Franklin SEPAC Monthly Meeting – May 19, 2010

The Franklin Special Education Parent’s Advisory Council (SEPAC) had our eighth monthly meeting on May 19, 2010 in room 205, but we are regularly in the 3^rd floor training room at Franklin’s Municipal Building.  The SEPAC President, Sharon Miller called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM.   There were 2 people in attendance in addition to the 4 officers and speaker. 

Officers and Beth Fitzmaurice (Franklin’s Director of Special Education) were introduced.

SEPAC has the position of secretary open for next year.  We will have elections at our June meeting if you are interested.  Position entails taking monthly minutes at meeting.

For those on our email list, we will soon be sending a list of ideas for speakers and programs for next year.  Please review and let us know which interest you!  We want to help as many families in Franklin that we can, we need your input to know how we can help you.

Finance committee met and discussed the following:

• Having $1,200 go towards a Unique Learning System to assist Franklin Special Education.
• Having a Fall Pizza Party at Pump It Up
• Having a table at the Franklin Harvest Festival
• Getting a Raffle Permit
• Comedy Night will be on again in November

They need volunteers if anyone is available to help!

We need ideas for speakers for next year…

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 16, 2010.  This last meeting with be a session where everyone can trade ideas on the best and the most fun places to take your children during the summer.

Our next Parent to Parent Social is Tuesday, May 25th 9:30am at Panera Restaurant in Franklin at 9:30am.  For more information on these discussion groups please contact call Terri Morgan at 508-541-7475

Tonight’s Speaker:

Estate Planning for Special Needs Children

Tasha Buzzell, Esq. 12 Church Street, North Attleboro, MA 02760

Phone: 508-695-8484 Fax: 508-409-3528

I. Letter Of Intent

ACTION ITEM: LETTER OF INTENT

1.         Set a timer for 50 minutes.  Sit down at your table, and start writing.  Think of it as a how-to manual for your child.  It doesn’t have to be perfect – something is better than nothing.  Just start writing.

2.         An outline of your child’s day. What time does he get up? What does he eat for breakfast?  Does he hate cheerios but love eggs with cheese?  Is he afraid of alligators under the bed?  Bedtime routines?  Who would know that but you? 

3.         What are his likes, dislikes, and what calms him?  Are there certain textures that don’t work, certain sounds, certain tv shows? 

4.         Bathing and grooming: can they do it themselves?  If not, who helps?  Do you provide all care start-to-finish, or only for certain parts of the process?  Do you have a bathing routine?  What time of day does your child expect it to happen?  Do you provide a quick bath or does your child like to soak in the tub for awhile?  Give details.  This is some of the most personalized care a child receives from a parent.

5.         Education: Do you have an educational advocate?  Who is this person, and how can he/she be contacted?  What type of education is being emphasized for your child – academic, vocational, rehabilitative, total communication, etc.  If your child has an IEP, provide a copy of the most recent plan. 

6.         Current functioning: Can he read, tell time, use money?  Can he use the microwave and stove?  How long can he be left alone? 

7.         Clothing: Are there certain fabrics he won’t wear?  Do tags need to be cut out of clothing?  Zippers or buttons? 

8.         Foods: Favorites?  Dislikes?  Temperature preferences?  Texture preferences? 

9.         Hobbies and activities: What does he enjoy doing?  What is a stand-by distraction if problems are developing?

10.       Discipline: How do you discipline?  How do you choose what to discipline and what not to discipline?  Make sure you have described elsewhere what behaviors may be the result of a disability so the child is not disciplined for them, or what behaviors/symptoms may signal the need to have a medication adjustment or behavior consult. 

11.       Behavior Management: What is your current behavior management plan?  What have you tried that hasn’t worked?  Who helped you formulate this plan?  Do you consult regularly with someone on an ongoing basis to address new issues?

12.       Medical Issues: If your child has any medical issues, leave a detailed memorandum (updated at least twice a year) outlining all providers, medications, surgeries/treatments, future treatment required/recommended, etc.  Also advise if there is anything you regularly do to calm your child, prepare him for treatment, or otherwise make it a more comfortable process, even if it’s something as simple as grabbing an ice cream cone on the way back from the doctor.

13.       Relatives, friends, caregivers: Tell who your child’s best friend, favorite aunt, etc.  Provide ways for these people to be contacted.  Provide information about any routines your child may have with these people – i.e. sleepovers at grandmother’s once a month – so these routines can be encouraged to continue.

14.       Places your child likes to visit or enjoys being: the park, the zoo, walking the dog, sitting under a tree in the yard, whatever it is – tell someone else so they know.

15.       Residential Issues: Where do you want your child to reside?  What’s your second option, third option?  With family, congregate housing, etc?  Plan for flexibility, incase your preferred option isn’t available, isn’t a good fit, or your child doesn’t want to live there.

16.       Employment Issues (if appropriate by age, i.e. teenagers): What types of places would your child enjoy working?  Does he enjoy animals and would do well working at an animal shelter or dog sitting?  Does he prefer large motor tasks and would do well raking leaves and mowing lawns?  Are there certain employment situations he should avoid that may be overwhelming?

17.       Religious Issues: Specify your religion, if any.  Specify what continued involvement you want your child to have, if desired.

18.       The Big Issues: If important to you, provide information about “the big stuff” – how and when you want your child told about the birds and the bees, age for dating, availability of birth control, etc.

19.       Holidays and other special days: What holidays does your family celebrate, and what holiday routines do you want to pass on to your children?  What has come to define your family on these holidays?  Children miss routines more than anything – the loss of routines feels like a loss of family.  How do you celebrate birthdays?  Does the birthday child pick dinner that day?  Is he woken up in a special way to celebrate?

20.       Assistive Devices: If your child uses any, explain what they are and how they are used, as well as information about repairs/maintenance/insurance and what providers have prescribed these devices.

21.       Assets and income, and any legal documents you have prepared to provide for your child.  How do you want your children to be cared for financially?  When did you last update your estate plan?  Where are your estate documents – at your house, with your lawyer?  What is your lawyer’s name and phone number? 

22.       Any wishes you have for your child – things left undone, things you want to make sure are done, or even a letter to your child for special days like high school graduation, 18^th birthday, etc.

23.       Personalize all of this to your child.  If your child’s behavior management plan involves following a chart, provide a copy of the chart so it can be utilized immediately.  If your child always carries photos of you and your spouse, provide extra copies with this letter incase the child’s photos were somehow lost.  This list is not in any way exhaustive – add and delete categories as apply for your child.  You are your child’s expert – keep that as your legacy to your child, incase you can no longer be there.

24.       And lastly, provide copies to your chosen guardians as well as anyone who might be the first person to respond in an emergency incase your chosen guardians are not local.  Or, let everyone know where they can find a copy.  Even give a copy to your spouse, if appropriate, such as if you are the primary caregiver to your child. 

II. Estimating your child’s future needs

a.       Finding and tapping your resources

b.      Revisit your estimates at least yearly

III. Picking the Future

a.       Trustees

b.      Guardians

c.       Conservators

d.      In-court proceedings vs. out-of-court proceedings

e.       Securing enough money to go around: estate planning and financial considerations

f.        Medicaid/SSI/Special Needs Trusts

IV. Building Flexibility Into the Plan

a.       Multiple possibilities for trustees/guardians/conservators

b.      If…then.

V. Special Needs Trusts

a.       What are they?  42 U.S.C.  1396p(d)(4)(A)

b.      Definition of disability per Social Security

c.       When are they appropriate?  Inheritance, personal injury settlement

d.      Who can be the trustee?

e.       What benefits do they provide?  What benefits do they protect?

f.        When and how do they terminate?  What happens at termination?

Respectfully submitted,
Sara Madden