I’m an educator.  For me, the most important outcome is that my clients understand why and how of what they have and what they are doing.

 

As Executive Director of a postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities at National Louis University , I educated high school students with IEPs and their families about how continuing their academics, while accumulating internship experience could prepare the students for their most independent adulthood. At the same time, I educated my university colleagues about the value of including students with intellectual disabilities in university classrooms and activities as well as the importance of making the program affordable and financial aid more available to students with disabilities from lower resource situations.  As students approached graduation, I educated them and their parents about the Work Incentives that could help them earn income to their full potential and advance in their employment while still retaining access to crucial Social Security, Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver benefits and supports. 

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​When I started as executive director of L'Arche, the community had only one home and was struggling financially because none of the residents had the Medicaid Waiver funding for which they were eligible.  I educated the board on how the Wavier worked.  I educated the Department of Human Services Disability Division on how L'Arche worked as a unique model for supported living.  We applied, everyone got funded and the community was able to add a home and double in size.   

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As a Certified Financial Planner for people with disabilities and their families and as a National Social Security Advisor, I educate clients as necessary on how they can make the best use of Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and their own resources to support a financially secure life for everyone in the family, particularly the member with disabilities.

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