President's Message: Finding Inspiration and Hope in Arizona
2024 Parent University Class 4: "We All Need a Vacation! Is It Possible to Make That Happen?" - April 18
Catch Up on 2024 Parent University Class 3: "Our Toolbox is Full! What Tool Do We Use When?"
In the News: Planning for Special Needs Children During Divorce
Summer's Nearly Here! Camp and Vacation Planning Tips
Upcoming Events
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New Look, But the Same Protected Tomorrows
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We're changing up the look of our newsletter, but it's still full of all the information our Protected Tomorrows community needs. Stay tuned for even more improvements coming to our online experience, and thank you for your continued support!
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While working in Arizona the past few months, I was privileged to learn about Autism Life and Living Inc. (ALL) and the impact it is having on special needs communities in the Grand Canyon State.
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Like Protected Tomorrows and many organizations supporting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ALL was born of a mother’s concern for her two sons with autism and how they would live once she was no longer around to care for them. Its mission is to empower young adults ages 13 and up with autism by providing programs that promote inclusion, independence, socialization and well-being.
ALL is taking an innovative approach to supportive housing and community-building with a project called Oak Tree Ranch, which they hope to build in North Phoenix.
It's still in the fund-raising stage, but the plan calls for sale and rental units at a variety of price points, recreational activities, offices, gym, retailers and a courtyard. Neurodiverse and neurotypical residents will be welcome.
What a wonderful vision for the future. Especially during Autism Acceptance Month, I feel inspired by the creativity and determination of these folks in Arizona, and I hope Oak Tree Ranch becomes a reality.
Yours truly,
Mary Anne Ehlert
President, Protected Tomorrows
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"We All Need a Vacation! Is It Possible to Make That Happen?"
"Yes!"
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Parent University Class 4
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Let’s meet some service providers that assist in vacation planning when you have a family member with unique needs. We’ll hear from some families who had successful and amazing experiences. Now is a great time to start researching and finding out what will work for your family.
If you'd like the information, but can’t attend, 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 the 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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Watch FREE Until April 15
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"Our Toolbox is Full! What Tool Do We Use When? It's So Confusing!"
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If you missed our March Parents University class, it's available for free using coupon code 2024pu3toolbox until April 15.
We hear from so many families about how they are confused as to how to use many tools we now have for planning for our loved one. Some of the tools we have are Third-Party Special Needs Trusts, First-Party Special Needs Trusts, SSI, SSDI, DAC, ABLE accounts, and work income. What tool to use when? Whom to call? What to pay for? When to pay for it? What account to use? Who needs to know this? Parents, guardians, future guardians, the person with a disability, let’s talk about how to make it SIMPLE.
To watch it using the coupon code:
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- Click on the link below to access the class in our store
- Add the class to your cart
- Type in the coupon code 2024pu3toolbox at checkout
- Click “Apply coupon”
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Financial Advisors Need to Take Care When Planning for Special Needs Children During Divorce
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CPA professionals would do well by their clients to ascertain whether there are any children with disabilities who will need support – financial, residential, medical – long after the parents have retired or passed away.
It’s a multistep process to help these parents plan for a future in which they are no longer around. Now, layer a divorce into the situation and suddenly it becomes much more complicated.
Divorces come in many forms: contested and uncontested, cordial and discordant. The parents may not only move into different houses, they may move to different cities or states. Custody may be shared, or one parent may be designated the custodial parent.
Knowing how to handle financial advising for families with special needs at the onset of a divorce will help to ensure that the future of the family member with special needs is considered in all aspects of the negotiations, including child support, alimony, property divisions and custodial decisions, including guardianship.
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Summertime and Vacation Resources for Special-Needs Families
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Summer will be here before you know it. Get ready for travel and fun by planning ahead. Whether it’s summer camp, backyard fun or travel, let’s get going!
In advance of our April 18 Parents University session on vacations, check out some of these resources.
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Looking for summer activities, camps and opportunities for special-needs individuals or families? Check out this listing of summer camps that can be searched by state, locality or disability type. There are even sibling camps!
Very Special Camps>>>
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Planning to fly? Be sure to mention Airline Code DPNA when booking your trip. It will alert the airline that you have a disabled passenger with intellectual or developmental disabilities needing assistance. Or if you are a wheelchair user, include code SSR (Special Service Request) and need additional assistance.
More Helpful Tips>>>
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View Our Upcoming Events!
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Visit our website to learn more about how you can attend an upcoming event. We have so much to look forward to in 2024, and we can't wait to see you!
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