Dream Based Transition Alliance
Newsletter
May 2003
We don’t plan to fail but we often fail to plan.
WILLS AND TRUSTS
Are you ready to head out fishing? The April 3rd meeting began with a bit of “heads up” on some great Alaskan fishing spots. Alex Gimarc and his son, Grant Bradley, who is confined to a wheelchair, have tested the waters of many of the sites and shared with us some of their favorites.
Many are wheelchair accessible. If you are interested in receiving the list just give me a call. Thank you Alex and Grant!
When should you start thinking about estate planning for your special needs child? Now! Are there special considerations to be aware of? Yes! Attorney, Richard Thwaite, spoke to us about wills and trusts. A will conveys your wishes as to how assets are to be distributed when you die. It is important that your will is well-drafted and includes everything you wish to happen. Some considerations are: guardians, trusts, line of beneficiaries and, deciding who is to be your personal representative (executor). There are many types of trusts, but the Supplemental Needs Trust is one that will provide for the needs of a disabled individual to the extent that other benefits do not. In other words, this trust is intended to supplement needs beyond what other benefits provide. When you decide to have a will drawn up it is best to seek legal advise, especially because of the issues surrounding a disability. This is not the time to be “doing your own will”.
Patti Saunders of the Arc spoke specifically about Arctrust I, the “donor trust”. This is a special needs trust provided by the Arc Foundation. While variations may arise, normally, a family or individual will transfer an asset (usually an amount of cash or insurance policy) into the program. The Foundation will invest this asset responsibly. Upon request, the income is distributed through The Arc to a “representative payee” who will then purchase goods and services for the individual beneficiary. The Arc may also act as the “representative payee”. Your childs public benefits (SSI, Medicaid) are not jeopardized.
The Arctrust II is a “personal plan trust” that allows a person with a disability to put his/her own money into a special needs trust to be available for future needs. These might include the Alaska Permanent Fund dividends, native corporation dividends, insurance or litigation settlements or retroactive payments from Social Security.
What a topic to fit into a nutshell! Of course,there is much more to know. Both speakers were extremely informative, patient with questions,and certainly generous with their time. Many, many thanks to Richard Thwaites and Patti Saunders.
Richard Thwaites, 277-1595
Patti Saunders, 277-6677
Parents in Transition
MAY 1, 2003 • 7pm • king career center, ROOM 1
2650 E Northern lights blvd
TRANSITION ON THE WEB
Where do you search for good information on the web? Find out which sites are the most useful and up to date. Join speakers Steve Fleischman and David Maas for our last meeting of the school year!
ALSO! We will soon be planning next years Parents In Transition meetings. Please bring your ideas and suggestions to this last meeting of the school year…
As always, the young adults are encouraged to attend and participate in the meeting.
Call Jo Maas 742-3874 for information
Check Us Out!
Dream Base Transition Alliance/Parents in Transition has plenty of resource materials, books, and videos about transition. If we don’t have exactly what you are looking for you may search the Special Education Parent Resource Center shelves. Our office is housed in their library!
Here are three videos I would reccomend that you see:
In the Driver’s Seat, Winning Negotiation Strategies for Families
Learn how to frame and negotiate meetings with school personnel. Promotes partnership between school and families.
Hey, it’s My Life!
Very upbeat and has definate appeal to young adults. Discover what a positive experience IEP and other transition meetings can be when the student and parent are leading the team.
Becoming a Guardian or Conservator
An excellent video produced by the Alaska State Association for Guardianship and Advocacy. A step by step walk through the process.
So stop by our office in the Boniface Mall
5530 E Northern Lights, Suite 8
or Call 742-3874
Congratulations To All The Graduates!
High School, ACE Program, ACT Program
We are so proud of each one of you!
SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER
Parents in Transition will have the last meeting of this school year on May 1st. We will start our engines up again in September. Thank you to all of the speakers who have donated time and expertise. You are the ones who keep us up to date and informed. To the families who have attended and participated in discussion, we hope to see you all back again in the Fall! Our Young Adults are great and frequently add another perspective to things. To Sue Doherty and all the great teacher consultants — your help and support have made such a difference! Jan Bufford and David Floyd, teachers at Service High School, have been to so many meetings and even take notes! We truly appreciate your interestand enthusiasm. Brenda Ross, Janet Lacey and Eudora Fraczek have put up with me for months — they certainly deserve more jelly beans! Our volunteers are the absolute greatest!!! Thanks for being so hard working and willing… Have a wonderful summer everyone.
NEXT YEAR!
Help plan next school years Parents in Transition meetings. Please come to May’s meeting with your ideas and suggestions! Here are the topics we covered this year. What else would you like more information about?
- Transition in the Schools
- Panel discussion with Dream Base Transition Alliance folks on transition
- Guardianship
- SSI
- DMHDD (Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities)
- Employment
- Housing
- Wills and Trusts
Dream Based Transition Aliance/Parents in Transition
5530 E Northern Lights Blvd, Suite 8 In the Special Education Parents Resource Center
Anchorage, AK 99508 • 742-3874 • dbta@customcpu.com
Please call or e-mail Jo Maas if you would like:
- A Transition Guide
- Information or agency referral
- Person Centered Planning information or scheduling
- Have comments or suggestions for the newsletter
- Want to volunteer
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