Special Needs Planning with Consolidated Planning Group

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, 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.

Looking for ideas to keep your child active and engaged while school is out for the summer break? What to do and where to go is often the question, and finding programs suitable for a child’s special needs is challenging. Join our webinar to meet some great folks who offer wonderful resources to help kids of all ability levels have a great summer. Our panel includes: Autism Fitness, Bloom Fitness, Dance Dynamics, Joeys Journeys, Hurley Piano, Able Mindset, Missouri City Parks and Recs

Many families assume that once their graduate leaves the local School District program, there are no further educational options available. Not so! There are several opportunities for further education! Join this panel webinar to hear from multiple college programs available to your high school graduate!

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!

Families who care for a family member with special needs should consider a Special Needs Trust to meet their financial needs and avoid affecting government benefits. However, there are many questions about taxes! This presentation will discuss the two types of Special Needs Trusts and the tax implications from an income, gift, and estate tax perspective. Join CPA Teresa Ferruzzo, for this important discussion. Teresa is a trusted resource for families with special needs as they consider tax preparation and trust taxation.

If you love someone with a disability, you won't want to miss this webinar! Did you know these services are available to you? Peer Support Information and Referral Individual and Systems Advocacy Independent Living Skills Training Transition Join our panel presentation to hear from several independent living centers that offer support, training, and services to your family!

“Summer slide,” or the tendency for kids to forget what they learned the previous school year, can be a struggle for any family but particularly challenging for children who learn differently. We will hear from Shemica Allen from Personalized Learning Solutions during this webinar. She will share some summer strategies and action items (for both parent and child) to help prepare for the upcoming school year. These healthy habits will pay off when school starts again! Tips will include how to transition into the summer, how to work on IEP goals over the summer, how to collect data, and how to organize your child's special education records.

Looking For Continuing Education and Social Options After High School For A Child With Special Needs? Let's Learn About Lifelong Learning With Friends! Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), such as Down syndrome (DS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have few opportunities to pursue higher education opportunities after graduating high school. Lifelong Learning with Friends (LLWF) is a post-secondary education program held on the University of Texas at Austin campus and allows adults with IDD to form age-appropriate friendships and learn sophisticated subjects typical to a neurotypical college program. This program is open to students with higher support needs.Join our webinar to hear from Kaelin Rubenzer, Executive Director for Lifelong Learning with Friends, and learn about this wonderful educational option! Before LLWF, Kaelin worked as a neuroscience researcher at the University of Texas at Austin and as a community attendant for over a dozen people with IDDs. Her most important influence for IDD advocacy is her personal experience with her older brother with ASD.

If you have a family member with a disability, finding the right dental care can be essential to their well-being. Individuals with special needs may require unique considerations and traditional dental settings may not be suitable for everyone; alternative options can be beneficial. Let us help you discover compassionate, specialized dental options tailored to your loved one's needs. Join Dr. William Moore of Enable Dental to discover how in-home dental care provides a comfortable and convenient option for individuals with disabilities. Melissa Elizabeth Dolan will also discuss how Enable Dental's innovative approach redefines the possibilities of dental care for the special needs community.

Have You Heard about the Family Opportunity Mortgage That You Can Get For Your Loved One With A Disability? 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. In addition, we will hear from Cynda Green, Pathways to Adulthood Program - Transition Coordinator, with Texas Parent to Parent. She will share the many steps a family must take as they consider housing options for their loved one including supervision, support, and safety concerns.

Is it time for your child with special needs to start thinking about a job? Are you wondering how to get started? Join this webinar where you will hear from Bloom Consulting, Their employment service program offers supported employment, job placement, job coaching, vocational adjustment training, and environmental work assessments. You will learn what steps you can take to find the right opportunity for your child!

Looking for a college experience for your child with special needs? We have the answers to the questions families have when considering the best option for their student who is neurodiverse or has a disability when transitioning out of high school. The discussion will include answers to these frequently asked questions: What options are available after high school? What makes a college good for students with disabilities? What unique planning considerations should I consider?Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.

Our speaker is Dr. Sehrish Shikarpurya who researches transition practices to increase the post-school outcomes of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This session will introduce the audience to inclusive postsecondary education opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We will discuss the purpose of these programs, where they are located, and their common goals. Additionally, we will review the requirements for some programs in Texas and discuss how caregivers can better prepare their youth for these opportunities.

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. To protect your loved one, the decision about guardianship and alternatives to guardianship are paramount. Join this webinar to learn from Gigit Tyler, Principal Attorney at the law firm of Tyler and Maderer, PLLC, as she shares information about planning for your family's future.

There are a lot of misconceptions about autism, particularly when it comes to children on the spectrum. Join this webinar to hear from Armando Bernal from Autism International as he shares his point of view as an individual with autism and offers helpful advice for those who love a child with autism. Take this time to "walk through Armando's shoes" as he explains how we can improve our interaction with children on the spectrum!

People can receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a Title II disability benefit, Medicaid and Medicare all at the same time. These people are called Concurrent Beneficiaries by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Concurrent Beneficiaries need to be aware of the rules around earned income and retaining healthcare for both programs when they go to work. This webinar will explain how and why someone becomes a Concurrent Beneficiary. We’ll cover the “work incentive” programs for SSI and Title II that can be used to continue to receive the monthly cash benefit when working and how the two programs interact….and don’t interact with each other. You’ll learn where to get free assistance so you can better understand what happens to SSI and Medicaid and Title II and Medicare when your child is actively looking for work, or is already working.

Sleep can be a big challenge for people with ADHD who have brains that can't tolerate boredom, bodies that are fidgety and restless, and thoughts that are hard to turn off. Unfortunately, sleep struggles often exacerbate ADHD symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity, and emotion dysregulation. Join us as Clinical Psychologist Lindsay Asawa speaks about the unique sleep challenges faced by those with ADHD, the reasons behind those challenges, and strategies that may help.

So your child has just been diagnosed with a disability...now what? Join this webinar as Special Education Attorney Jennifer Lynn Swanson and Special Needs Planner Michelle Morris help you prepare for the new reality. There are many decisions to be made especially if you have a child who may need care for the rest of their life.

Come and learn how to increase success in your home education program or how to supplement traditional education for learners who struggle with focus, attention, engagement and/or boredom. Join Learning and Behavior Therapist and Homeschooling Coach, Elizabeth Sharpe, M.Ed. as she discusses the myths associated with challenging learners and the success strategies needed to support unique learners.

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 about your child running away or getting lost? About not being about not being able to reach them by phone? About not knowing when they are having a medical event? About needing to guide their behavior? All these situations describe the terrifying moment your loved one needs your supervision. Scott Carpenter, Co-founder of BoundaryCare, has a solution. He will discuss the usefulness of wearables for supporting vulnerable individuals. In particular, he will show how cutting-edge technologies can provide far greater support than the "point solutions" of the past. Whether the problem is location monitoring, fall detection, monitoring of complex health issues, or providing behavioral support, unobtrusive wearables can be a boon for caregivers and those they support, providing safety and independence.

Do you love someone with a mental illness? NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) envisions a healing community where all persons affected by mental illness can experience resiliency on the road to wellness. They provide support for those living with a mental illness and their family members. Our speaker is NAMI Greater Houston Executive Director Angelina Hudson. She believes that we can only make decisions with the information available. During this discussion, you will hear her personal story of parenting a son diagnosed with a brain disorder at age 4 and her expert advice about building a better life while living with a loved one with a mental illness.

Do you worry about your college or career-capable student launching into adulthood while pursuing their goals? College Living Experience (CLE) provides wrap-around support to post-secondary young adults with exceptionalities. If your child wants to pursue a college education or a career while living independently and has a learning difference or a diagnosis of ADHD, ASD, NVLD, or twice-exceptional, this webinar is for you!

Do you care for a loved one with a disability? Caregiving can be stressful, exhausting, and draining both on your mental and physical health. Join Christy Pickrell, board member of Gimme A Break, mom of a child with a disability, and caregiver as she shares information to promote caregiver wellness. Learn more about Gimme A Break, a nonprofit organization that offers caregiver education, resources, and community for all caregivers including families who love someone with a disability.

Dr. Temple Grandin has been named one of the top 100 most influential people in the world! Her life’s work has been to understand her own autistic mind, and to share that knowledge with the world, aiding in the treatment of individuals with the condition. During this webinar, Dr. Temple Grandin answered questions submitted by you! Join us to hear from Distinguished Professor at Colorado State University Dr. Grandin as she provides important insight for our families with special needs.

There are so many demands on our time and energy as a parent of a child with a disability. How can we nurture ourselves, our marriage, and other relationships, and still effectively support our kids? Learn valuable insights from Certified Special Needs Divorce Coach Mary Ann Hughes of Special Family Transitions, so you and your family can thrive.

It is vitally important to provide the necessary support for your child without accidentally setting up unwanted limitations or exclusions. Your special needs attorney can help you properly plan for the future of your child with special needs. Join this webinar to learn how to navigate the complex road toward an optimal will, trust, and guardianship for your family. Attorney Rachel Dickison will help you learn how to avoid problems and achieve peace of mind.

Does your child struggle with anxiety, worry, and fear? Anxiety is a common problem in children and particularly in those with ADHD brains. It can impact sleep, lead to behavior issues, make school days difficult, and interfere with the enjoyment of just being a kid. Join us to learn from Dr. Lindsay Asawa, a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of Missouri City Family Counseling, what causes anxiety in children, why it can be more common in those with ADHD, and helpful parenting tips to manage anxiety and raise calmer and happier children!

There can be a considerable learning curve for parents who have helped support and advocate for their children for 18 years before being "kicked out" of the process. This is especially true for a parent of a student who learns differently. The college views your child as a capable young adult, but how do you learn to be their college parent? This session focuses on how parents can support their students as they become self-reliant and college-ready. Topics include: teaching teens to understand new responsibilities; preparing students for college academics; guiding their self-sufficient problem-solving; helping prepare them to seek disability accommodations; and supporting them as they build resilience after challenges and setbacks. Our speaker, Dr. Andrea Malkin Brenner. speaks about the transition to college during this important Podcast.

In this webinar, attendees will learn about two programs offered by the Social Security Administration for disabled people: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Join this webinar to learn from Gigit Tyler and Carly Maderer, Principal Attorneys at the law firm of Tyler and Maderer, PLLC, as they educate listeners on how to qualify, how to apply, and how to maintain eligibility (depending on which program is awarded). They will also explain how the two programs fit into your Estate Plan and why establishing a trust may be necessary to protect your government benefits.

Summer camp is a great option for both youth and adults with disabilities. Many camps in Texas focus on supporting adults with IDD, medical concerns, learning challenges, and other cognitive disabilities. Consolidated Planning Group brings a panel presentation to you with representatives from various summer camp organizations that promote growth and fun in an environment committed to safety. Join us to learn the options available to your family!

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!

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 presentation, you will get an in-depth overview of potential online dangers, trends, hidden features of popular social media apps, and a brief overview of gaming platforms, as well as long-term consequences and laws surrounding the internet and monitoring tools to assist you in keeping your students safe while use technology.

It's never too early (or late!) to start preparing your child with autism, ADHD, or similar disability for transitioning to adulthood. Join this webinar to hear from Behavior Analyst Brandi Timmons as she talks about common barriers to independence and strategies to alleviate those barriers.

Join this webinar to learn from Special Needs Attorney Julia Hayes as she outlines why your family may need Incapacity Planning. She will share the legal documents that must be in place before your loved one becomes incapacitated. You will appreciate this sensitive presentation to an important but difficult discussion.

So your child has just been diagnosed with a disability...now what? Join this webinar to help you prepare for the new reality. Explore the "ABCs" of school, therapy, and care. Also, learn what should be considered as it relates to financial arrangements. There are many decisions to be made especially if you have a child who may need care for the rest of their life. During this Podcast, we will learn from Special Education Attorney Jennifer Lynn Swanson.

Dr. Temple Grandin has been named one of the top 100 most influential people in the world! An outspoken proponent of autism rights and famous for the humane treatment of livestock for slaughter, she is passionate about helping families with special needs. During this webinar, Dr. Temple Grandin will discuss her book which forever changed how the world understands autism, "Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions." Join us to hear from Distinguished Professor at Colorado State University Dr. Grandin as she proposes new approaches to educating, parenting, employing, and collaborating with visual thinkers.

If your child has a speech delay, you may worry that it is a speech deficit or something bigger like autism. Delayed speech can be a sign of autism, but not all children with speech delays have autism. Join Speech Therapist Morgan Cadena from Mojo Speech as she outlines the differences and potential treatment options for your child.

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, 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 attention, focus, and emotional regulation struggles? Are you seeking a way to address these issues in a more natural way? Our speaker is Dr. Matt Davis, a Texas Licensed Chiropractor with extensive training and specialized focus in prenatal and pediatric care. During this webinar, Dr. Matt will share his wisdom about the central nervous system and its impact on children with ADD and ADHD.Do you want to know the root cause of ADD and ADHD? Are you looking for a natural way to move forward? Listen in for help, hope, and answers!”

Families who care for a family member with special needs should consider a Special Needs Trust to meet their financial needs and avoid affecting government benefits. However, there are many questions about taxes! This presentation will discuss the two types of Special Needs Trusts and the tax implications from an income, gift, and estate tax perspective. Join CPA Teresa Ferruzzo, for this important discussion. Teresa is a trusted resource for families with special needs as they consider tax preparation and trust taxation.

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.

If your child has a 504/IEP plan, you won't want to miss this webinar! Karen Mayer Cunningham, Founder and CEO of Special Education Academy, will share how to effectively partner with your child's school when grappling with a 504/IEP team. Karen believes it is the obligation, the responsibility, and the duty of the school districts to find, locate, and assess children with suspected disabilities who may need special education services. Karen has helped many families fight for their child with special needs. Join this webinar to learn the information needed to successfully navigate the special education system.

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 financial arrangements. These are especially important if you have a child who may need care for the rest of their life. Join us as Special Needs Financial Planner Michelle Morris and Special Needs Attorney Tresi Weeks explain how to successfully plan for your future.

Are You Ready For A Crisis? Making Sure You're Prepared in the Planning Process for Individuals with a Disability and Aging Family Members We all think we have more time to plan for our aging loved ones or ourselves! You never know when someone may have a stroke, a fall, or a sudden illness. Often, adult kids get thrust into the role of family caregiver without ever having had a family meeting to discuss the "what and when" concerns of aging. This issue is even more significant when there is a family member with special needs. This presentation will review considerations for you, your aging parents, and your children. Annalee Kruger from Care Right, Inc., will discuss proactive decision-making and aging planning for your whole family. You will learn about the Grab and Go Binder solution! Whether you have a child with special needs or an older parent.

If you have a child who has autism, you may have many questions and concerns about their future. As a young neurodivergent adult, our speaker, Armando Bernal, wants to share his story and give you a window into the fantastic potential available to many neurodivergent individuals. You will enjoy hearing about his diagnosis at the age of 3, his treatment, the challenges he faced as a child, and his view of growing up with autism. This presentation will give you hope and a vision for what may be the story of your child!

An Informative Webinar About The Unique Programs Designed To Build Skills, Education, And Independence Offered To Individuals With IDD And Autism In Our Community. If you live near the greater Houston area, you will want to learn about The Center For Pursuit. Their mission says it all: To promote the pursuit of choice, growth, and independence for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, or similar conditions. The Center offers services from start to finish for special needs families. From day programs, and camps, to residential, educational, and memory care, they have it all! Of special interest, you will want to hear about their Employment Assistance and a full-blown Employment Services Department!

Being able to set and maintain boundaries helps us have healthy and safe relationships and it prevents abuse and exploitation. Learning to set boundaries is a necessary skill for anyone, but especially for neurodivergent individuals. If you have a teenager with unique learning needs, you will enjoy this presentation by Behavior Analyst Tricia Lund from Summit Behavior Consulting. Tricia will cover why it is difficult for neurodivergent individuals to set boundaries, what skills need to be specifically taught, and how parents/caregivers can support their child as they learn to have healthy relationships through boundary setting. Join us as Tricia Lund speaks about the unique social and behavioral challenges faced by those with IDD, autism, ADHD, and other challenges, the reasons behind those challenges, and strategies that may help.

You agree that planning is important for your family. But it is easy to procrastinate when planning for the future. Join this webinar to learn who you should have on your team and how to get started (or pick up where you left off)! During this webinar, we will hear from Special Needs Planner Allison Schaberg, Special Needs and Elder Law Attorney Christina Lesher, and Family Care Planner Annalee Kruger as they fully explain why you do need an estate plan, financial plan, and a family care plan. While this webinar is for any family, it is specially designed for the family with a loved one with special needs or an aging family member. Join us as we explain how to successfully plan for your future.