The Plan for Special Needs Trusts – Details, episodes & analysis

James Day Keith is a multi-sport Special Olympics athlete, actor, and passionate advocate for inclusion who starred in the movie Champions.  He promotes friendship, acceptance, and belonging for people of all abilities, shares his story with schools and organizations, and serves as an ambassador for Special Olympics Massachusetts and Best Buddies. He is recognized for his leadership, fitness, and dedication to inspiring others to reach their full potential. He also works as a swim instructor, teaching confidence and a love for fitness to the next generation. 

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Bob Scannell has been the leader of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester (BGCD) for the past 38 years.  BGCD serves over 4,000 youth each year and have over 202 programs and activities. Their mission is to always welcome and connect young people and families to opportunities that embrace diversity, nurture growth, and inspire success. 

As part of the Boston Inclusion Network for Disabilities (BIND), the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester believes that inclusion is more than placement, it’s being part of what everyone else is doing, being welcomed and embraced as a person – and a Club member – who belongs. On any given day, you will find children of all abilities participating in various activities at BGCD; whether it is learning to shoot a basketball, getting homework help or participating in early education. BGCD encourages parents of children with unique needs to set up a meeting and tour with their Inclusion Coordinator to discuss program opportunities for their child.

The post Bob Scannell, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester (with Mary Kinsella Scannell and Erin Ferrara) appeared first on PLAN of MA and RI.

Mr. Brett has been a lifelong champion for people with disabilities. In May 2022, President Joe Biden appointed him to serve as the Chair of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) and reappointed him as Chairman in 2023. He previously served on PCPID under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, including a term as Chairman from 2011–2013. In 2016, Congress appointed him to the National Council on Disability. He is also currently the Chair of the Governor’s Commission on Intellectual Disability, and the Chair of the Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission. In 2013, the University of Massachusetts Boston established the James T. Brett Chair in Disability and Workforce Development, the nation’s only endowed chair in disability and workforce development. In 1996, Bay Cove Human Services of Boston named a new community home for disabled adults “Brett House” in his honor.

The post Disability Advocate & New England Council CEO Jim Brett appeared first on PLAN of MA and RI.

Cynthia Haddad is a Certified Financial Planner Professional and a Chartered Special Needs Consultant. She is a founding partner and wealth advisor at Affinia Financial Group in Burlington, MA. As a financial professional and sister and advocate for her brother Ron, who has developmental disabilities, Cindy has dedicated her career to serving families like her own. She is a nationally sought-after speaker on planning for families of individuals with disabilities and co-author of the groundbreaking book, The Special Needs Planning Guide, now in its 2nd edition.

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In this episode, we hear from Collette Divitto, the founder of the nationally recognized baking business Collettey’s Cookies, as well as her mother Rosemary Alfredo.

Collette, who was born in 1990 with Down syndrome, developed her passion for baking while taking classes in high school in her hometown of Ridgefield, Connecticut. She graduated from a three-year LIFE program at Clemson University in just two years. Despite going on many interviews, she encountered significant barriers to employment after moving to Boston. However, she never let this dissuade her and began turning her passion for baking into both a successful business and a platform from which to advocate for people with disabilities and improving their employment opportunities.

Please enjoy this fascinating and inspiring conversation between our host Jordan Rich, Collette and Rosemary.

The post Collettey’s Cookies: Special Cookies from a Special Girl appeared first on PLAN of MA and RI.

In this episode, we hear from Leo Sarkissian, Executive Director of the Arc of Massachusetts, as he discusses the history and present of the organization, as well as the state of advocacy and care for people living with intellectual and physical disabilities in the Commonwealth. PLAN actually grew out of the original members and families of the Arc, with the original Trust incorporated in 1971 as a non-profit under the IRS Section 501©3 tax code. The discussion also touched on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately impacted a large portion of the people in the disabled community and their families. You can find out more about the work and mission of Leo and the Arc of Massachusetts here: https://thearcofmass.org/about/

The post The Arc of Massachusetts: History and Dialogue in the Disability Advocacy Movement – with Leo Sarkissian appeared first on PLAN of MA and RI.

In this episode, hear from Craig Welton, Chief Development Officer at Northeast Arc, as he discusses how Northeast Arc fulfills their tagline: “Changing lives. Discovering abilities.” The supports offered by Northeast Arc, from independent living skills to job programs, seek to meet each individual’s needs and goals. Listen as he highlights how connections within the community and a partnership with PLAN support their work. To find out more: https://ne-arc.org/.

The post Northeast Arc: Individual Abilities and Community Connections – with Craig Welton appeared first on PLAN of MA and RI.

In this episode, hear from Elder Law Attorney, Elizabeth Phillips, as she discusses herself and her Rhode Island-based practice, Hackman & Phillips Elder Law Rhode Island LLC. Listen as she highlights Elder Law, Special Needs Trusts, her relationship with PLAN of MA & RI, and more. Learn more here: https://www.elderlawrillc.com/

The post Elder Law in Rhode Island – with Attorney Elizabeth Phillips appeared first on PLAN of MA and RI.

In this episode, hear from special guest Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that strives to end the social, physical, and economic isolation of the millions of people around the world with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Listen as he discusses his personal journey that led to the founding of this wonderful organization! https://www.bestbuddies.org/

Read the transcript for this episode. 

The post Becoming Best Buddies – with Anthony Kennedy Shriver appeared first on PLAN of MA and RI.

In this episode, hear from Michelle Markowitz, President and CEO of Cardinal Cushing Centers, as she discusses how the organization’s variety of programs embodies its vision of being a caring intergenerational community where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live full and meaningful lives at home, at work, at school, and at play. Find out more here: https://cushingcenters.org/

Read the transcript of this episode. 

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