Special Needs Planning with Consolidated Planning Group

With Ryan Roberts, CEO of Level-Up Life and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

In this session, we will review SSI & Medicaid, SSDI & Medicare, and Childhood Disability Benefits. We will review when and how to apply, how to be prepared for your appointment, and how to maintain eligibility going forward. You will learn how to maximize benefits for your family. Many of our children with disabilities do not qualify for SSI & Medicaid as minors. The landscape changes when they turn 18. Whether you are already getting benefits and aren't sure if your benefits are maximized or you need guidance on how to get started, this session is for you. Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.

Divorce and child support are legally complex and emotionally challenging issues on their own. When these issues involve children with special needs, parents must be even more mindful to ensure that their children are protected. If these special considerations are not appropriately addressed, it could be disastrous for the children with special needs. Join this webinar as Board Certified Family Law Attorney Mike Day addresses how parents can best protect their children with special needs in the midst of litigating a divorce or child support dispute. In addition, Mary Ann Hughes, Certified Special Needs Divorce Coach and founder of Special Family Transitions, will share tips on being proactive and organized in divorce, to better deal with the overwhelming issues of special needs divorce and more effectively advocate for yourself and your child with a disability.

Is your child struggling with academics? Hating school? Unfocused? Unmotivated? Battling homework? Are you concerned about how your highschooler will develop adulting skills and be successful after high school? All students want to learn and be successful! But many times parents are using the wrong strategies to motivate the struggling and resistant student in their home. If you're not getting the results you want, you are using the wrong strategies. Join this webinar to learn from Learning and Behavior Therapist Elizabeth Sharpe, M.Ed., as she shares strategies that will motivate your student and increase hope for you and your child!

Join this webinar to hear from Special Education Advocate Tenika Combs, Founder of Got Advocacy. She will help you understand the importance of your rights as a parent, the ARD process, and help you get equipped for this school year. Whatever stage your child is in, whether transitioning into special education for the first time or transitioning out of special education, this talk is for you!

In this session, we will review SSI & Medicaid, SSDI & Medicare, and Childhood Disability Benefits. We will review when and how to apply, how to be prepared for your appointment, and how to maintain eligibility going forward. You will learn how to maximize benefits for your family. Many of our children with disabilities do not qualify for SSI & Medicaid as minors. The landscape changes when they turn 18. Whether you are already getting benefits and aren't sure if your benefits are maximized or you need guidance on how to get started, this session is for you. Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.

This presentation provides the tools for the parents to lay the groundwork for developing a High School Transition Plan for College, Employment and Independent Living in Adulthood. With a special focus on the struggles of individuals with ADD or ADHD, Louis Geigerman will answer your questions and provide a vision for the future.

There are many decisions to be made as you prepare for the future of your special needs family member. Living with a disability is often associated with significant costs. That’s why individuals and families should consider contributing to an ABLE account. ABLE accounts offer tax-advantaged savings that can fund disability expenses. Join this webinar to learn why you may want to open your ABLE account before the new year!

An important part of special needs planning is protecting your loved one from financial abuse. A True Link card is a prepaid, reloadable Visa debit card designed to help people who may be at risk of exploitation or financial abuse – including adults with disabilities – manage their money. The True Link Visa Card, that helps families protect the finances and independence of the people they support. Join this webinar to hear from Peter Wall, Director of Fiduciary Services, at True Link financial, as he explains the benefits of this unique debit card including: Help Give Financial Independence and Keep Track of Spending Set Custom Spending Rules Help Prevent Risky Purchases and Cash Withdrawals Help Protect Public Benefits Eligibility Funding from a Special Needs Trust

Join this webinar to hear from Dwayne Graham, Branch Manager at New American Funding, as he tells us about a little-known mortgage product, the Family Opportunity Mortgage. This mortgage is a unique product for families considering purchasing a home for a loved one with a disability. You will learn why this is a better option for your family and how it compares with other lending options.

What is the boundary between them and what do they both do for my family? As a parent of a child with special needs, you know there are many decisions to be made as it relates to the future of your special needs family member. Considerations such as transitioning, future care options, and preservation of benefit eligibility are a few items that require intentional evaluation. Some decisions require legal preparation and some require Planning arrangements. These are especially important if you have a child who may need care for the rest of their life. During this webinar we will be joined by a Attorney Melissa Donovan to fully explain why you do need a Special Needs Attorney AND a Special Needs Planner. Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.

Are you considering a non-traditional school designed for students who have learning concerns and need additional support to meet their needs? Join our panel webinar and hear from several Houston, Texas middle and high schools designed especially for a child with who learns differently.

Consideration of the non-autistic sibling is important as we consider the well-being of a family with a child diagnosed with autism. Sometimes, hidden struggles result in anxiety, anger, and stress. Let's examine the loss of independence, possible embarrassment, and perceived unfairness while also recognizing the abundance of caring, compassionate, and independent character traits of non-autistic children! As a young neurodivergent adult, our speaker, Armando Bernal will present his unique view and offer possible ways to improve your family dynamics.

Do you have a son or daughter with a disability who is transitioning from school to their community? Person Centered Planning may help you! This problem-solving process is especially helpful for someone with a disability who wants to plan for the life they want! Join this webinar to learn from Jeff Garrison-Tate, CEO and Founder of Better Lives as he explains Person Centered Practices and how it can help your family.

Are you frustrated and tired of not seeing the behavior change you want in your child? Do you feel you have tried everything with little or no results? Join us as Elizabeth Sharpe, Learning and Behavior Therapist, sheds light on why traditional methods of disciplining and many traditional therapies do not work on some neurodivergent children.

As a parent of a child with special needs, you know there are many decisions to be made as it relates to the future of your family member with special needs. Considerations such as transitioning, future care options, and preservation of benefit eligibility are a few items that require intentional evaluation. These are especially important if you have a child who may need care for the rest of their life. Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.

As children with special needs transition to the teen and young adult years, their needs change significantly. You can prepare your child and yourselves for a successful transition to independence. Join us to learn the key steps you can take to make the transition as smooth as possible!

Does your child or teen shy away from social situations, avoid talking to others, or worry too much about what their peers think of them? Shyness is common in children, and teens can be self-conscious, but if we allow social anxiety to linger and grow it can have a serious impact on daily life and happiness. Dr. Lindsay Asawa, licensed clinical psychologist and owner of Beautiful Brain Psychological Services, will share information about how social anxiety develops, treatments and strategies that work, and ways that parents can be supportive.

Join this webinar to hear from Special Needs Attorney Coulter as she answers questions from our participants on the uses and limitations of Special Needs Trusts in the context of DAC benefits, including how such trusts can be used differently than for beneficiaries receiving SSI benefits. She will provide overarching principals and distinguish between the various limitations based on programs being received. A partner at Townsend Allala, Coulter & Kludt, Attorney Coulter's own personal journey following an illness which caused blindness gives her a unique perspective as an attorney in the special needs community. You won't want to miss this webinar!

As a parent of a child with special needs, you know there are many decisions to be made as it relates to the future of your special needs family member. What do you do when your loved one cannot care for themselves? Is Guardianship the right answer? We all want our loved ones to live meaningful lives but sometimes they lack the capacity to do so independently. Join Special Needs Attorney Melissa Donovan as she offers guidance on this important topic.

As a parent of a child with special needs, you know there are many decisions to be made as it relates to the future of your family member with special needs. Considerations such as transitioning, future care options, and preservation of benefit eligibility are a few items that require intentional evaluation. These are especially important if you have a child who may need care for the rest of their life. Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.

As a parent of a child with special needs, you know there are many decisions to be made as it relates to the future of your special needs family member. The decision about inheritance and how to fund a disabled child's future after you are gone is very important. A Special Needs Trust is a valuable resource for many families. Join us as Special Needs Attorney Tresi Weeks discusses the Special Needs Trust and how to successfully plan for your future.

There are many decisions to be made as you prepare for the future of your special needs family member. Living with a disability is often associated with significant costs. That’s why families should understand Medicaid Waivers (specifically the Texas IDD Service System), SSI eligibility, and the importance of preserving benefits. Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.

As a parent of a child with special needs, you know there are many decisions to be made as it relates to the future of your family member with special needs. Considerations such as transitioning, future care options, and preservation of benefit eligibility are a few items that require intentional evaluation. These are especially important if you have a child who may need care for the rest of their life. Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.

In this session, we will review SSI & Medicaid, SSDI & Medicare, and Childhood Disability Benefits. We will review when and how to apply, how to be prepared for your appointment, and how to maintain eligibility going forward. You will learn how to maximize benefits for your family. Many of our children with disabilities do not qualify for SSI & Medicaid as minors. The landscape changes when they turn 18. Whether you are already getting benefits and aren't sure if your benefits are maximized or you need guidance on how to get started, this session is for you. Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.

HCS (Home and Community Services) is a Medicaid waiver program that supplies services and support to Texans with an intellectual disability (ID) or a related condition so that they can live in the community. If you have received the HCS waiver, you may have many questions. When you are contacted by LIDDA, you may still be confused. If so, this webinar is for you! There are three types of locations available to you: Own Home Family Home, Host Home, and Residential Living. During this webinar, HCS providers will answer these questions: Which home location is best for me? (Own Home, Host Home, or Residential Living) How long is the wait What are the benefits What the are the services Which waiver is best for me? Texas Home Living waiver or the HCS waiver?

As a parent of a child with ADD/ADHD, you know there are often other associated conditions related to a mental illness. Major depression, PTSD, anorexia nervosa, and suicide attempts are all linked to ADHD. It is important to know what supports, services, and treatment options are available to your family. Our speaker is NAMI Greater Houston Executive Director Angelina Hudson. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Join this webinar to learn how your family can access the many supports, services, and treatment options available through NAMI.

Join this webinar to hear from Kelsey George, Director of School Community Partnership Integration with Special Olympics Texas. Also, enjoy hearing from Special Olympics Texas athlete Shelby Day and parents Kari and Steve. In this webinar you will learn about Special Olympics Texas sports, joining a team, developing skills, and creating friendships. You will hear directly from an athlete and family about their experience and learn why Special Olympics Texas has impacted their lives! You won't want to miss this webinar to learn how you can get involved in your local area!

Do you have a young adult who would like to prepare for a career and learn to become independent? Were you aware that Texas Workforce, through the Vocational Rehabilitation Division, provides Transition Services for students ages 14-22 by focusing on providing Pre-Employment Transition Services such as career exploration and self-advocacy to name a few. Join our webinar to learn more about Vocational Rehabilitation Services and how to get connected.

Is your child struggling with academics? Hating school? Unfocused? Unmotivated? Battling homework? Are you concerned about how your high schooler will develop adulting skills and be successful after high school? All students want to learn and be successful! But many times parents are using the wrong strategies to motivate the struggling and resistant student in their home. You are using the wrong strategies if you're not getting the desired results. Join this webinar to learn from Learning and Behavior Therapist Elizabeth Sharpe, M.Ed., as she shares strategies that will motivate your student and increase hope for you and your child!

Join this webinar with Shana Halvorsen from EmpowerED. Shana is a special education advocate for families and a council member for the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. Additionally she is an executive function coach, former attorney, certified high school teacher, and a neurodiverse Mom of a student with disabilities. If you are new to special education, wondering about your rights, or just confused by all of the acronyms on your IEP, you won't want to miss this webinar!

Once a child with special needs becomes a legal adult, how does a parent continue to protect and make decisions for that child? During this webinar we will be joined by Special Needs Attorney Alison Packard to discuss the guardianship option as well as alternatives to the guardianship such as powers of attorney, supported decision-making agreements, special needs trusts, and representative payees. You will learn factors to consider in determining the best course of action for a disabled adult child and will receive an overview of the guardianship process in Texas, including the timeline, court procedures, options for limited guardianships, requirements for maintaining the guardianship, and tips for a smooth proceeding.

Enjoy this recording as Allison Schaberg, owner of Consolidated Planning Group, helps special needs families understand how to plan for the future.Consolidated Planning Group is a holistic, independent financial planning firm that provides advice, analysis, education, and financial planning services for families with special needs loved ones.

In this session, we will review SSI & Medicaid, SSDI & Medicare, and Childhood Disability Benefits. We will review when and how to apply, how to be prepared for your appointment, and how to maintain eligibility going forward. You will learn how to maximize benefits for your family. Many of our children with disabilities do not qualify for SSI & Medicaid as minors. The landscape changes when they turn 18. Whether you are already getting benefits and aren't sure if your benefits are maximized or you need guidance on how to get started, this session is for you. Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.

There are many decisions to be made as you prepare for the future of your special needs family member. Living with a disability is often associated with significant costs. That’s why families should understand Medicaid Waivers (specifically the Texas IDD Service System), SSI eligibility, and the importance of preserving benefits. Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.

One way to ensure the IEP is preparing your child for the future is to focus on the Vision/Parent Input Statement. What is the Vision/Parent Input Statement? It is a visual picture that describes your child now and in the future. During this webinar, Shemica Allen from Personalized Learning Solutions will share the importance of a parent's input and how to impact the child’s IEP. Participants will also learn the importance of data collection and easy-to-use data collection techniques.

As a parent of a child with special needs, you know there are many decisions to be made as it relates to the future of your family member with special needs. Considerations such as transitioning, future care options, and preservation of benefit eligibility are a few items that require intentional evaluation. These are especially important if you have a child who may need care for the rest of their life. Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.

As a parent of a child with special needs, you know there are many decisions to be made as it relates to the future of your family member with special needs. Considerations such as transitioning, future care options, and preservation of benefit eligibility are a few items that require intentional evaluation. These are especially important if you have a child who may need care for the rest of their life. Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.

Are you worried that your neurodiverse teen may not function well as an adult? Join this webinar with Ana Esparza and Dr. Antonio Pagan from the University of Texas Health Science Center's Launching! to Adulthood Programs. Whether you're seeking information about improving skills related to social, employment, and educational areas of life, or simply trying to understand the part you as a parent can play in the transition to adulthood, this webinar is for you! Let's learn about the Launching! to Adulthood Group's purpose, approach, and opportunity!

If you want to check your child's dental visit off your "to do" list, this webinar is for you! Summer is a great time for a dental visit and we have a solution for a special needs dentist! Enable Dental brings the dentist to you! Join Enable Dental's Community Relations Manager, Melissa Elizabeth Dolan, as she explains the "ins and outs" of in-home dental care! As a special needs mom herself, Melissa completely understands the challenges of having a child with unique abilities and the importance of finding the right dentist. She'll share insights and answer yours questions about creating a positive dental experience for your unique family.

HCS is a Medicaid waiver program that supplies services and supports to Texans with an intellectual disability (ID) or a related condition so that they can live in the community. Join us as Lynsy Meier with Sevita Health explains this waiver program!

Thinking of changing schools and joining a non-traditional school designed for students who have learning concerns and need additional support to meet their needs? Join our panel webinar and hear from several Texas elementary schools designed especially for a child with who learns differently.

Individualized Skills and Socialization (ISS)/Day Programs are Adult Services that offer prevocational services, self-help, and social integration programs for special needs adults. If you are seeking a program for your loved one, join our webinar! Our panel will share their programs that provide activities, social involvement, academic and job skill education, and exercise opportunities. Each of these things helps your loved one’s growth and independence.

If you are worried about your child's behavior, learning, and development, don't miss this webinar! Join Neuro-Educational Consultant Faith Haley as she offers a solution! She will explain that when we look beyond the problems and help treat the underlying causes of learning and/or behavioral difficulties, then life can be different. It's not about how smart they are, it’s about the issues they are facing and what you can do to change things. You’ll hear about the foundations of learning, behavior, physical senses, social behavior, and more. Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, ADD/ADHD, OCD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and so many more, can truly be a thing of the past. It just takes having a daily plan of action to build the necessary pathways in the brain. Tune in and see what the possibilities look like!

A Special Needs Trust is a game-changer for families with special needs. But is it possible to bring a third party to the table rather than relying on a family member to act as administrator? Join this webinar with Special Needs Attorney Alison Packard to learn how a corporation can manage your special needs trust. During this webinar, we will learn: · What are the pros and cons of hiring a corporation to act as my trustee? · What organizations are recommended? · Can I appoint a sibling to act as a trustee and bring in a corporation to manage the trust? · How much does it cost to hire a corporate trustee? · Which is better? Revocable or irrevocable trust?

A Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) waiver helps people with disabilities live and work in their community. This waiver can cover things almost NEVER covered by private insurance, like an attendant that helps someone get out of bed and get dressed, support to help someone get or keep a job, or specialized interventions to help with someone's behaviors in particular situations. Plus, so much more! Join this webinar as Lynsy Meier from Sevita Health shares insight about how to get the most out of your HCS waiver.

In this session, we will review SSI & Medicaid, SSDI & Medicare, and Childhood Disability Benefits. We will review when and how to apply, how to be prepared for your appointment, and how to maintain eligibility going forward. You will learn how to maximize benefits for your family. Many of our children with disabilities do not qualify for SSI & Medicaid as minors. The landscape changes when they turn 18. Whether you are already getting benefits and aren't sure if your benefits are maximized or you need guidance on how to get started, this session is for you. Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.

This insightful presentation from Sally Waterfield of Smart Families explores the impact of technology on children's brain development, highlighting why adolescent brains are uniquely susceptible to online dangers. We'll cover how technology companies use manipulative tactics to create compulsive app users and examine the online risks children face, including cyberbullying, privacy breaches, and exposure to inappropriate content. Join us to understand these challenges and learn strategies to protect and support your child's healthy development in the digital world.

Advocacy is not achieved overnight, especially for parents learning medical advocacy for their loved ones with complex care needs. Did you know you are a part of your child's healthcare team and you have the right to become their biggest advocate? Moreover, your child needs you to be their biggest advocate. Join us as Aubrey Jones, Ph.D. speaks about medical advocacy and palliative care options for your loved one with complex care needs. Dr. Jones is from Courageous Parents Network, a non-profit that helps parents and others caring for children with serious medical conditions

HIPP is an optional State Medicaid program that helps reimburse eligible individuals for their share of an employer-sponsored health insurance premium payment. It is for families with at least one person who gets Medicaid. People enrolled in any Medicaid program, with a few exceptions, are eligible to enroll in HIPP. Join this webinar to hear from Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)!