OUR WORKSHOPS

We are proud to offer complimentary presentations to parents, professionals and organizations. Please contact us to schedule a talk for your group!

WORKSHOPS

Special Needs Planning: Key Tools and Strategies Every Parent Should Know

This presentation will begin with a brief overview of The Special Needs Planning Timeline and the Five Factors of Special Needs Planning. It will be customized to focus upon the most appropriate tools and strategies for the timeline stage of the audience.  

  • How each family’s unique circumstances drive their planning decisions and determining your family's financial framework. 
  • Protecting eligibility for and maximizing government benefits. 
  • Key financial planning tools, including: 
    • savings tools (including ABLE)
    • medical savings accounts 
    • insurance products
  • Tax and estate planning strategies: 
    • gifting options and strategies
    • special needs trusts. 

This presentation is based upon principles found in our new book, The Special Needs Planning Guide, Second Edition.

 

Special Needs Planning Guide, 2nd Edition

 

Planning for TWO Generations

 

Planning for TWO Generations is our signature presentation and provides an overview of the key elements and actions involved in Special Needs Financial Planning. Included are an introduction to:

  • The Special Needs Planning Timeline. The  Timeline highlights the key planning pressure points  (times when your child's services, supports and/or benefits will change) and helps to keep your priorities and actions focused on the most important decisions at the time.
  • The Five Factors of Special Needs Planning -Family and support, emotional, financial , legal and government benefits. 
  • Determining the financial framework of personal resources and government benefits you will use to build your plan.
  • Key tools and strategies including the ABLE account,  special needs trusts, retirement accounts and insurance. 
  • Tips about housing - the negotiables and non-negotiables. 
Building a Team to Carry On -preparing for the days when you are no longer here or are unable to do all that you do to support your child.  

SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP 

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Specialized presentations

If there is a specific area of planning you would like to focus upon, we often customize  our presentations.  

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The ABLE Account
The ABLE Account

While there are eligibility requirements and restrictions on the account,  the ABLE account offers a tax-advantaged way to save money without impacting eligibility for means-tested government benefits (e.g. SSI, Medicaid).

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Team to Carry On
Team to Carry On

A parent is irreplaceable but you can build a team of family, friends, professionals and community to support your child when you are gone or can no longer do all you do. 

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The Housing Workshop
The Housing Workshop

The Housing Workshop is a step by step guide to planning for your child when it is time to move out.  It will focus upon combining personal resources and government benefits to create a home for your loved one. 

SPEAKERS

Our experts

We love sharing all we have learned with families.
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Alexandria Dunn Advisor, James' sister
Alexandria Dunn Advisor, James' sister
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Cynthia Haddad Advisor, Author, Ron's sister
Cynthia Haddad Advisor, Author, Ron's sister
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john Nadworny advisor, #1 DAD
john Nadworny advisor, #1 DAD
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH

Our commitment to organizations

Amongst our proudest accomplishments is our decades long commitment to educational outreach and advocacy on behalf of the disability community.  Listed below are organizations to whom we have presented. 

 
AAIDD Annual Conference
Academy of Special Needs Planners (New Orleans, LA) 
ALS Talk for National Family Caregiver Month
Americans with Disabilities Act 20th Anniversary Celebration 
Arc of South Shore
Arc's 60th Anniversary Nation Convention 
Association for Community Living
 Belmont Special Education Advisory Council (BSEAC)
Belmont SPED PAC
Boston Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Day 200
Building A Home (Brandeis University) 
Cape Cod Hospital (Hyannis) 
Childrens Hospital Waltham 
Converge Worship Center (Trinity Baptist Church Brockton)
 Cooperative Human Services 
Dana-Farber Cancer institute
 Department of Developmental Services(DDS)
Direct Support Conference (DSP)
Exploring Residential Planning Options: What's out there?
Family Leadership Series MFOFC (2) 
Federal Bar Association Boston 
Federation for Children with Special Needs (2)
Financial Planning Association (National)
Financial Planning Association of New Jersey 
Financial Planning for Families
Childrens Hospital Boston 
Financial Spring Cleaning Made Easy
 Greater Waltham ARC
 Groton Dunstable Regional School District
 Groton Dunstable SEPAC
 Harvard University Work/Life Resources
 Harvard-Affiliated Hospitals
 Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston
 John C. Corrigan Mental Health Center (Fall River) 
LABBB Collaborative
 Lawler Library (New Bedford) 
Life After Diagnosis Conference 
Lifelinks Family Support Center 
Massachusetts Bar Association/ MBA CLE (2) 
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE
 Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (3)
 Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium
 Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change 
Massachusetts Sibling Support Network
 Melmark 
National Down Syndrome Congress 
National Parents of Galactosemic Children (PGC Inc.) 
Needham PAC
Northbridge PAC
 Northeast ARC 
Northshore ARC
 Perkins School for the Blind (Watertown) 
Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce (Plymouth) 
Residential Planning - Guardianship and Advocacy
 Riverside Community Care 
Sage Crossing Foundation Fundraiser (National Heritage Museum)
 Society of Financial Service Professionals, Boston Chapter 
Special Needs Planning for Families 
Special Needs Planning Guide Book Signing Event 
Specialized Housing 
Stone Soup Conference 
TASH Conference 
Taunton Library (Taunton) 
Tewksbury Public Library Lifelinks Presentation
 Wayside Youth & Family Support Network 
Wilmington SEPAC
 
 

Entities listed above are not affiliated with Affinia Financial, and inclusion does not represent an endorsement or favorable experience with any advisor.

Check out our workshop calendar now!