Join us! Wednesday, April 12 @ Noon The How and Why of Guardianship and Alternatives Webinar Guest speaker: Meredith Greene, Special Needs Attorney and Partner at Day Pitney. Additional details below.        Coming of age - the inflection point between childhood and adulthood- is the theme of many a classic story from The Catcher in the Rye to The Graduate. These stories trace the path of a  teen's journey to adulthood and the discovery that their idea of what is best for them differs from that of their parents. For parents of children with disabilities, their child ..read more

An Update ...the conversation continues. By Alexandria Dunn A few years ago, I shared the story of my family’s 2012 conversation around our Thanksgiving table (see below). Now, almost 10 years after the discussion of who would care for James as my parents age and can no longer do all they do began, I have a few additional observations and tips to share. Since that time, the discussions around James and his future have flowed naturally and the plans related to it have evolved. Communication is more important than ever in working together to provide the best life for James. It is KEY f ..read more

Turning 18 - Important To-Do's Congratulations on your child's upcoming 18th birthday!   This is an opportune moment to work on planning for your child's future for when they turn 18, they are no longer legally considered a "child". It is now time to formulate plans for:  Implementing guardianship or a less restrictive alternative to guardianship. Maintaining eligibility for government benefits, whether you plan to use them or not. The future transition from school to adult services.  Here are some specific suggestions for parents to consider once guardianship has been ..read more

A Talk with My Parents Around Our Holiday Table A Sibling's Story: Thanksgiving, 2012 by Alex Nadworny   It was the first Thanksgiving in a long time where it was just the five of us: Ben, me, Dad, Mom and James, around the table. We gave thanks for all we had and the feasting began.  We ate and talked and laughed until we were as stuffed as Thanksgiving turkeys ourselves. We settled into post-dinner conversation and everyone was relaxed and in a great mood, when I heard myself say to my parents, “Where will James live when you are gone?” Immediately Ben replied, “He’s living with m ..read more

  Join us!   Presentation is at 7 PM in Burlington.   RSVP to Alex Nadworny ..read more

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Our list of the top ten questions about guardianship: What is guardianship? What is conservatorship? When is guardianship or conservatorship appropriate? What are the alternatives to guardianship? What are the key roles and responsibilities of a guardian? What are the qualities to look for when selecting a guardian? How long do the responsibilities last? How much does it cost? How and when do you ask someone to be a guardian? How and when do you introduce the guardian to your child? These questions and more will be discussed at our Ask the Experts Panel discussion on Wedn ..read more

  What is guardianship? Guardianship is a legal means of protecting children and  "incompetent adults" (in legal terms, adults who cannot take care of themselves, make decisions that are in their own best interest, or handle their assets due to a physical or mental disability). A guardian of the person is responsible for monitoring the care of the person with disabilities to ensure that the individual is receiving proper care and supervision. The guardian is responsible for decisions regarding most medical care, education, and vocational issues. Guardians are approved and appointed ..read more

Guardianship is a legal means of protecting children and  "incompetent adults" (in legal terms, adults who cannot take care of themselves, make decisions that are in their own best interest, or handle their assets due to a physical or mental disability). When the court determines that a person is incapable of handling either their personal or financial affairs a guardian will be appointed. The subject of guardianship for an adult child with disabilities is of concern to most parents. Parents of children with severe disabilities often assume that they can continue to be their adult child ..read more

One of the major obstacles that can prevent  families from planning is that they are frequently consumed by daily crises. The thought of planning ahead can simply be overwhelming. Realizing that each family situation is unique, we have identified the Five Factors that must be considered in conjunction with special needs planning. These core planning points are by no means an exhaustive list of planning points. They will provide a baseline of what should be considered in special needs planning for every stage. Think of them as the basics you need to consider regardless of the age of your ..read more