - COC 295-2888 x141
East Greenwich Paula Dillon - LEA E. Greenwich Special Ed. 111 Peirce Street E. Greenwich, RI 02818 398-1231 886-3205 (fax) pdillon@egsd.net Carol Ogni - COC 295-2888 x141 Foster Glocester (Chepachet, Scituate) Maureen Ciotola LEA and COC 23 A Theodore Foster Drive North Scituate, RI 028857 647-7560 647-4107 (fax) mociotola@yahoo.com
Lincoln Kathy McDonald - LEA and COC Lincoln School Dept. 1624 Lonsdale Avenue Lincoln, RI 02865 765-8698 Ext.1307 726-1813 (fax) mcdonaldk@lincolnps.org New Shoreham (Block Island) William Anderson - LEA P.O. Box 1890 Block Island, RI 02807 466-5600 (main) 466-5610 (fax) Carol Ogni - COC 295-2888 x141
Regional Special Education Elmhurst School 1 Frank Coelho Drive Portsmouth, RI 02871 683-3570 (main) 683-3372 (fax) amcandrews@mpsri.net Newport Nichole Cardoza LEA and COC Newport Public Schools 15 Wickham Road Newport, RI 02840 847-2100 Ext. 221 848-5973 (fax) rid05991@ride.ri.net
North Kingstown Dr. Patricia Pezzullo - LEA North Kingstown School Dept. 100 Fairway Drive North Kingstown, RI 02852 268-6433 268-6434 (fax) Mary Nelson COC 268-6579
North Providence Amanda Pasquazzi - LEA Centredale School 41 Angell Avenue No. Providence, RI 02911 233-1145 232-5279 (fax) amandajp44@yahoo.com Leslie DesJarlais COC 233-1110 x4531

Child Opportunity Zone Family Centers
Rhode Islands Child Opportunity Zones (COZs) are school-linked centers that bring schools, families, and communities together to promote success in school for all children and youth. COZs are welcoming places in or near schools where families can participate in programs and receive information, support, services and referrals. Each COZ is unique and bases its programs on the needs and resources of its schools and community. Child Opportunity Zones (COZs) help families get before- and after-school childcare services, education enrichment, youth development, adult education, parenting education and support, preventive health and safety information, and health screening and referrals. For more information in your community, visit The Rhode Island Department of Education website at www.ride.ri.gov and follow the Before and After School link.
Early Head Start and Head Start
Early Head Start is a national program that provides comprehensive child development services to families with children under 3 and to pregnant women. The purpose of Early Head Start is to enhance childrens development, enable parents to be better caregivers and teachers to their children, and to help parents meet their own goals, including that of economic independence. Head Start is a national program that provides comprehensive child development services to preschool children ages 3-5 and social services for their families. Specific services for children in Head Start focus on: education, social and emotional development, physical and mental health, and nutrition. Contact RI Parent Information Network at 270-0101 for information on Early Head Start or Head Start in your area.
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY)
Supported by RI Parent Information Network (RIPIN), HIPPY is a home visiting program for parents of children 3-5 years of age. It provides support for the development of school readiness skills and gives parents opportunities to meet other parents with children of the same age. HIPPY is in 4 communities: Central Falls, Cranston, Johnston, and Pawtucket. There is no fee for participation. For more information, contact RIPIN at 270-0101 or (800) 464-3399 toll free in RI only
Options for Working Families
Options for Working Families helps parents looking for childcare. This organization has a statewide listing of licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, nursery schools, summer camps, and before and after school care programs. Options for Working Families also assists U.S. Military personnel to and afford child care that suits their unique needs. http://www.optionsforfamilies.org/
RI Department of Human Services www.dhs.ri.gov
Gary D. Alexander, Director Donald L. Carcieri, Governor of RI

How to Gain Insight and Respond to Unpredictable Risk
Learning from and Responding to Uncertainty
IIA Workshop January 11, 2008

Introduction

Five years ago the Sarbanes-Oxley act set in motion a string of unintended consequences for public companies. Among them: internal auditors are acquiring extraordinary opportunities to participate in the strategic direction of their organizations. And it is now evident to auditors that conventional risk and compliance models will be insufficient for the job of managing nontraditional business risks guaranteed to characterize the next 15 years. The Futures Strategy Group (www.futurestrat.com), Collective Intelligence (www.collectintel.com) and Board Advisory Services (www.boardadvisors.com) are partnering to conduct a one-day scenario planning seminar hosted by the Institute for Internal Auditors in New York. Attendees will receive a hands-on introduction to managing future risk and uncertainty, while learning to cultivate a clear line of sight on the cross-impacts of multiple kinds of risk from anywhere in their organizations. The intense one-day event will be framed by an adaptation of FSGs alternative-futures planning method. Collective Intelligence, a frequent partner of FSG, will help lead participants through the scenario planning work and provide them with the practical tools of capturing organizational knowledge and putting it to work. Throughout the day, Board Advisory Services, which has built its reputation on a horizontal view of risk management, will keep the expert audience on track toward an integrated view of governance, risk, and compliance. The participants should expect to experience a scenario planning exercise that is very different focusing on plausibility versus probability. At the end of the day, the participants will understand what is different and why it is valuable. This is not a predictive scenario model; however, it does facilitate the creation of predictive risk assessments. During the workshop, the audience will be asked to look into the future, ask key strategic questions, and analyze the implications against a number of plausible futures. We will not model the past into the future.
Institute for Internal Auditors January 2008 Conference on Managing Future Uncertainty Presented by the Futures Strategy Group, Collective Intelligence and Board Advisory Services, Inc. Workshop Agenda 9:00 9:15 9:45 10:15 Introduction and Welcome Re-Imagining Responding to Strategic Risks Scenario Analysis at a Glance Scenario Team Breakouts Markets Rule Asias Century Storm Clouds Terror Uncontained 12:00 Lunch IIA Board Meeting Speaker 1:30 3:00 4:00 Resume Scenario Breakouts Presentations & Discussion Wrap Up
Kevin McDermott, Collective Intelligence Jay Simmons, Board Advisory Services Peter Kennedy, The Futures Strategy Group Facilitation Team: Anne Simmons, Board Advisory Services Peter Kennedy, The Futures Strategy Group Charles Perrottet, The Futures Strategy Group Kevin McDermott, Collective Intelligence
Location to be announced Joe Reo, VP MetLife Plenary
Re-ImaginingHow we Respond to Strategic Risks
Jay Simmons, Board Advisory Services, Inc.
Managing Business Risk Has Always Been A Strategic Necessity, But Today The World Is Changing At Unprecedented Rates
The Top 10 Risks for Business1

Regulatory Global Aging

The Next 5

and Compliance Risk

for Talent

Financial Shocks

Pandemic Private Inability China
Consumers and Workforce Markets

Equitys Rise to Innovate

Emerging Industry Energy

Consolidation/Transition

Setback
Shocks of Strategic Transactions

Execution Cost

Inflation Greening Demand Shifts

Radical

Consumer
& Y and Oxford Analytical Survey: Strategic Business Risk - 2008 5
What Must Companies Do To Respond To These Risks?

Corporate Leadership with an Enterprise Risk focus must: 1
Conduct an annual risk assessment to define key risks and their impact on business drivers Go beyond financial and regulatory risk to consider the wider environment Conduct scenario planning for risks that you identify and develop operational responses Evaluate your organizations ability to manage the risk that you identify Monitoring and control processes to give earlier warning and improve ability to respond Keep an open mind about where risks can originate
& Y and Oxford Analytical Survey: Strategic Business Risk - 2008
How Have Companies Been Doing?
Business Risk: NEW YORK (CNN) -- Mattel, announced a recall of 844,000 toys that contain excessive levels of lead paint - the third such recall of Chinese-manufactured toys by Mattel this summer. (CBS) Mattel recalled 9 million Chinese-made toys Tuesday. Mattel said Wednesday it was recalling 1.5 million Chinese-made toys worldwide.
Business Response: BETHESDA, Maryland (CNN) -- The CEO of Mattel Inc. apologized as the company was forced to recall millions of toys for the second time in two weeks. "We are concerned," Mattel Chief Executive Officer Bob Eckert told CNN. "With respect to the specifics of this recall, Mattel was investigating the earlier recall, and discovered this one as well. But Mattels safety checks which include independent audits of facilities did not prevent the chain of events that led to todays recall.
Business Risk: (Fortune Magazine) What Were They Smoking? Wall Street's money machine breaks down. The sub-prime mortgage crisis keeps getting worse-and claiming more victims. -- shocking and utterly predictable. Shocking, because a pack of the highest-paid executives on the planet, lauded as the best minds in business and backed by cadres of math whizzes and computer geeks, managed to lose tens of billions of dollars. Predictable because whether it's junk bonds or tech stocks or emerging-market debt, Wall Street always rides a wave until it crashes. The list of losers, including Citigroup, Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase, Credit Suisse, and Merrill Lynch have lost more than $240 billion in market value.
Morgan Stanley and Bear Sterns CEOs said they'd forego their annual bonuses because of the poor performances.
Merrill Lynch CEO Stanley O'Neal and Citigroup CEO Charles Prince lost their jobs. Bear Stearns CEO James Cayne may resign.

Business Risk:

Write-downs on structured products
Citigroup Merrill Lynch UBS Morgan Stanley Wachovia Credit Suisse Lehman Brothers Bank of America Bear Stearns* J.P. Morgan Chase $9.8 b $7.9 b $4.4 b $3.7 b $2.1 b $948 m $700 m This is the low estimate; Citi says the figure could be $3 b higher. Analysts project that the broker will have to write down billions more this quarter. UBS still has nearly $40 b in CDOs and mortgage-backed securities on its books. Morgan's total subprime exposure after write-downs stands at $6 b Wachovia was among the top issuers of subprime mortgage CDO debt this year. Credit Suisse lost nearly another $1 b on leverage loans. Total includes leveraged loans; Lehman does not provide more detail.

$3.527 b CEO Ken Lewis is cutting back the company's investment-banking operations. $1.65 b $339 m Big hedge fund losses in June kicked off the subprime follies. CEO Jamie Dimon is credited with losing less than his peers.

Business Response:

Market players have realized they dont understand the financial system they created. 2 Financial markets accepted crazy home prices as the new normal. Investments that were labeled AAA turned out to be junk. 2 Nobody knows where the financial toxic waste is buried. Citigroup wasnt supposed to have tens of billions of dollars in sub-prime exposure. Floridas Local Government Investment Pool was supposed to be risk-free. 2 How did things get so opaque? The answer is financial innovation two words that should, from now on, strike fear into investors hearts. 2 Unlike Enron, the problem here is not unethical or compromised auditors; its accounting rules and rule makers that have not kept pace with the sophistication of the markets. 3
2 Innovating Our Way to Financial Crisis By Paul Krugman NY Times 3 Strengthening the Gatekeepers: The importance of independence and accountability to the capital markets, Arthur Levitt, Jr.
What Does The Future Hold?
Five key trends, which are all likely to reshape internal audit by 2012 4

Globalization

Talent
and organizational issues advancement

Technological

Changes
in risk management internal audit roles

Changing

4 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Survey Internal audit 2012
How Do You As Auditors Respond?

Are Are

you speaking the same language as your management and business partners?
you assessing risks to the companies growth (business value) or are you solely focused on control processes? you assessing risks in an integrated fashion with an end to end perspective?

Are Is

there a coordinated framework to align the various risk and control functions regarding governance, risk, and compliance assessments. existing risk judgments assess the business risk exposures that the company faces in the markets it serves, fully and adequately? you participate in discussions on strategic business initiatives as it relates to identifying risks and risk mitigation strategies? future for auditing will require independence as it has for the last 50 years, but it will also require that you sit at the executive table as a partner ensuring independent validation of strategic directions about to be undertaken. This will be a risk based perspective with business implications and choices. do you need to do that? Well give you a taste in the next few hours.

Scenario Analysis at a Glance
Peter Kennedy, The Futures Strategy Group
What This Day Is All About
A hands-on introduction to Scenario Analysis Four break-out groups, working in different scenarios, based on real scenarios originally developed for NASA A real deliverable -- each group will have to evaluate a hypothetical business proposal based on the requirements contained in that groups scenario A plenary comparison of group results -- looking for common themes, points of divergence, and lessons learned Hard work, some fun, and useful insights -- a window into a different way of doing risk analysis
What Do We Mean By Scenario Analysis?
Scenario Analysis is a powerful way to think expansively and critically about future risks and uncertainties in the business environment. It is:
A risk management and planning process that explicitly factors in a range of plausible alternative future operating conditions A tool by which users are forced to to consider un-forecastable disruptions and design appropriate control and remediation measures A unique window into future enterprise requirements and issues
A way of managing the uncertainty that surrounds the future
Simple Scenarios Versus Scenario Analysis

Whats the difference?

Simple Scenarios
Tend to be short-term, one to three years out

Scenarios Analysis

Longer-term, five to 25 years out
Alternative forecasts, predictive
Not forecasts (but can help inform forecasts)
Focus on a single or a very small set of trends and issues Do not capture cross-impacts
Looks aggressively at the full range of factors that affect the enterprise Assumes cross impacts and non-intended consequences An ongoing knowledge and learning tool

One-off applications

Whats The Value Of Scenario Analysis In A Risk Management And Control Context?
Horizon: Scenario Analysis looks well out beyond normal business planning -- 18 to 24 months, to five, ten, even 25 years out Rigor: Scenario Analysis contemplates not just THE ISSUE but all potentially relevant factors surrounding THE ISSUE Comprehensiveness: Scenario Analysis is not about best and worst cases. Considers all plausible characteristics of the future, even extreme ones. Utility: Scenario Analysis is rooted in action, a focus on what do you begin doing TODAY to be prepared for future challenges and opportunities? Alignment: Scenario Analysis lends itself to collaboration across business units, and between audit/control and strategy & operations functions. Knowledge: it is a powerful learning and training tool

Examples Of Scenario Analysis Applications
USAF explored the implications of the Cold War ending in the early 1980s;
eyes opened to lower budgets, more competition for resources
Merrill Lynch used an expansive set of scenarios to develop business
continuity plans after 9-11
Volkswagen anticipated financial and market disruptions during
hyperinflationary periods in the 1990s in Brazil and Argentina
Panama Canal reluctantly considered an environmental crisis in their
scenario set. They were prepared when a once-a-century drought hit
IBM used scenarios to develop business unit strategies. It has extended that
application to its Enterprise Risk Management program, creating an integrated, and collaborative planning/risk management function.

The Drill Today

A simulated, abbreviated Scenario Analysis Four breakout groups working simultaneously, each in a different scenario:
Markets Rule Asias Century Storm Clouds Terror Uncontained
Scenario documents will be distributed when the groups begin Facilitators will lead the discussion, following a common guide
Explore the scenario--What is it like to live in Markets Rule of 2020? Identify general business risks and opportunities Evaluate a business proposal (details forthcoming) in scenario context
Compare results and identify common solutions in plenary
Essential Rules Of The Road
Accept the scenario as-is; stay true to your scenario world. Stay in the year 2020! Use the past tense when speaking of years pre-2020. Share the air Listen well. Exchange ideas. There are no correct answers. Be prompt for sessions -- time is extremely limited and it will fly by! Turn off all cell phones and PDAs during sessions. Work hard, have some fun!

Scenario Team Breakouts

Markets Rule Asias Century Storm Clouds Terror Uncontained

Facilitation Team:

Anne Simmons, Board Advisory Services Peter Kennedy, The Futures Strategy Group Charles Perrottet, The Futures Strategy Group Kevin McDermott, Collective Intelligence

Appendix

Anne M Simmons Principal, Board Advisory Services, Inc anne.simmons@boardadvisors.com

Anne believes that control and compliance lead to confidence in business strategy and execution. Optimized business performance must be a balance of risk and reward. Her perspective focuses on creating that balance through rigorous governance, business planning, and monitored performance. Creating lasting value emanates from designing sustainable, repeatable and compliant solutions to business opportunities. As a highly qualified senior executive and enterprise program manager, Ms. Simmons offers dynamic, focused, and decisive leadership. A record of developing and executing business strategies within emerging, mature, global, and extremely competitive business markets. Demonstrative expertise in team building and achieving significant business results with an emphasis on compliance and risk management. Ms. Simmons has functioned as an executive in number capacities delivering business value through line of business leadership for mission critical transaction businesses, development of de novo consulting organizations within fortune 500 firms, establishing professional services capabilities in a turnaround situation, and business evaluation and implementation of emerging technology based business propositions seeking venture capital. Ms. Simmons is a frequent author and speaker on business strategy and management related topics.
Charles M. Perrottet Principal, The Futures Strategy Group LLC cperrottet@futurestrat.com
Charles Perrottet is a founding principal of the Futures Strategy Group, LLC (FSG), which was established in 2002 to support long-term planning and strategic decisions of large corporate and governmental organizations. FSG is the successor organization to Deloitte Consultings Scenario Practice, which Mr. Perrottet led as a Firm Director, and The Futures Group, where Mr. Perrottet led the Strategy Practice for over ten years. Prior, Mr. Perrottet served as VP of Corporate Development for Hasbro. He had corporate responsibility for strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, and investor relations. In this capacity, he acted as principal advisor to the CEO on issues concerning corporate strategy, new business opportunities, technological developments, and the competitive environment. During his tenure, his company was the largest and most successful company in its field and enjoyed the highest 10-year return to investors of any Fortune 500 firm. Mr. Perrottet has been an advisor to top executives for most of his 30 years. He has helped them construct strategies that have capitalized on changes in the makeup of the customer base "pulling" their markets and technological, regulatory, and competitive developments "pushing" the markets. Mr. Perrottet has led strategy projects for some of the worlds largest and most successful companies. Mr. Perrottet holds a degree (Magna Cum Laude) in marketing from Lehigh University, an MBA in finance from the University of Chicago, and an MSc in economics from the London School of Economics. He has written extensively on planning, strategy and the forces for change for such publications as Management Review, Bests, Planning Review, Airline Business, Journal of Business Strategy, Chemical Management Review, and other publications.

Jay Thomas Simmons Principal, Board Advisory Services, Inc jay.simmons@boardadvisors.com
Jay is an outspoken proponent of horizontally and vertically integrating business, compliance and risk strategies with the need to execute new business and organizational models to ensure leverage across channels, business units, and core functions for an optimized return on investment that increases shareholder value and creates a sustainable competitive advantage. He is an industry recognized expert on all aspects of global high value and small value payment systems and settlement systems, fraud, technology, and regulatory policy implementation as acknowledged by the Association of Financial Professionals, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Bank, the OECD, and others. He is a retained payments system expert for intellectual property and patent litigation. He has been a regular speaker for the Association of Financial Professionals, NACHA, BAI, SWIFT and many others; he is frequently published by the Journal of Capital Management, Journal of Cash Management, Banking Technology News, American Banker and others. Jay held senior management positions in global cash management, trade finance and corporate finance with J.P. Morgan, Chase Manhattan Bank, CoreStates Financial, Bank of America and Citigroup. Jay has also held executive and board positions with LogicaCMG, Board Advisory Services, Inc., LockStar, Inc. and CertCo, Inc. Educated in the U.S. and Asia, Jay graduated with a BA in Behavioral Science and Organizational Dynamics from Pennsylvania Military College. He was selected for and completed J.P. Morgans credit and management training program. He became a Certified Cash Manager in 1993 by the Association for Financial Professionals.
Kevin McDermott Principal, Collective Intelligence KevinMcDermott@collectintel.com
Kevin McDermott launched Collective Intelligence in 1996. His first major client, an international strategy consultancy, asked him to map the firm's inaugural intranet. Central to that work was McDermott's invention of an innovative methodology capturing the insights of the firm's consultants soon after completion of engagements short, narrative "after action" reports applying the lessons of experience while they were fresh. The success of this invention brought an invitation to address the first forum on "Groupware & Electronic Communities" at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Since then CI's client list has grown to include financial-services firms, the US Department of State, a leading international recruiter and one of the world's largest international aid organizations. In 2006 McDermott was a major contributor to Project Horizon, a groundbreaking strategic-planning exercise sponsored by global affairs agencies of the U.S. McDermott previously worked as a journalist, reporting from France for The Washington Post and Saveur, from England for The New York Times, and from Haiti for The Atlantic Monthly. He earned a masters in American Studies from the University of Nottingham in Great Britain. He holds a double degree in Political Science and English from the University of Rochester in the United States.

Peter J. Kennedy, Jr. Principal, The Futures Strategy Group LLC pkennedy@futurestrat.com
Peter Kennedy is a founding principal of the Futures Strategy Group (FSG) and an accomplished strategy consultant specializing in long-term market assessment and scenario-based strategic planning. Prior to the founding of FSG and for nearly four years, Mr. Kennedy was a senior manager in the Strategy practice of Deloitte Consulting. Before that, Mr. Kennedy was director of the Emerging Markets practice of The Futures Group, Inc., based in Glastonbury, Conn. In all, Mr. Kennedy has nearly 20 years experience helping client organizations make effective plans in the face of future uncertainty and change. He has provided analytical, forecasting and decision support services to numerous corporate and governmental organizations in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. Mr. Kennedy has previously delivered scenario-planning services to clients in the automotive, air transportation, healthcare, financial services, telecommunications, and consumer products industries. His government clients include the U.S. Coast Guard, NASA Aeronautics, and the U.S. Department of State. Prior to joining The Futures Group, Mr. Kennedy spent six years with The Economist Group, where he served as a country analyst, editor, and manager of proprietary research for the Americas region. Mr. Kennedy holds an MA in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a BA in History from Le Moyne College. He has written extensively on planning, strategy, and emerging markets issues for such publications as Journal of Business Strategy, Directors and Boards, and Business Latin America. Mr. Kennedy has appeared on national news programs, including CNNs Money Line and Bloombergs Financial News. Mr. Kennedy speaks regularly on scenario planning and has extensive experience running scenario-based strategy workshops, including at Stanford Universitys graduate business school, Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Business, the University of Texass Institute of Latin American Studies, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Mr. Kennedy speaks Spanish. He holds U.S. and Irish citizenship.