Guardian Trust

If you live near or plan to visit the Tampa Bay area, be sure to check out a new store in Clearwater that appeals to families with children with special needs.  Kids Toolbox is a store that provides tools of many different types to kids with physical and emotional challenges such as Autism, ADHD/ADD, Developmental Delays, Sensory Processing Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Down's Syndrome and more. Their store is a place where customers can see, feel and try products, as well as a place to go for support groups and seminars. There is a safe area for kids to play and try different items while parents shop. Products recommended by teachers and therapists are readily available in the store. Read more about the store in this Tampa Bay Times newspaper article: http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/clearwater-store-stocks-tools-for-helping-children-with-autism-add-special/1225098 Also, visit the store'e website here: http://www.kidstoolbox.com/

On March 29, 2012 Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., introduced the “Disabled Military Child Protection Act” which would permit military retirees who participate in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to transfer their benefits to a special needs trust for their child(ren) with a disability, which would be accessible after the retiree dies. Military retirees who elect to participate in SBP pay monthly premiums; the SBP provides up to 55 percent of a member’s monthly retired pay to survivors.   Presently, these benefits must go to disabled individuals directly and would count as income, thus jeopardizing programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This would protect the Survivor Benefit and the public benefit for the child with a disability under the umbrella of a protected special needs trust. For more information regarding the Disabled Military Child Protection Act, read the article published on April 3, 2012 by Karen Jowers of the Army Times. http://www.armytimes.

Wednesday April 18th Steve Hitchcock will be presenting at the Suncoast Guardian Association's second annual April seminar: THE THREE A’S: A CCESSING INFORMATION, A DVOCATING FOR AND A DDRESSING THE NEEDS OF THE WARD. Steve's presentation is titled "Ethics - The Guardian and the Guardian's Attorney." Other topics being presented include Cyber Law Investigation, Accessing Medicaid and VA Benefits for the Ward, and Making Medical Decisions.  5 CEU's will be provided and there is a registration fee. To learn more about the Suncoast Guardian Association and how to register for this event, contact Maxwell Sargent , President of the Suncoast Guardian Association.

Many of the professionals that we work with find that the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorney (AFELA) Elder Concert is a worthwhile and educational conference for all elder care professionals.  AFELA has made it convenient for professionals all around Florida to attend by holding the event in two cities: Tampa and Fort Lauderdale. Guardian Trust is proud to sponsor the Elder Concert and we hope to see many of you there. Be sure to stop by our table and say "hello" to us! The Elder Concert in Tampa will be held on Friday May 4th. Steve Hitchcock will be facilitating at one of the sessions. The Elder Concert in Fort Lauderdale will be held on Friday May 11th. Travis Finchum will be facilitating at one of the sessions. Continuing Education credits are available for attorneys, registered guardians, licensed clinical social workers, marriage & family therapists and mental health counselors.  See the  AFELA website for more details on this great event.