Additional Life Book Resources (Links)
My Life Book Online Planning Resources
These online resources will help you in your future planning efforts. The resources are divided in to six categories:
- person-centered planning
- financial planning
- trust resources
- guardianship
- government benefits
- general resources
Person-Centered Planning Resources
Allen Shea & Associates. A Resource List on Person Centered Planning.
http://www.allenshea.com/resource.html
Etmanski, A. (2000) A Good Life for You and Your Relative with a Disability.
http://www.agoodlife.org
Lutcherhand, C. (1998) Mental Retardation and Grief Following a Death Loss. Information for Families and Other Caregivers. A booklet to assist parents, friends, staff people and others who may need to console a person with mental retardation who lost a parent or friend, or is near to someone whose death is imminent. Publication number 10-15.
http://209.183.228.233/
Minnesota DD Council. It’s Never Too Early, It’s Never Too Late; A Booklet About Personal Futures Planning.
http://www.mncdd.org/extra/publications/Making_Futures_Happen.PDF
Smull, M.W. (1998) Think Before You Plan.
http://www.elpnet.net/beforeyouplan.html
Financial Planning Resources
MetDESK (Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids) Planning for Children with Special Needs. MetDESK specialists are helping families plan for the future.
http://www.metlife.com/Applications/Corporate/WPS/CDA/PageGenerator/0,1674,P475,00.html
Merrill Lynch. The Families of Children with Disabilities Program. Includes a financial needs calculator for families of children with disabilities.
http://askmerrill.ml.com/product_details/1,2270,20284,00.html
Easter Seals. (2002) With Open Arms: Embracing a bright financial future of you and your child with disabilities and other special needs. (Easter Seals, 230 West Monroe Street, Suite 1800, Chicago, IL 60606. 1-800-221-6827; 1-312-726-6200; http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ntl_with_open_arms
Planning Now, an estate planning guide by the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.
http://www.md-council.org
The Special Needs Network. A nonprofit that features links to government and family support sites.
http://www.tsnn.org
Special Needs Alliance. A referral service for lawyers with expertise in special needs trust.
http://www.specialneedsalliance.com
Trust Resources
Berkobien, T. and Varnet, T. (1999) Future Planning: Making Financial Arrangements with a Trust. The Arc of the United States.
http://www.thearc.org/faqs/trustqa.html
Family Village. Estate Planning & Special Needs Trusts.
http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/general/estate.htm
MetDESK (Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids) Planning for Children with Special Needs.
http://www.metlife.com/Applications/Corporate/WPS/CDA/PageGenerator/0,1674,P475,00.html
MetDESK, MetLife’s Divison of Estate Planning for Special Kids. The Special Needs Trust.
http://www.thearc.org/development/whitepaper3.doc
Ohio’s Family Support Collaborative. Special Needs Trusts.
http://olrs.ohio.gov/ASP/olrs_SpecialNeedsTrust.asp
The Arc. (2002) Pooled Trust Programs for People with Disabilities: A Guide for Families. Find publication number 25178-ARC.
http://209.183.228.233/
Guardianship Resources
Berkobien, R. (1997) Future Planning: Guardianship and People with Mental Retardation. The Arc of the United States.
http://www.thearc.org/faqs/guard.html
National Guardianship Association, 1604 Country Club Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, (520) 881-6561. The mission of NGA is to establish and promote a nationally recognized standard of excellence in guardianship.
http://www.guardianship.org
To Find an Attorney: The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 1604 Country Club Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, (520) 881-4005. This non-profit association assists lawyers, bar organizations and others who work with older clients and their families. Established in 1987, the Academy provides information, education, networking and assistance to those who must deal with specialized, related services for the elderly and disabled.
http://www.naela.org/Applications/ConsumerDirectory/index.cfm
Resources on Government Benefits
Scarborough, D. (1990-2003). Accessing Social Security Disability Benefits to Provide Vocational and Educational Opportunities for People with Disabilities. National training curriculum for disability service organizations on accessing Social Security disability programs. Available from author at dscarborough@passNetwork.org
Scarborough, D. (2003) Appealing a Decision by the Social Security Administration for Disability Benefit Eligibility. The Arc of the United States.
http://www.thearc.org/afcsp/appeals.htm
Scarborough, D. (2003) How the Social Security Administration Defines Disability for Social Security Disability Benefit Eligibility. The Arc of the United States.
http://www.thearc.org/afcsp/defdisability.htm
SSA Publication No. 05-10029. Disability Benefits. February 2003, ICN 456000.
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10029.html
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Program:
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program:
http://www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/
General
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. This website is designed to provide information on the latest relevant research, model programs, and policy issues. Covers training and technical assistance opportunities, conferences and available resources. Resources are available written, videotape and CD formats. Many can be downloaded at no cost.
http://www.uic.edu/orgs/rrtcamr/pubslist.html#family_issues
