The Special Needs Planning Guide: How to Prepare for Every Stage

Developed by two financial planning experts who also have family members with special needs, this one-of-a-kind book is an absolute must-have as parents and other caregivers plan for the lasting financial security of their families.

Transforming the financial planning presentations they’ve given to families across the country into a thorough, easy-to-read resource, the well-known authors give parents a chronological guide for each stage from birth to adulthood. Parents will get comprehensive advice and strategies on how to address

• financial factors—including mortgages and other expenses, insurance policies, investments, and savings



• legal factors—such as conducting estate planning, weighing guardianship with less restrictive alternatives, and creating a Special Needs Trust to ensure a child's future



• government factors—identifying and supplementing government benefits, such as residential services, supported employment, and respite care



• family and support factors—such as the family’s values, the parents’ careers, sibling considerations, and contributions of extended family members



• emotional factors—such as dealing with both positive and negative feelings, staying connected with others, and using strong emotions to fuel advocacy

Included are all the tools families need to create an effective action plan for their finances: planning checklists and forms, a helpful glossary of financial terms, “planning pointers” that help readers remember key points, and extended case studies dramatizing other families’ evolving challenges and solutions. Plus, the CD-ROM in the back of the book contains a helpful Financial Planning Timeline and a printable Letter of Intent that lets parents communicate key information, concerns, and desires to future caretakers.

A book parents will use for the rest of their lives, this guide is also a necessary addition to the reference library of every service provider.

John W. Nadworny, M.B.A., CFP®,ChSNC®, Founding Partner, Affinia Financial Group, Burlington, MA (www.affiniafg.com and www.specialneedsplanning.com) John had both his career and family well underway when his third child, James, was born with special needs. This life event immediately and dramatically changed both the course of his plans for the future and his priorities. Planning with families over a span of decades has provided John with an education like no other. This specialized knowledge allows him to understand the personal and financial resources needed to present viable options and possible solutions for families with unique and challenging circumstances. He received industry wide recognition when Investment News chose to feature John and his family as the cover story of their September 2017 issue devoted to planning for individuals with special needs. They also produce a video, A Father First, telling the story of John’s interwoven personal and professional lives. In Massachusetts, John was also a proud participant in the rollout of the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Account. John has earned a Master of Business Administration from Babson College, a Master of Science from Bentley College, and a Bachelor of Science from Bridgewater State College. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association and the Academy of Special Needs Planners.

Cynthia R. Haddad, CFP®,ChSNC® Founding Partner, Affinia Financial Group, Burlington, MA (www.affiniafg.com and www.specialneedsplanning.com) Cynthia grew up watching her parents love and care for her older brother with special needs, while juggling the needs of the whole family. She understands firsthand that lives are complex and with each day comes the possibility of new challenges and successes. Early in her career, she began to view her profession through a personal lens, recognizing the unique nature of the financial planning requirements of families like her own. Cynthia applies her extensive planning skills and empathetic approach to her practice advising individuals, families, and trustees. She understands the importance of taking a pragmatic approach to the planning process and focuses on communication, guidance, and encouragement to keep her clients’ actions aligned with their goals. Cynthia earned a Bachelor of Arts in finance and economics from Simmons University (formerly Simmons College) in Boston. She is a member of the Financial Planning Association and the Academy of Special Needs Planners.

Leo V. Sarkissian has led The Arc of Massachusetts as Executive Director since 1991, after enter ing the disability field in 1976. During Leo’s tenure, The Arc, a statewide advocacy

organization:
1. Insured adult transition services for graduating students (now 1,300 annually).
2. Expanded Family Support or Respite programs to $84.9 million.
3. Changed eligibility regulations so that persons with intellectual or cognitive
disabilities could participate in the Personal Care attendant program.
4. Worked toward passage of several bills, including self-direction, service to
adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental disabilities,
and a registry for staff substantiated for abuse.
5. Established community services for 3,844 individuals through settlements
from two waiting-list cases.
6. Established a strong education-outreach record with publications and website
tools to assist individuals in planning housing, person-centered planning, and
social inclusion. A health equity program reaches five medical or graduate
nursing programs.
7. Saw the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services grow to
become a $2.3 billion state agency.

Prior to his statewide advocacy role, Leo oversaw a multi-service agency that
provided residential, employment/day, personal care assistance, early intervention,
and family support services. He also has served as a clinician with various roles,
including counseling, emergency services, and a team member in the development
of adult community services.