Leadership Training Opportunities

Parents and caregivers of children with special needs are on a lifelong journey of supporting and advocating for their children. Many times, parents and caregivers are looking for guidance and opportunities for growth.

This list of leadership opportunities provides ways for parents and caregivers to further develop skills and knowledge about advocacy, policy, and systems of care.

Program Name	Description	Additional Information
Incredible Years ® Parenting Program	Bradley Hospital offers this research-based program that has proven effective in helping parents reduce children’s aggression and behavior problems while increasing social competence at home and school. Incredible Years® is designed to promote positive parenting strategies and to assist parents in managing behavior problems.	A primary parent or caretaker can register for the group. A partner, spouse, or other co-parent is also invited to participate. Registration is open year-round. For more information about Incredible Years and registration email bradleygroups@brownhealth.org.
Parent Support Network of Rhode Island Peer Workforce Trainings	This is an apprenticeship program for dual-certified Peer Recovery Specialists and Community Health Workers. It offers ongoing training opportunities to families, youth, adults, and the behavioral health workforce; supports for those working toward certification with the Rhode Island Certification Board; customized training and assistance to agencies across the State; and workforce development for family and peer-based support recovery service providers.	Apply during open application periods
Community Health Worker Association of Rhode Island (CHWARI)	This program provides mentoring and financial support to help CHW apprentices train, become certified, and excel in community health work. This opportunity is in addition to employment in a participating job (2,100-2,500 working hours). Stipends ranging from $5,000 to $9,000 (in addition to salary) are available for completing program milestones.	Apprentices who meet specific criteria are eligible to receive financial support throughout the 12-18 months of the apprenticeship.
PLTI (Parent Leadership Training Institute)	PLTI is a free, 20-week virtual program that equips parents, caregivers, and community members with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to become effective leaders and advocates for children, families, and communities.	Sign up for email updates to learn when the application period opens for the next PLTI cohort, important dates, and details about how to apply before the announcement goes out to the broader community.
RI LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities)	The Rhode Island Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (RI LEND) Training Program is designed to provide graduate-level interdisciplinary training to individuals from diverse professional disciplines and cultural backgrounds so that they may assume leadership roles in the field of neurodevelopmental disabilities. RI LEND is funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of Health Resources Services Administration. The program represents a partnership between The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s, and the Paul V. Sherlock Center for Developmental Disabilities at Rhode Island College.	Applicants must be pursuing a graduate degree or have completed a graduate degree in a related field (e.g., audiology, genetic counseling, medicine, nursing, pediatric dentistry, public health, physical therapy, psychology, special education, speech and language pathology), and/or be a self-advocate, and/or be a parent or caregiver of a child with autism or other developmental disability. Submit a completed application with your CV/resume and include a one-page personal statement documenting a professional or life experience relating to a disability that demonstrates your commitment to supporting individuals with autism or other neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Women's Fund Rhode Island - Women's Policy Institute	Women's Fund of Rhode Island invests in women and girls through research, advocacy, grants, and strategic partnerships designed to achieve gender equity through systemic change. The agency’s work lays the foundation for a more equitable Rhode Island and has made the State a national leader in public policies that are good for women and families.	Apply during open application period through the website.
Leadership Rhode Island	Leadership Rhode Island programs are not a starting point for leadership development, but rather a process for leaders to refine and enhance their commitment to shaping Rhode Island’s future. Graduates join Leadership Rhode Island’s network of more than 3,000 alumni and gain access to more than 700,000 leaders through a National Leadership Network.	Participants are selected based on information provided on the online application, two letters of reference, and a personal interview. A tuition assistance fund is available to those who demonstrate financial need.
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Leadership Academy	The AUCD Leadership Academy is a week-long intensive experience, paired with a year of pre- and post-interactions designed to enhance the skills of current and emerging leaders from disability networks to build coalitions to improve systems of support and services. The Leadership Academy engages participants from University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LENDs), Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Centers (IDDRCs) and the wider community of disability partners to come together to immerse themselves for a week of study, shared experiences, self-evaluation, and skill development.	Apply online during open application period annually.