Bilingual Early Intervention Parent Consultant

RIPIN (Rhode Island Parent Information Network) is a peer-led organization dedicated to supporting individuals with special healthcare and education needs across their entire lifespan. Founded in 1991 by parents of children with special needs, RIPIN has grown into a vital resource in Rhode Island, assisting over 45,000 people annually. The organization operates on a peer model, meaning a majority of its board members and more than three-fourths of its staff are parents or caretakers of individuals with special needs. This unique approach ensures that their support is rooted in real-life experience and empathy, offering genuine insight and advocacy for families navigating complex systems such as healthcare, education, and community services. RIPIN’s commitment to community empowerment and inclusion makes it a trusted leader in statewide initiatives for special needs populations. RIPIN deploys a network of parent consultants, who provide direct, peer-based assistance to families involved in the Early Intervention Program (EIP) throughout Rhode Island. These consultants play an important role in bridging families with the resources, education, and support necessary to help their children thrive.

The Bilingual Early Intervention Parent Consultant role is a key position within RIPIN’s Early Intervention Parent Consultant Program, funded through the Executive Offices of Health and Human Services – the lead agency overseeing Rhode Island’s Early Intervention system. This program focuses on hiring, training, and placing parent consultants in Early Intervention Programs all across the state. As a bilingual consultant fluent in both English and Spanish, you will provide critical communication and support between families and Early Intervention Providers, ensuring that non-English-speaking families receive the same high-quality guidance and resources. Your lived experience as a parent or primary caregiver of a child who has participated in an Early Intervention Program will be invaluable in offering authentic peer support. The role involves educating families about the Early Intervention system, advocating for their needs, facilitating workshops and support groups, and assisting families through transitions as their children move out of the EIP system. You will also represent family interests in various meetings and contribute to ongoing program evaluations like the yearly Family Outcomes Survey. This is a community-centered role requiring strong communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within diverse environments. The compensation for this position ranges from $20 to $22 per hour, reflecting the specialized expertise and dedication required to fulfill the responsibilities effectively. This role not only supports families during critical early developmental stages but also strengthens community ties, ensuring all Rhode Island families can benefit from Early Intervention services in an informed and empowered way.