June '23 News, Updates & Events | |
2023 Parent University Class 6: Corporate Guardianships
June 15, 12-1
| Catch up on Parent U Class 5 Now |
Guardianship...
Now What?
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Dear Clients & Friends,
I hope you and your family are enjoying these warm, sunny days!
I firmly believe that everyone needs some "RRR"--recreation, relaxation and recharging time. And this is especially true for those who care for loved ones with special needs.
I'm recently back from vacation, so I'm all rested up and ready to go. I'm looking forward to our June 15 webinar, and I hope you will be joining us.
In the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team if you need our assistance or support.
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Warmest regards,
Mary Anne Ehlert
P.S. Speaking of recreation...checkout Special Kids Day City Works, hosted by the City of Elmhurst. To be held on June 10, it's especially for kids and adults with special needs--and it sounds like a whole lot of fun!
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2023 Parent University Class 6: "Corporate Guardians and Trustees," Thursday, June 15, 12-1PM CDT |
In our June Parent University class, we will tackle another key component of special needs planning: the role corporate guardians and trustees can play in ensuring a child's future.
For parents of a child with special needs, selecting future replacements to carry on when we no longer can is often a daunting task. What if we have no one who is willing or able to take over? What if we don't want our other children to change their lives in order to take on this great responsibility?
That's where corporate guardians and trustees come in. Our guest speakers will help us learn:
- What corporate guardians and corporate trustees do
- How they provide their valuable services, and
- How to find the right corporate service that fits your family's needs.
For more on this topic, read our related article below!
If you'd like the information, but can’t attend, go ahead and register, and we’ll provide you with a link to the recorded video after the class.
For Zoom security, when you register, you’ll receive an email with a link to class and a passcode—which you’ll be asked to enter when you log-on. (To avoid disruption, we'll close the class at 12:05. If you’re late, you'll be able to watch the video later.)
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Missed Class 5, "Social Programs: Where Are They Hiding?"
View It Free until June 13!
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If you missed last month's Parent University class, "Social Programs: Where Are They Hiding?", you can watch it for free—but only for a short time. The video is available with our compliments until June 13; just use the coupon code 2023pu5social.
Friends are an important part of everyone’s quality of life. Fun and downtime with friends is often the key to our happiness. Where do we find programs and services to help us? How might you start to think about the process to build a social circle for your child, utilizing the technology and other resources available?
To watch it using the Coupon Code:
- Click on the link below to access the class in our store
- Add the class to your cart
- Type in the above code at checkout
- Click “Apply coupon”
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Illinois Medicaid Update
New Asset Limit for Some Illinois Medicaid Recipients
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Effective May 12, 2023, the asset limitation for the Illinois Medicaid Program, Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD) has increased from $2,000 to $17,500. What does this mean for a loved one who receives this Medicaid benefit?
This increase in asset limit applies to individuals who are solely collecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits. That's because these benefits are entitlement programs that essentially have been “purchased” through a work record. These entitlement benefits do not have asset limits to begin with, based on Social Security Administration rules.
However, any individual who collects Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in whole or in-part, meaning they receive both SSI and SSDI, is not eligible for this asset increase. Why? Because SSI is a needs-based program that does have an asset limit of $2000, as set by the Social Security Administration.
For more information, view the asset table here.
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Meet the Protected Tomorrows' Staff
Say Hello to Kim Woodsum, Operations Coordinator!
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Kim Woodsum--who joined Protected Tomorrows in 2022 as an Operations Coordinator--has a background in teaching and a passion for working with children with special needs.
After earning degrees in mathematics and economics from Baylor University, Kim taught 8th/9th grade algebra and 6th grade math as a part of Teach For America, a non-profit that strives to ensure all children have access to excellent, equitable educations.
Kim went on to manage day-to-day operation for a competitive horseback riding stable, where she introduced children with special needs to the joys of horseback riding.
Now, Kim is using her experience and passion to help families reach their future goals. A huge animal lover, she is owned by a dog, Charlie, and two cats, Zoey and Lyla.
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Guardianship...Now What?
Read This Before Our June 15 Webinar!
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Once you’ve become your child’s guardian, there are some important steps to think about.
First, you may want to update your legal documents. It's critical to think about who might take this job if something were to happen to you. Contact your attorney to update your will, adding language to nominate someone to take your place as guardian when you can no longer be here.
Choosing a family member or close friend is not always an option, which is where Corporate Guardians might step in.
The role of the Corporate Guardian is determined by the type of guardianship you chose and could include:
- Decision-making for medical treatment, doctor appointments, residential choices
- Assistance with money management, assets, inheritance (This role also might be filled by a Corporate Trustee of the Special Needs Trust)
- Decision-making for transportation, socialization, recreation, employment
- Assistance with government benefits coordination, etc.
The importance of documenting your child’s daily life is extremely important as you are passing on a big job. Providing a roadmap is a key to success for the next person(s) who will care for your loved one. Whether you leave a handwritten notebook or use computer program documentation, this information will ease the transition.
Be sure to provide information you feel is vital for a guardian or caregiver to have, including:
- How the bills are paid
- Their daily, weekly and monthly routines (i.e., church on Sunday, bowling every Tuesday)
- The names/contact info for their doctors
- If they work or go to a day program – what, where, how they get there, what happens on days off
- Food preferences
- Things that upset him/her – whether certain people, color or places
- Things that they absolutely love – such as a TV show, person, or favorite movie
- Their summer schedule - a special day camp, outdoor family activities, etc. (all very important to a full, healthy life without you)
For more on this topic, register to attend Parent University on June 15.
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This Is Where We Will Be in the Weeks Ahead... |
Upcoming Events, June - July, 2023
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