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Upcoming Workshops
unless otherwise noted,
all workshops will be held at
The Dale Law Firm, PC
Conference Room
127 Aspen Dr., Pacheco, CA
Register by contacting shelley@dalelawfirm.com
or by calling (925) 826-5585
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SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS WORKSHOP FOR
FAMILY MEMBERS
Two dates to choose from:
April 11, or May 16, 2012
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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LIMITED CONSERVATORSHIPS
July 18, 2012
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS FOR PROFESSIONALS
(to be held at The Contra Costa Arc)
3 MCLE Credits Available
June 15, 2012
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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For more information on these and other workshops,
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In Office
Promotional Special
New clients will receive a discount on their estate planning if they attend a workshop, watch an on-line video or view a free educational DVD from the Dale Law Firm.
For more information, go to the
"Educational Workshop"
section of the
Achieving Independence
website
(www.achievingindependence.com)
There are two applicable videos to view. The first video is listed under "Special Needs Trusts" and is 1 hour, 40 minutes long. This video has just been updated.
The Limited Conservatorship workshop is listed in 5 sections under "Limited Conservatorship".
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This Month's
 Video Highlight
In this video, Stephen W. Dale, discusses how the Lanternman Act established California's Regional Centers and reviews how families can utilize and advocate this system for their disabled loved one (20.09 minutes) |
Other autism and developmental disabilities groups and organizations:
(click on the title of the organization to be taken to their website)
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Autism Speaks
is the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
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The Autism Society of America
is the nation's leading grassroots autism organization. It exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.
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Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
has a mission to collaborate to create the expertise, information, and tools that people and communities need to protect their health - through health promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability, and preparedness for new health threats. This link directs you to the Autism Spectrum Disorders page on the CDC website.
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The Autspot
is a social network for families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The website also provides resources such as available programs for children and adults with ASD, as well as a library of information to better understand ASD.
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Care Parent Network
is a one-stop family resource center serving families of children with disabilities and special health care needs. Operated exclusively by parents of children of special needs, they are uniquely qualified to help parents of child with special needs.
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Proud members of
The Special Needs Alliance | |
learn more at
www.specialneedsalliance.org
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Stephen W. Dale, Esq., LL.M. attending this year's Stetson Conference
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A Newsletter for People with Disabilities and Their Families
April, 2012
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This issue's focus:
Autism Awareness
Dear Reader:
April is National Autism Awareness Month. There are many activities and outreach programs planned to help families of Autistic loved ones.
Does Autism affect your family? Most likely it does, considering the recently released CDC report showing that 1 in 88 children up to the age of 8 are now diagnosed with Autism.
So many questions arise, most specifically "why" and "how." We cannot answer those questions for you, but we recognized that no matter the reasons, it is a reality for many of our families. We hope to utilize this newsletter to providing you, our reader, with information that can help you in planning for and supporting your Autistic family member.
We've listed quite a few programs available to help parents of Autistic children and are highlighting the California Autism Foundation.
Additionally, check out our feature video entitled "The Lanterman Act and IPPs", a must know for any parent of a child with disabilities.
Questions or comments can be directed to nina@dalelawfirm.com.
Happy reading! Nina S. Jones, Editor |
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The California Autism Foundation - Reaching Out To Help YOU!
by Katherine Grant, Administrative Assistant, California Autism Foundation
www.calautism.org
In recent years Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is a developmental disability, has found its way into main stream society. There is a wealth of information being introduced to the general public. California Autism Foundation is grateful for the exposure, however with so much conflicting information it is easy to form an incomplete picture of what autism is, what services are available, and what kind of future parents can expect for their children. Organizations such as ours reach out to the public to inform them of the facts of ASD, as well as how we can help individuals on the spectrum.
April officially became Awareness Month in 2008. California Autism Foundation (CAF) holds events throughout the month to raise awareness of our cause and about our foundation. We will begin the month with an Open House at ABC School for the public to come see our facility and meet teachers and staff. On Wednesday, April 18th, CAF is holding an event at Make Westing Bar conveniently located in downtown Oakland, 2 blocks from 19th St. Bart Station. There will be Bocce Ball, appetizers, and lots of fun! Wrapping up the month we have our annual fundraising event at Round Up Saloon in Lafayette on Friday, April 27th. These events are a chance to introduce the public to ASD and to the programs we provide for children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities which provide a lifetime of support.
CAF offers community-based education programs at A Better Chance (ABC) School and Camp providing 30 children with education and activities year round. These programs combine education, community integration, and functional living skills. The curriculum is individualized and skills-based and includes basic math, language arts, vocational training, culinary, art, and music classes.
CAF's adult programs consist of ABC Day Program and ABC Industries. The ABC Day Program provides a community-based vocational training, adult education, and activity enrichment curriculum to over 60 adults each day. This program includes transportation to and from the client's home and within the greater community on field trips with service to the elderly and people with disabilities. ABC Industries offers supported employment, vocational training, adult education, and job coaching. These programs serve over 60 adults with autism or other developmental disabilities. In addition, CAF also offers Residential Services through three group homes and Supported Living Services.
All of CAF's programs align with our mission statement to provide to people with autism and other developmental disabilities the best possible opportunities for lifetime support, training and assistance in helping them reach their highest potential for independence, productivity and fulfillment.
Please visit our web-site, www.calautism.org, for expanded program descriptions and event information or call us at (510) 758-0433.
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Advocating Now For Your Child -
For Their Lifetime
by Stephen W. Dale, Esq., LL.M.
Long-term planning in an uncertain world is tough enough for any parent. When your child has a disability, it can be downright overwhelming. This article will focus on how you can advocate for your child's future.
Let me utilize a fictional example of Tim, a 17 year-old young man who has Autism. Doctors have advised that he will need assistance for the rest of his life and that his likely lifespan is should be around 87 years.
With this information, it becomes clear to Tim's parents that they will need to prepare to provide for Tim for approximately 70 more years. This will include health care, living arrangements, education, therapy, recreation, and protection.
How can Tim's parents face the challenge of taking care of Tim for seven decades, especially under the eventuality of their own deaths or potential incapacity? Traditionally, advisors would recommend that the parents create a special needs trust. Be warned, however, that a special needs trust focused only on protecting Tim's eligibility for government assistance may not sufficiently meet the challenge.
What if government benefit programs, such as SSI and Medicaid no longer exist in 70 years? The government may very well do away with such programs or could introduce alternate programs that operate very differently. This highlights one reason why, in planning for someone like Tim, it is essential that a comprehensive plan have the flexibility to adjust as the programs and systems that provide for Tim continue to evolve.
Preparing a special needs trust for your developmentally disabled child will entail much more than having an attorney fill out a form. The plan must be comprehensive and adjustable to enable long term support. A law practice dedicated to planning for people like Tim will often take steps that traditional estate planning practices would not need.
For example, certain practitioners employ social service staff as part of their practice or maintain a good working relationship with care managers and advisors who can assess the needs of both Tim and his caregivers. Practitioners may also develop techniques such as allowing for oversight by an advisory committee or trust protector under the counsel of a knowledgeable attorney to address future changes in the continuum of care. The option of having a trust and a team that re-evaluates itself periodically as needed during the beneficiary's lifetime can be quite useful.
My purpose is not to inspire fear, but to encourage hope and focus. As attitudes, technology and treatments improve and advocates, service providers, attorneys, trustees and care managers come together, the future may be brighter than we can currently imagine. The key factors for constructing this future will be respect for each other, conviction in our efforts, and the support of community programs.
Stephen W. Dale, Esq., LL.M.,
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