Ebony Women International Insurance Network’s Post

Well, as of 2 Jan 2024, I'm no longer a young trustee - just an average aged one! There simply are not enough trustees under 30. Young trustees provide such a rich, different perspective to those who are, let's say, more experienced. Both are absolutely vital. Trustees of all ages should be actively involved in encouraging their boards to include young trustees. We can all play our part. #YoungTrustees #LivedExperience #YouthVoices

Regardless of their age or disability, planning for the future needs of your special needs child is essential. Preservation of a disabled person’s access to government benefits is the top goal of a Special Needs Trust. If you do not engage in special needs estate planning, then any inheritance that passes to your disabled minor or adult child could cut off government payments for medical care, housing, and other services. Even modest contributions to a disabled person can result in disqualification for essential government benefits, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. A special needs trust can be a valuable tool that preserves and individual’s needs-based public benefits, especially Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). With our experience in creating and structuring special needs trusts, these public benefits can be maintained and the individual will also receive the financial award resources. Call Stinson Law Firm at 317-622-8181.

"Congress never intended to exclude service members with other than honorable discharges from benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)." "In 1944, Congress passed legislation demonstrating its commitment to provide veterans benefits to a wide range of former service members, specifying that those discharged “under conditions other than dishonorable” should be eligible for VA benefits. Congress has consistently reinforced that commitment over the last 80 years." "The VA’s implementation of this legislation routinely runs contrary to this plain statutory text and congressional intent, with denial of benefits to veterans with other than honorable discharges. With a growing proportion of service members receiving these discharges as they exit the military, the VA’s practice has led to the lifetime denial of benefits for hundreds of thousands of veterans." "Service members with other than honorable discharges are overrepresented among justice-involved veterans. For example, veterans with other than honorable discharges accounted for approximately 6% of all discharges over the last 20 years but comprise 18% of all incarcerated veterans. While more research is needed, this disparity suggests that the denial of benefits may contribute to increased criminal behavior among veterans." Read report by Lumen Mulligan, J.D., Dean and Professor of Law, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law; Research fellow, Council on Criminal Justice, Veterans Justice Commission. Council on Criminal Justice Lumen "Lou" Mulligan

In support of making it easier for parents to send their children to private school using public dollars, Governor Jeff Landry stated, "We cannot continue to be tone deaf to the moms and dads who are working two jobs to pay for a decent education for their child." So... we can continue to be tone deaf, then, to failing to assure adequate resources and funding for all public schools in Louisiana? We can continue to be tone deaf to the pervasive teacher shortage putting even more pressure on the teachers showing up each day? We can continue to ignore the pitiful, stagnant career wages that cause TEACHERS to have to work two (or more jobs) to pay for a decent life... or leave the profession so they can? We can continue to be tone deaf to the fact that if we actually worked to support schools that open their doors to ALL, we wouldn't have to keep pretending "other" is better... largely because who they historically leave behind? The math isn't mathing. I'm a public school teacher and mother of a child attending public schools. I have worked every day of my life for the past 16 years to make spaces better. As a parent, I understand that should I want something other than what public education provides, I can either be of greater service to the school OR I find a way to pay for these things. In fact, I've thought about it often as more and more restrictions are being placed on what can be taught in public schools. But for the time being, I simply love my community, my Louisiana, and my country too much to avoid the problems and seek out (questionably) greener pastures. I'm going to keep nurturing the soil and watering the grass where I am. For every two or three flowers that might want a different garden... that's totally fine, but I can't turn my back on the hundreds of beautiful blooms I'd be leaving behind. My conscience wouldn't allow it. At the end of the day, I love my child with everything in me, and she deserves the best. But I also love YOUR child and believe YOURS does too. That's why I teach. I am NOT tone deaf. I hear it all and I see it all. I just don't believe in quitting on the communities that need me the most. I believe that when we're in service to society (as teachers, at least, are) that as Mary Church Terrell said, we should "lift as we climb". But then again, I'm not a politician. What do I know 🤦🏽♀️😩💔🤷🏽♀️?

As the state sponsor of Attainable, the Massachusetts ABLE Savings Plan, MEFA is always excited about new opportunities for individuals to learn more about the many benefits of ABLE accounts. ABLEtodayorg recently launched the ABLE CLE course with the DC Bar, a class for legal professionals to earn credits towards their continuing education requirements. This informative course provides an overview of how ABLE accounts can positively impact people with disabilities, their families, and their caregivers. It also provides the statutory background on ABLE accounts and explains eligibility requirements, account management, contribution limits, qualified expenses, tax rules, and interactions with benefits programs (such as SSI and Medicaid). Finally, the class provides practice pointers for the usage of ABLE accounts, including working in conjunction with special needs trusts. You can register for the class at bit.ly/3MIJXEw This course is also available for the public on YouTube. While not available for CLE credits, having the course posted on YouTube allows for the public to learn in-depth details about ABLE accounts. You can access the class on YouTube anytime at bit.ly/3MIJXo0

Recently, I had a conversation with one of our colleagues who will be presenting the purpose of 211/LL-988 to legislators during the 211 Day celebration. As we discussed how to frame our work and convey a compelling message, a powerful realization struck me. When advocating for the importance of our line to lawmakers, consider this perspective: their children might be utilizing our services, and their spouses may be reaching out for help without their knowledge. At some point, we may have played a role in preventing someone in their family or friend group from reaching a tragic end. In my experience, I've encountered numerous individuals using our services with 100% confidentiality because they are too afraid to confide in anyone else or believe that no one else will truly listen. This is not a judgment, but a stark reality – many parents, teachers, employers, and friends are often unaware of the struggles faced by those they think they know. When faced with the question of why our work matters, especially from lawmakers, we can convey that it goes beyond what they may comprehend. The world they perceive around them is not the full picture. In our roles, we possess an unprecedented opportunity to peer behind the veil of suffering in our society and be catalysts for positive change. Emphasize that if funding for 988 is withdrawn or withheld, the potential damage to those in need remains unknown. However, what we can be certain of is the immeasurable impact our work has in preventing harm. We hold the power to make a difference, and each call we handle contributes to the well-being of individuals who may otherwise suffer in silence.

Many government programs aim to provide a stable foundation for all families, but fall short due to legacies of racism. Our report from the puts forth a visionary framework with principles for anti-racist policymaking so that all families in the U.S. can live healthy, stable, and economically secure lives. It includes three spotlights from leaders in Puerto Rico, Texas, and the District of Columbia applying these principles to advance racial and economic justice in their communities: the Center for a New Economy, Every Texan, and The Platform of Hope. https://lnkd.in/eG2hU_Jn

Did you know that an individual who receives certain public benefits based on a determination of disability (such as certain categories of Medicaid, Social Security Disability Income, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)) can lose their benefits if they receive an inheritance or a lump sum of funds from a legal settlement or other windfall? This doesn’t have to happen! If you prepare for these situations with appropriate legal planning, there are usually ways to avoid losing public benefits and to preserve the newly acquired funds. Meeting with a certified elder law attorney (CELA) can help you determine what your options are, which could include but are not limited to establishing a Special Needs Trust, doing specific and calculated gifting under specific circumstances (sometimes called a ‘transfer of assets’), or other strategies. The law allows several options for protecting these assets while also maintaining needed public benefits. But without proper planning, public benefit eligibility can be at risk. If you or a loved one receives public benefits and expects to receive a lump sum of funds, you should meet with a certified elder law attorney to discuss options to protect your benefits. Call Stinson Law Firm 317-622-8181. https://lnkd.in/dRtgMNWv

"The Fourth Dimension" is my weekly (and free) Friday newsletter segment where I write about what's happening in the world of Texas policy, politics, and law. I also review the latest Texas Register issue, which is always a great way to kick off your weekend! Would love to have you read and subscribe.

🚨 New Blog Post!! My latest blog article that examines the recent lawsuit against Progressive Insurance is live. With the claims of racial discrimination, where does the line between promoting equity and fostering exclusivity lie? Key Highlights: - The background of the Progressive Insurance lawsuit. - The broader implications for black and minority-owned businesses. - The systemic racism challenges that continue to plague black entrepreneurs. “The Unsettling Reality of Black Businesses and Systemic Racism: A Closer Look at the Progressive Insurance Lawsuit” offers insights into the complexities of modern-day interventions aimed at addressing long-standing disparities. Link to read: https://lnkd.in/eVE3XjTG Share and comment your thoughts! #grantfunding #grantwriter #racialequity #blackentrepreneurs #systemicracism