RESOURCES TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
CAREGIVING, SUPPORT, AND MORE
When it comes to future planning, it can feel overwhelming to think about. As your child or family member with a Developmental or Intellectual Disability ages, you do as well. Planning ahead can help guide you and your family member into the next stages of life. This can help lead to individuals living a life as independent as possible and receiving the support to participate in the activities and services they would like. It is never to early to start planning for the future. This page has resources listed to assist families and caregivers in planning for the future.
This page will share upcoming events and opportunities for families, so make sure to continue to check back!
Future Planning is the process of creating a guide for an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) for all stages of life, especially when their parent or primary caregiver can no longer provide support. The Arc of the United States created this program to help individuals put together a plan to organize information on all aspects of a person’s life including:
- Daily Routines, needs, and Support
- Living arrangements
- Finances
- And more
AARP | How Parents can build a support system for children with Developmental Disabilities
AARP put together a page that gives parents and caregivers a guide to help you find financial resources and supports to consider when planning. This page gives information on SSI eligibility, housing estate planning, and more.
The Special Needs Alliance created a webpage in partnership with Long, Reher & Hanson P.A. Lawfirm for tips to develop an estate plan for parents of children with disabilities. This provides tips and information on specific strategies for gathering information to make a thorough plan regarding your estate and your child’s future if you are too pass or unable to provide care.
Adult Sibling Toolkit Guide| The Arc of Snohomish County and the Washington State Developemental Disabilities Council
A future planning guide for siblings of adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Washington state. This guide will assist you in gathering information on identifying supports, gathering paperwork, finding “go-to” supports, and more.
Recognizing the Person in the Context of Family | LIFECOURSE NEXUS
An important part of future planning includes identifying the existing relationships defined by the individual and their family. It is important to identify the roles of these relationships in caregiving. LifeCourse Tools provide two resources for individuals and caregivers to use to map out these relationships: Mapping Relationships and Reciprocal Roles.
Mapping relationships will help you identify different people and the ways they support you.
Reciprocal Roles will help you identify the people in your life and the ways they support you and the role you take in their life. This will help identify gaps to build even stronger relationships.
Family Community Connections Guidebook | THE ARC OF WASHINGTON STATE
As a family member, there may be days when you think it is impossible to find community resources or engagement opportunities. Parenting is hard work. Add in a son or daughter with an intellectual and/or developmental disability, and the task becomes daunting. Many people toss around words like community, inclusion, and belonging; yet finding ways to make these ideals a reality can be confusing, complex, and overwhelming. There is no right path and no right approach. The guide includes worksheets for identifying people, places, and ideas to help broaden your family member’s social circle and community connections.
Considerations in planning for the future may include wills and special needs trusts. One option for you to explore is the DD Endowment Trust Fund (ETF), administered by The Arc of Washington State. This public/private partnership creates a stable resource to enhance the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities. For more information, call toll-free 1-888-754-8798 ext. 1 or visit the DD Endowment website.
My Life Plan | DD COUNCIL AND THE ARC OF WASHINGTON STATE
Created by a partnership between the DD Council and The Arc of Washington State, is a free online tool to help you plan for the future. The questions have been designed with input from families and professionals to identify age-specific questions related to a person’s strengths, and interests. My Life Plan puts the individual at the center of life decisions every step of the way.
Financial Planning Resources | The Arc US
You don’t need a lot of money to make a financial plan, but you do need to plan. Saving money is crucial for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to live full lives. A financial plan can help determine how a person with IDD will pay for the things they want and need in the future.
Visit the link here to download free resources on how to save money and navigate public benefits, ABLE accounts, special needs trusts, and more
EVENTS, TRAININGS, AND WEBINARS FOR FAMILIES:
SUPPORT DECISION-MAKING WORKSHOP: MAY 30TH, 2023 FROM 12:00 PM TO 1:00 PM
THE ARC OF SPOKANE
Supported Decision Making allows people with disabilities to retain their decision-making capacity by selecting supporters who help them make their own choices. It is a priority in person-centered systems, as oftentimes people with IDD are appointed guardians and their ability to make their own choices may be significantly limited in the name of keeping them safe.
In this virtual workshop, you will join The Arc of Spokane and Sequaya Tasker, Senior Executive Officer of Program Initiatives with The Arc of the United States, to learn about Supported Decision Making as an alternative to guardianship and when and where to start the conversation about future planning. We will explore how systems have expanded alternatives to guardianship so people with disabilities are given more autonomy and empowered while still providing safety and care.
WHAT I WISH I KNEW: SPECIAL NEEDS FINANCIAL PLANNING: JUNE 6TH, 2023 AT 7:30 PM
SPECIAL ABILITIES NETWORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENT TO PARENT OF OKANOGAN COUNTY
A virtual session for families that have loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The workshop will cover subjects such as addressing primary issues, creating a life-care-plan vision, guardianships/alternatives to guardianships, identifying financial resources, and many more.
