September 2023
September 2023
WELCOME FALL!
We hope your family is having a great start to the school year! For our team at Clancy & Associates, Fall means that we're back to our Seminar and Transition Fair schedule. This season, we are excited to present a unique 3-Part Seminar Series that covers the topics and issues all special needs parents need to know. Attend just one or all three - from the convenience of your home. We hope you will join us!
Thinking About "Guardianship"?
Parents often ask us whether Guardianship is appropriate for their child, not always realizing there are many other options. We take that question as our cue to discuss "Decision Making Considerations" thoroughly and explain that formal Guardianship is just one of several decision-making tools available for their child. Many parents are surprised to learn that Guardianship can be customized to cover very limited areas of a person's life... continue reading this article.

📢 Check out our Fall Seminars and Fairs!
"Legal and Financial Planning for the Special Needs Family"
Presented by Clancy & Associates
Hosted by Stevenson High School ELC (Public welcome)

September 15, 2023 12:30PM
Stevenson High School Exceptional Learners Collaborative, 990 Corporate Woods Pkwy., Vernon Hills, IL

Learn about about Decision Making tools like Guardianship and Powers of Attorney, Special Needs Trusts, and Government Benefits. This seminar is geared toward families whose children are approaching the Transition age of 18. Kate Schye and Jennifer Sabourin, attorneys and parents of children with disabilities, will be presenting. Presentation is open to all!

See the flyer for more information.
District 215 Transition Resource Fair
(Public welcome)

September 27, 2023 5:00PM - 7:00PM
TF South High School, 18500 Burnham Ave., Lansing, IL

This Transition Resource Fair will be open to high school and transition-aged students with disabilities and their families from communities throughout South Suburban Cook County. Browse the fair to meet agencies, school options, employment services, and many more resources for your transition-aged student. These connections provide insight to a wide range of agencies that serve the transition and adult age span.

See D215's website for updated information.
Speak Up and Speak Out Summit - Arc of Illinois
(Hybrid in-person and Virtual)

October 5, 2023 3:00PM - October 6, 2023 4:00PM

This year's theme is "Building a Better Future Together" and will focus on providing attendees with information to help empower them to use their voice to make positive choices and changes in their life.

See the Arc of Illinois' website for more information.
Options Fair 2023 (In-person - Public welcome)

October 11, 2023 6:00PM-8:30PM
York Community High School, 255 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst, IL

Don't miss this highly anticipated annual event! This Resource Fair is geared toward high school and transition-aged students with disabilities and their families. Browse the fair to meet agencies, certificate, college and vocational options, employment services, and many more resources for your transition-aged student. There are usually 80+ booths to visit and gather valuable information under one roof! These connections provide insight to a wide range of agencies that serve the transition and adult age span. You'll be glad that you went!

See the Options Fair website for more information.
Transition Series I: "Decision Making: Exploring Guardianship and Powers of Attorney" (ZOOM - Public welcome)
Presented by Clancy & Associates
Hosted by Giant Steps Autism Organization

October 24, 2023 6:00PM-7:00PM

Participants will learn how to prepare for their child's 18th birthday, when a child needs decision-making support, how to assess the type of decision-making tool for their child, all about Supported Decision Making, Powers of Attorney and Guardianship, and court processes. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session. This is the first presentation in our 2023 Transition Series!

Please email [email protected] to register. Check our website under the "Events" tab for updates.
Transition Series II: "Special Needs Trusts and Financial Planning" (ZOOM - Public welcome)
Presented by Clancy & Associates
Hosted by Turning Pointe Autism Foundation

November 1st, 2023 6:00PM - 7:30PM

Learn all about Special Needs Trusts: What is a SNT? Why does my child need a special needs trust? How do SNTs protect government benefits? Who are the people I should choose to guide my child when I am gone? How does a SNT work? Our financial expert will discuss how to save for your child's future, what government benefits can provide for your child, and tips and tricks to build assets for your own retirement as well as your child's future.

This is the second presentation in our 2023 Transition Series!

See Turning Pointe's website for updates on how to register.
"Legal Planning for the Special Needs Family"
Presented by Clancy & Associates

Illinois Statewide Transition Conference
Thursday, November 2nd, 2:15PM-3:15PM

Learn about about Decision Making tools like Guardianship and Powers of Attorney, Special Needs Trusts, and Government Benefits. This seminar is geared toward families whose children are approaching the Transition age of 18. Kate Schye and Jennifer Sabourin, attorneys and parents of children with disabilities, will be presenting. Presentation is open to all!

This presentation is offered through the Transition Conference which promotes effective, person-centered transition planning to address all aspects of adult life for those with disabilities.

See the website for more information.
Transition Series III: "Transition Top Ten - What To Do at Age 18" (ZOOM - Public welcome)
Presented by Clancy & Associates
Hosted by Giant Steps Autism Organization

November 14th, 2023 6:00PM-7:00PM

This presentation covers all things Transition! Our team of experts and guests will address a concise list of "must-dos" for a young person turning 18. If you're worried that you're behind on your "list", this is the seminar for you. Learn about what you still need to do and meet the experts you need to help you complete your tasks.

This is our third and final presentation in our 2023 Transition Series.

Please email [email protected] to register. Check our website under the "Events" tab for updates.
The BEST Fair
A Resource Fair hosted by Niles North High School (In-person - Public welcome)

November 15, 2023 6:00PM-7:00PM Presentations
7:00PM-8:30PM Resource Fair

This Resource Fair hosts agencies, certificate, college and vocational options, employment services, and many more resources for your transition-aged student. These connections provide insight to a wide range of agencies that serve the transition and adult age span. This in-person resource fair is for students with special needs, their parents/guardians, and professionals.

See the BEST Fair website for more information.
Be sure to check out our Events Page regularly for newly scheduled events.
News You Can Use!
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) issues payments each month to individuals who have incurred a severe disability that has left them unable to work for a year or more.
The Work Without Worry Act could aid about 6,000 individuals with disabilities over the coming decade if it passes.
Millions of people nationwide still must reside in institutions in order to access the health care services they need.
Navigating a school's special education regulations and procedures to ensure children receive necessary services can be demanding, as parents often lack knowledge of applicable laws and the school system.
Planning for individuals with special needs and their families.
Clancy & Associates, Ltd. is Illinois's only full-service special needs planning law firm dedicated to supporting individuals with special needs and their families. Our mission is to help families protect and empower their loved ones with a disability through streamlined, comprehensive planning. We use our innovative full-service approach to both identify opportunities and secure solutions and benefits for our clients at our Firm. We “keep watch” for families so they can attend to the daily priorities of their loved one’s life and leave the legal planning to us.
Connect with us on social media and tell your friends about us!
March 2023 | clancyassociates.com | ​773-929-9000