Updated Transistion Workshop March 2018 2

Planning for Your
Loved One with
Special Needs

Scott Adams, CTFA, CHFC, ChSNC, CFP® & Heath Burch, CTFA, ChSNC, CFP®

LLC | Co-Founders – The Special Needs Planning Center

Securities and advisory services offered through CommunityAmerica Financial Solutions, LLC (“CAFS”), Member FINRA/SIPC.
CAFS is a State of Kansas registered investment advisor. Products offered through CAFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or
otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the credit union, and may involve investment risk including
possible loss of principal. CAFS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CommunityAmerica Credit Union. The Special Needs
Planning Center is a division of CommunityAmerica Credit Union offering services through CAS.

Transition Planning

An overview of issues that occur as our
children near age 18 and transition into
adulthood.

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

Where will your Child Go Today?

• If something happens to you today where
would your child go?

• Who would have the authority to help
legally, medically and emotionally?

• What supports are in place to support
your plan?

• Is your plan communicated to your
support Team?

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

Social Security and
Medicaid

1. Application in most cases can be made
beginning at age 18

2. Federal regulation restricts assets for
someone on SSI to $2,000 or less

3. Benefits transition to SSDI and Medicare
when parents retire.

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

Self-Determination
and Advocacy

1. At age 18 your child is an adult and your
access to information will end.

2. To gain access to information (medically,
financially and otherwise) actions are
necessary

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

Guardianship and Alternatives

1. Guardianships
2. Limited Guardianship
3. Durable Powers

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

What is next after Graduation?

• Plan years prior to graduation
• 18-21 programs
• Project Search/ other job prep programs
• Post Grad Studies
• Day Services

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

Employment Options
& Guidelines

Employment Options

• Income
• Social outlet
• Quality of life issues
• Ticket to Work Program
• Training programs/ employment coaches
• Flexibility/control
• Inclusion

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

Living Arrangements

• Group Home – professional vs. private
• Home Living – professional vs. family
• Community Living – apartment, residential
• Goal: transition before parents can no

longer provide care

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

Providing Continued
(supplemental) Support

• The Special Needs Trust
• ABLE Accounts
• Every Family’s Planning is Different
• Eventual Transition

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

The Special Needs Trust

• How does it protect my child’s ability to
benefit from governmental assistance?

• What can it offer in terms of supplemental
resources?

• What are the restrictions?
• Fiduciary Responsibilities

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

Our Planning is Different

Parents Parents Parents Death of Both Parents
Childhood Current Working Years Retirement Years

Time Line

Preparation Time spent raising children, Time spent in retirement

for working preparing for retirement and setting and preparing for long
years. up long term care of children. term care of children.

Time needed to raise and support
the special needs child

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

Eventual Transition

• Do you have a plan to educate future
guardians?

• Is there a written blueprint that guides the
next caregiver?

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

Are you prepared?

• Planning for your child’s future is one of the
most important tasks you will ever be given.

• Special needs planning is unique.
• It is imperative that professionals involved

with this work are knowledgeable in the
field of special needs planning.

Rate 1-10

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

How Do You Begin

• Decide you’re going to start
• Write out your goals as a family
• Ask friends and those who have been

down this road
• Engage professionals when needed

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

Who We Are

• Work directly with hundreds of families
each year in implementing and annually
maintaining their special needs plan

• Serve thousands of families each year
through workshops, family events and
education

• Full service Trust Department which can
serve for the individuals entire lifetime.

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA

Special Needs Planning Center at
CommunityAmerica

• Phone (816) 741-1100
• Website: snpcenter.com
• Scott Adams [email protected]
• Heath Burch [email protected]

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING CENTER AT COMMUNITYAMERICA