Tag Archives: Special Needs Trust Network

Out and About Talking Trusts In The Community

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The last few weeks brought several exciting events and the opportunity for part of the team at The Special Needs Trust Network to get out and meet you! We’re always excited to meet not only individuals but members of other non-profits and agencies who work hard to make life better for people with disabilities or senior citizens. It’s always great to meet and talk to people who might not know what a special needs trust is and how it could help them. Or maybe if they’ve heard of special needs trusts they might have thought they didn’t have enough money to fund one.

We attended the Jefferson County Senior Law Day presented by by First Judicial Attorney Peter Weir and “Communities Against Senior Exploitation.” This was the third year for this outstanding event and location and we were certainly busy meeting people and answering questions and discussing special needs trusts. There were over 45 vendors and 15 break out sessions focusing on such issues as “Understanding Powers of Attorney,” “Grasping End of Life Issues, “”Avoiding Common Mistakes Involving Probate,” “Identity Theft Protection,” “Understanding Conservatorships and Guardianships” and many more. There was also the popular “Ask An Attorney” which gave attendees the opportunity to sit down and ask legal questions to an attorney for free. You can see a few of our pictures on our Facebook page,

If you missed this event in Jefferson County mark your calendars for the Denver Senior Law Day event July 27th at the Denver Merchandise Mart. This event will be much larger than the Jefferson County Senior Law Day but well worth the time and effort to attend. You can find more information at the Colorado Bar Association Senior Law Day website here.

The Special Needs Trust Network’s Executive Director, Rita Blackwood, attended the Assisted Technology 2013 Expo “Technology for Learning and Living” presented by The Assisted Technology Partners School of Medicine at University of Colorado. Rita is one of the most knowledgable people around when it comes to special needs trusts, Medicaid/Medicare, Social Security Disability (SSDI), Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) benefits and she’s also the parent of an adult child with disabilities. She was happy to meet other non-profits and agencies and to have the opportunity to meet people in our community. She spoke with people who already had special needs trusts set up for their children as well of those who had no idea what special needs trusts are and how they function to keep you or loved on benefits when you inherit money, receive a windfall, back payment, or have other assets.

Especially important to know for those parents who already have a third-party trust set up for their child is that a third-party trust does not cover all contingencies and some people need both first and third-party trusts, depending on who the money belongs to. More on this issue and the differences between a third and first party trust in upcoming blogs so make sure you check back in with us. We’re scheduling more events so we look forward to seeing you soon!

Special Needs Trust Network event table at Jefferson County Senior Law Day

Jefferson County Senior Law Day

Jefferson County Senior Law Day

Special Needs Trust Network at Jefferson County Senior Law Day

Tim Wood of The Special Needs Trust Network Jefferson County Senior Law Day

Special Needs Trust Network Senior Care Manager Tim Wood at the Jefferson County Senior Law Day

Jefferson County Senior Law Day

The Special Needs Trust Network at Jefferson County Senior Law Day Vendor lobby

13 Ways a Special Needs Pooled Trust Can Help You In 2013

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2013 The Year of the Snake

2013 The Year of the Snake

Welcome to the New Year! A time when we consider resolutions, plans, hopes and moving forward into future with a fresh start. And welcome to 2013 The Year of the Snake in Chinese Astrology! While researching The Year of the Snake I found there are some interesting traits between Snakes and those of us working within Special Needs Pooled Trusts.  So let’s take a look.

Technically The Year of the Snake begins on February 10, 2013 and ends on January 30, 2014. The Snake is the 6th sign is the Chinese Zodiac and is also called the Junior Dragon. People born in the Year of the Snake are keen, cunning, quite intelligent, wise, graceful, and exhibit materialism.  When making decisions, Snakes are extremely analytical and as a result they don’t jump into situations. They are great mediators and good at doing business. These are all fabulous traits; we should be intelligent, do our research, take time, and be wise in our decision-making. So let’s all be more “snake-like” in 2013!

Additionally this is a year of the water Snake, meaning all things will be possible.  Top priorities are saving money and being thrifty which are good priorities in any year.  Delusion and deception are common in the year of water Snake, so stay alert!  To gain the greatest benefits from this year, you must control spending and use your talents wisely.

Again, many of the qualities listed for those born in the Year of the Snake are ones we all can aspire to when organizing our lives and finances to insure that 2013 and beyond are healthy, financially sound, and prosperous years.

So in the name of fresh starts, planning, The Year of the Snake, and Special Needs Trusts let’s have some fun with this and look at 13 Ways a Special Needs Pooled Trust Can Help you in 2013.

  1. Save and invest money while qualifying for or retaining your benefits.
  2. Plan for a child to live the same lifestyle they do now with you.  An Easter Seals Living with Disabilities shows there are 7 in 10  adult children with disabilities living with a parent or guardian and 52% of parents of a child with a disability are concerned about their child’s financial well being. Yet while parents concerns are high nearly one-third have done little or nothing to prepare. What happens when you are no longer here?
  3. Ability to receive back payment, settlement, or windfall and maintain benefits.
  4. Have an individualized assessment and plan done with a qualified care manager.
  5. Receive the proper care management when needed.
  6. Help the beneficiary access funds in ways permitted by state and federal legislation.
  7. Be an advocate for the person with disabilities. Unfortunately getting dropped from SSDI or SSI does happen, along with other possible issues. But as our client we will advocate on your behalf. We are here for you!
  8. Protection from financial exploitation.
  9. Minimal investment amount, but the same investment advice and experience that million dollar trusts receive through our private wealth management partner.
  10.  Very low set up fees compared to private trusts as we hold master trust documents for both first and third party trusts.
  11.  Help maintain compliance and reporting to state and federal agencies.
  12.  Knowledge that an experienced non-profit volunteer board has your needs in mind. We are not in this for the money but the belief in a better life for our clients.
  13. Peace of mind.

Ancient Chinese wisdom says a Snake in the house is a good omen because it means that your family will not starve.  Modern day Special Needs Pooled Trusts like The Special Needs Trust Network (SNTN) know that planning for the future today can protect you by maintaining your benefits, protecting assets, and creating a sense of financial well-being therefore limiting the possibility of “starving.” While we can’t protect you against every threat and not all investments earn positive returns on a regular basis we’re just asking you  to consider at least the first step;  think about protecting what you have now for the future.

At the Special Needs Trust Network we’re always just a click, call, or visit away. If you have questions or comments please reach out to us, there is no charge for this conversation and if you are outside of the state of Colorado we will happily refer you to other qualified and experienced non-profit pooled trusts.  Feel free to reach us at 303.331.4420, Info@SNTNetwork.org. and make sure that in the Year of the Snake you save money, gain the benefits you deserve and the peace of mind that comes with this.

 

Happy First Birthday SNTN!

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Birthday cake, first birthday

Happy Birthday, SNTN!

First years of anything are exciting, challenging, fun, and sometimes stressful. Think back to your first year of college, your first job, or your first year as a parent. But first years also go by very quickly! All of us at The Special Needs Trust Network (SNTN) have experienced all of these same emotions over this past year on our way to starting a new non-profit, reaching out into the community, and working with new clients.

It seems so long ago in early 2010 that Rita Blackwood and myself attended a Colorado State University career event and I mentioned my desire to join a non-profit board. Rita responded with the surprising comment that she was happy to hear me say that as she was looking at starting a new non-profit special needs trust and wanted to ask me to join her. She then said, “Do you think the rest of Team C would like to help?” I responded that I thought they would and suggested she send an email that evening. Early the next morning Donna Sue and David had agreed to join in.

“Team C” consisted of Rita Blackwood, Karen Bordner, Donna Sue Mastalka, and David Cutler. We were put together as complete strangers during our first week during a class at CSU’s Executive MBA program and we stayed together as a study team for the twenty-one month program. Through weekly classes, study group meetings, writing papers and developing presentations we shared intelligent conversations, laughs, a 10 day international study tour with our entire class during the hottest summer on record for Europe, and yes I’ll admit to a few drinks being involved! After graduation we’ve remained friends, attended CSU events or additional classes, and enjoyed each others company without the stress of what next project was due for class. Rita, David, and Donna Sue are three of the most amazing individuals I’ve ever met and I’m grateful and honored for their friendship. As a group we’re thankful, happy, and proud that CSU’s Department of Business decided to profile us in just our first year of operation with the article, “Executive MBA Graduates Working to Protect the Assets of the Disabled.” 

We started The Special Needs Trust Network (SNTN) to offer a special needs pooled trust in the state of Colorado, reach out to various disability groups directly and by using social media, and offer a high standard of financial, care management, and advocacy to clients. Over 2010 we met monthly and worked virtually to develop business, marketing plans, financials, bylaws, operating agreement, trust documents, company mission and narrative along with filling out the IRS 1023. While waiting for the IRS decision we continued working on strategy, working with a wonderful artist Dave Staub/Element 95 on our logo design and a fabulous writer, Mari Christie to design our brochure, web content, and web page, and interviewed financial institutions to find the best and most secure options for our clients investments.

And finally on February 23, 2011 we received the IRS Letter of Determination! By coincidence this fell on the night of our monthly board meeting and while we celebrated that night we knew the work wasn’t over but had only just begun. As a special needs pooled trust the state of Colorado’s Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) had to review and approve our trust documents but only after we received our 501c3. We were still along way from accepting and helping clients, but we were one step closer.

So tonight at another board meeting we will celebrate one year of having our 501c3 status as well as meeting yearly goals and moving forward in serving those who are truly in need or our services. Stay tuned for more updates, and information as we move into our second year.

Happy 1st Birthday, SNTN!