The Messenger
A Newsletter From The Arc Dane County
Supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 65 years
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The will to succeed is important,
but what's more important is the will to prepare.
~ Bobby Knight
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What's Happening at The Arc Dane County
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Future Planning
Planning for the future can seem scary and uncertain. We want you to be as prepared as possible for what lies ahead.
The Arc Center for Future Planning in Washington, DC, The Arc Dane County, and The Arc Wisconsin are excited to share information and resources to help you plan for the life long needs of your loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Center for Future Planning aims to support and encourage adults with I/DD and their families to plan for the future. The Center provides reliable information and assistance to individuals with I/DD, their family members and friends, professionals who support them and other members of the community on areas such as person-centered planning, decision-making, housing options, and financial planning. Click here to visit our page on future planning. You will find helpful links and resources.
We will continue to share Future Planning Information in upcoming editions of The Messenger. Please share your questions with us! If you have questions, others do too. Email [email protected] and we will work to find answers and share information.
If would like a Future Planning Overview presented to your group, please email us at
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Future Planning: One Step at a Time
Taking the first step towards future planning is important. And it's not quite as scary as you may think.
The first step is to gather some basic information. In the
About Me section, you will gather general, family, and professional contact information alongside a few personal details. This section should be relatively simple.
You can easily go through the process online in an interactive and user friendly format. Or, you can start by printing a paper copy.
Click here for a printable About Me worksheet You can find more information on Future Planning by clicking here and visiting our website.
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Some Do's and Don'ts for Grandparents
Planning for a Loved One with Special Needs
Do's:
- Consult with trained financial, legal and tax professionals with expertise in special needs estate planning.
- Make provisions for your grandchild(ren) with special needs. Leave money to their special needs trust. When properly drafted, a funded special needs trust will not result in the loss of government benefits.
- Coordinate all planning with your grandchild(ren)'s caregivers and relatives. Notify them when you plan for grandchild(ren).
- Leave life insurance and annuity death benefits to the individual's special needs trust. The special needs trust can be named as the policy beneficiary. When the insured or annuitant dies, the death benefit is paid to the special needs trust.
Don'ts:
- Disinherit your grandchild(ren) who have a disability. Money can be left to a properly drawn special needs trust.
- Give money to your grandchild(ren) with a disability under UGMA or UTMA (Uniform Gift or Transfer To Minors Act). Money automatically belongs to the child(ren) upon reaching legal age - government benefits can be lost!
- Leave money to a grandchild with special needs through a will. Money left will be a countable asset of the individual - and may cause the loss of government benefits.
- Leave money to a poorly set up trust. Money left in an improperly drafted trust can result in the loss of government benefits.
- Leave money to relatives to "keep or hold" for the individual with special needs. The money can be attached to a lawsuit, divorce, liability claim or other judgment against the relative.
Due to the complexity of federal and state laws, you may require a specially trained professional who can work with your other advisers to help you plan for the future of your dependent with special needs.
Click here for help finding a professional.
Click here to visit our page on future planning.
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Board Member Barb Hughes and Award Winner State Representative Lisa Subeck
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Annual Awards Banquet
It was an amazing night celebrating the achievements of those who advocate for our community of people with disabilities. A very special thank you to those who helped make The Arc Dane County's Annual Awards Banquet possible:
- The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club
- Mitch Henck our Master of Ceremonies
- Richardo Miguel Vasquez, the Marimba Man, as entertainment
- Debbie Borth, photographer - Camera Kisses
Click here to see photos from the celebration.
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2018 Everybody's Golf Tourney - Registration is OPEN
The Arc Dane County and our volunteer planning committee are busy planning this year's golf outing. Won't you join us? Online registration is now open.
The 2018 Everybody's Golf Tourney
Friday, September 14th
The Meadows of Sixmile Creek, Waunakee
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Autism - Autism Prevalence Estimates Increase by Nearly 16%
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released
new data showing that the estimated prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continues to rise. The new rate of 1 in 59 is based on data collected in 2014 and reflects a nearly 16% increase from two years ago; CDC data from 2012 showed that an estimated 1 in 68 children had ASD. Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc,
stated: "The new prevalence rates underscore the need to reauthorize the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act which expires next year. This law is the primary vehicle for federal funding for surveillance, autism research, screening and diagnostic services, and professional training." Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), one of the lead sponsors of the
Autism CARES Act issued this statement .
Read The Arc's statement on the new prevalence rates .
Education - New Civil Rights Data Show Continuing Disparities for Students with Disabilities
On April 24, the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released data it collected during the 2015-2016 school year. These data were collected from 17,300 public school districts and 96,400 public schools and education programs across the country. The report contains data on school and district characteristics, discipline, criminal offenses, harassment and bullying, restraint and seclusion, single-sex interscholastic athletics, early childhood education, pathways to college and career, school finance, and teachers and other personnel. The data show that there continue to be disparities in discipline for students of color and students with disabilities. Notable findings for students with disabilities in grades K-12 include disproportionate rates of arrest and referral to law enforcement, suspension, and restraint and seclusion. While students with disabilities served by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are 12% of enrolled students, they are 28% of students arrested or referred to law enforcement, 26% of students receiving out-of-school suspensions, 24% of expelled students, 71% of students restrained, and 66% of students subjected to seclusion. Read OCR's press release here.
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Your membership in The Arc Dane County helps us continue to offer up to date advocacy, education, and social activities.
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The Arc Dane County | (608) 833-1199
6602 Grand Teton Plaza | Madison, WI 53719
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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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