Joan McGrath

Call it partnership or collaboration, but when two like-minded nonprofit organizations join forces for the good of those they serve, great things can and do happen. It’s been more than three years since Road to Responsibility (RTR) and Planned Lifetime Assistance Network (PLAN) of MA and RI, Inc. formed a partnership, one based on a mutual mission to better the lives of individuals with intellectual, developmental, emotional, and physical challenges now and in their future.

Planning for the future of a loved one with a disability can be daunting. Yet it is among the most important steps families can take. A new year is the perfect time to take action. Nearly 1 in 4 adults is a family caregiver. Chances are you or someone you know is one. For millions in the Sandwich Generation, people caring for both an aging parent and a child, navigating responsibilities such as school and medical appointments leaves little time for long-term planning.

Special needs trusts for older adults have been a vital part of the health care landscape in Massachusetts for three decades, but sadly they are slated to be eliminated on March 1 of next year unless legislative action is taken to protect them. A special needs trust is a legal document recognized under federal law that allows assets to be set aside for the sole benefit of a person with disabilities without jeopardizing their access to public benefits.