YANA Nation - Serving the Special Needs Community

In this episode, we discuss financial security with tax lawyer and financial planner Thomas Foley of the National Disability Institute, who has more than 30 years of experience serving the disability community by working toward greater economic inclusion. As a person who is blind, Mr. Foley has been an advocate and dedicated his career to partnering with other thought leaders to address the complex drivers of economic inequality and create pathways to employment and financial security for the most vulnerable communities. 

A true servant leader in the medical field, Dr. Stephen Shaya discusses building the bridges needed to get people all over the globe access to healthcare. Listen as Rick unearths the efforts Dr. Stephen Shaya has made to walk in the steps of his late father and continue the legacy with which Dr. Fawzi Basheer Shaya graced the world. 

Join us as we chat with Jennifer Puckett, founder of Therabeat, Inc., that provides individual and group Therapy Sessions, Adaptive Lessons, and Harmony Kids classes.

The founder and CEO of One Leg Up Productions, Pauline Victoria was born without arms and legs and has an amazing heart to “engage, encourage and empower” people with and without disabilities. Her philosophy is “You are not at the mercy of the deck life handed you. Each of us are born to be victorious.”As a person with a disability and a respected advocate in the disability community, Pauline relates to her audience in a powerfully unique way. Pauline founded One Leg Up Productions LLC to focus on engaging, entertaining, and empowering people with disabilities and all abilities to rise above their own circumstances to realize their full potential.To learn more about Pauline and her inspiring story, visit her website, paulinevictoria.com.

Clarene Radford discusses the joys of being the mother to Marissa, a wonderful young woman who refuses to let Downs Syndrome get in her way. Hear their inspiring story as Clarene advocates for her daughter and helps others - from the church to doctors - understand special needs.

Anna has been advocating for families with autism since her daughter, Ava, was diagnosed with autism at the age of two-and-a-half. Anna became a driving force behind “Ava’s Law,” which was passed by the Georgia Legislature in 2015 and requires insurance companies to cover evidence-based treatment for autism. The following year, she partnered with families and Autism Speaks to secure $30 million in the state Medicaid budget for autism services. In 2018, Anna championed the removal of unnecessary age caps for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment in Georgia. She has also succeeded in earning school district contracts for ABA in underserved areas.Prior to joining ChanceLight, Anna worked as Director of Family Connections, a statewide network dedicated to empowering communities to provide services for families and children in need. She has served on numerous committees and study groups to develop policies related to services for autism, and in 2015, Anna was awarded the National “Speak Out” award from Bob and Suzanne Wright, founders of Autism Speaks, for her advocacy efforts.

One of the toughest questions parents of children with special needs are faced with is how to balance saving for retirement and passing on assets to their kids without jeopardizing the child's much-needed government benefits. How can a family plan for retirement when money is tight? Will saving and investing cause a family to be ineligible for help? YANA Nation host Rick Knight breaks it all down.

Elana’s consulting practice specializes in Consultation, Program Design, Curriculum Development, Training, and Advocacy for staff and participants engaged in Post-Secondary Disability Educational programs, Life Skills and Transition programs, Private and Public Community-Based Disability Initiatives and Workplace Disability programs. In her private practice Elana offers Individualized Transition Support & Planning for late adolescents, young adults and adults with the following challenges: Autism Spectrum Disorder (including Asperger’s), diagnoses related to developmental delays, learning disabilities, executive function challenges, chronic anxiety and social-emotional difficulties.She has presented through organizations such as Florida State University Autism Institute, Center for Autism and Related Disorders and PEPSA (Partnership for Effective Programs for Students With Autism); The Autism Society Of America, Interdisciplinary Council For Learning and Developmental Disorders (ICDL), All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD), Decatur Rotary Club, Decatur Business Association and The Atlanta Autism Consortium. Elana sits on the Emory University Autism Center ITAP (Individualized Transition to Adulthood) Advisory Board. She has also worked with Georgia Technology Institute’s EXCEL Program, an inclusive post-secondary program for individuals with developmental disabilities. She consults with staff on executive function, sexuality. learning and social cognition support for students. In addition, Elana runs monthly social pragmatics/executive function groups with all EXCEL students. Elana has earned certifications as a DIR/Floortime Practitioner, a Developmental Disability Sexuality Educator and a Young Adult PEERS Program Facilitator. Over the last 15 years she has conducted teacher trainings and student seminars in special needs and mainstream public and private schools as well as transition programs at universities and colleges in the United States and the Caribbean.

Zenobia Rainey, Chief Program Officer for InCommunity, is responsible for overseeing all of the agency’s community-based programs. She creates, implements, and revises policies and procedures for operations of all programs, ensuring compliance with the rules and regulations of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) and Department of Community Health (DCH). She is a Licensed MSW with over 25 years of experience working with the DD community.

Sheryl Arno has been in the field of developmental disabilities for 29 years. While she started working in the field with children, she has spent most of her career focusing on transition to adulthood and adult life. Sheryl was the creator of the Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) movement in Georgia. She started with Kennesaw State University and now there are 8 programs around the state including in all of the major colleges. Sheryl is a consultant with the Georgia State’s Center for Leadership and Disability as a parent liaison supporting the GAIPSEC.Currently Sheryl is the Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta; a role she has served in for the past four years. As Executive Director, she has been able to be a resource to families trying to get through all of the complicated systems that parents transition through. Under her guidance, DSAA now supports individuals with Down Syndrome throughout their lifespan.Sheryl also has a private consulting agency, Ability Matters LLC. She and a team of experienced professionals work privately with individuals and families to get through various systems, while providing support and advocacy for individuals that are developmentally disabled.While Sheryl is very busy with her work, one of her most special jobs, is overseeing the support for her best friend/mentor’s daughter, Lori. Lori is 49 years old, has been married for 17 years and has worked at Children’s Healthcare for 8 years. Lori has Down Syndrome! Sheryl has been married for 29 years and has 3 children.

Dr. Saulnier is a clinical psychologist with expertise in the diagnostic evaluation of individuals with autism spectrum and related disorders from infancy through adulthood. For nearly 20 years, she worked in academic settings conducting research on autism at the Yale Child Study Center in Connecticut and then in Atlanta at the Marcus Autism Center and Emory University School of Medicine. In 2018, she opened her own diagnostic clinic and consulting company, Neurodevelopmental Assessment & Consulting Services in Decatur, GA, and she remains an Adjunct Associate Professor at Emory. Dr. Saulnier has written two books, Essentials of Autism Spectrum Disorders Evaluation and Assessment and Essentials of Adaptive Behavior Assessment of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and she is co-author of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition.

The cost of raising a child, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will take roughly$240,000 from birth to age 18. For a special needs child, those expenses can quadruple.Eighty-eight percent of parents who have children with special needs have not set up a trust to preserve eligibility for benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Social Income.Due to the advances in medication and technology many children with special needs will outlive their parent or guardian and there is one question, that must be answered: What would happen to a child with special needs when something happens to the parentfirst?More than 59% of caregivers say there is too little information available about financial assistance (benefits and support provided by government agencies); and 55% say that such information is very difficult to find. YANA Nation is changing that.Purpose of the Complete Life Planning Guide for Special Needs Families Online ProgramThe purpose of the Complete Life Planning Guide for Special Needs Families Online Program is to provide information exclusively for those with differing abilities that will aid in securing self-sufficiency, independence and will accomplish the following:Raise financial literacy awareness in the special needs community.Address the crucial concern of financial planning for special needs individuals who have outlived their parent or caregiver.Define and outline government benefits for the special needs communityProvide ongoing education tools for parents and guardians who have children with special needs.Our goal is to start the conversation to bring the special needs community out of theshadows and equip them with the tools and knowledge necessary to successfullynavigate financial future.

Trina Smith discusses IEP's and how the Clayton County School District is working to ensure that families are well-equipped to handle virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Smith is the Director of the Exceptional Students Department for Clayton County Schools, which support and serves students with disabilities through providing appropriate instructional supports and services for a free, appropriate public education as appropriate for student progress.From the Department website:The Department of Exceptional Students is proud of the support available for providing high quality education to meet the individual needs of students ages three through twenty-one who are eligible for special education and related services according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Our Department is committed to our stakeholders, which is demonstrated in our positive partnerships with families which enable students to reach their full academic potential. A full continuum of services and resources are available to meet the unique need of students with disabilities. Supports range from less restrictive to more restrictive environments, depending on the specific needs of the student. The department also supports schools in ensuring students with disabilities appropriately access the Georgia Performance Standards and provide specialized instruction as determined necessary by the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) plan. Additionally, the department assists in the assessment process for determining special education eligibility. In collaboration with students, schools, families, and the community, the Department of Special Education assists students with disabilities in increasing academic performance and enhancing post-secondary options.Services provided through the Department of Exceptional Students include (but are not limited to):Develop, review, and implement the Individualized Education Program (IEP) plansProvide a continuum of service supports to assist students in the general education curriculum in a variety of waysConduct educational testing and determine eligibility for special education services in conjunction with the Department of Psychological ServicesLead and Facilitate Professional Development related to needs of teachers and studentsAccommodate and Modify Instruction according to IEP needsPresent educational information to students through Specially Designed Instructional support servicesFacilitate parent outreach and educate and support familiesProvide opportunities for student engagement in the community through programs, work training, and athletic and extracurricular assistanceOffer specialized preschool Special Education Services through a continuum of supportReview and provide specialized supports for autism, behavior, speech, occupational and physical therapy and many other specialized service areasTrain teachers and support staff to provide medical support services as neededProvide and maintain adaptive equipment as neededUtilize, provide, and train students, teachers, and parents on a variety of appropriate Assistive Technology resources

Laura Akins is an attorney practicing in the areas of special needs planning, estate planning, elder law and probate with Nadler Biernath.Assisting her clients in planning for family emergencies, finding solutions for complicated mixed family circumstances and for the end of life is where Laura has dedicated her entire legal career. After a loved one has experienced a catastrophe or passed away, Laura helps clients navigate through the probate procedure and legalities.As a native Atlantan, Laura appreciates the opportunity to serve her hometown community. With patience and empathy, she guides her clients through the often overwhelming estate planning or probate processes. Laura finds it incredibly rewarding to connect with her clients and make difficult circumstances easier

Dr. Zelphine Smith-Dixon is the State Director for the Division for Special Education at the Georgia Department of Education and we are so thankful that she sat down with the YANA Nation podcast to discuss how COVID has interrupted the school curriculum for all children all over the State of Georgia. She has a longstanding history of improving achievement for schools in SC and GA and a global pandemic is not slowing her down. Dr. Smith-Dixon recognizes that since so many benefits and regulations weren't written for a pandemic, things are extra difficult for families with special needs children. Dr. Smith-Dixon encourages everyone to look at what the regulations are asking and bring innovation and bring a team approach."Families should still be able to expect faith," Dr. Smith-Dixon said. "There is still an expectation that students with disabilities need a free, appropriate, public education."As the Tri-County Special Educator of the Year, Vance-Providence Elementary Teacher of the Year and Orangeburg Consolidated School District Three Alternate District Teacher of the Year, we know that the special needs students of Georgia are in good hands. In April 2018, Columbia College presented her with the Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator Award. Later, she served as the Columbia College Commencement Speaker in May 2019. Currently Dr. Smith-Dixon is President-Elect for the National Association of State Directors of Special Education. She serves in ministry at the dReam Center Church of Atlanta in Decatur, Georgia and is a member of the Covington Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Mr. Uitvlugt, co-founder of Eaton Academy, is the former Headmaster of Atlanta New Century School. He was also the Director of Fine Arts and Publications for Brandon Hall School. Mr. Uitvlugt, a graduate of the University of Michigan, served as the Executive Director of the Accrediting Commission for Independent Study in Georgia. He has more than thirty-one years' experience as a teacher and an administrator.As a certified counselor with more than thirteen years of experience in the world of education, Kris Fix is the perfect person to lead the LEAP Program at the Eaton Academy, where the mission is to develop education solutions in a K-12 academic environment devoted to meeting students’ individual needs. Kris has served as a school counselor and professional life coach/transition counselor and is authorized by the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Association to provide services for adolescents, which he does so well within LEAP. Standing for "Learn, Experience, Adapt, Prepare," LEAP is an innovative post-secondary program designed for individuals who want to strengthen their overall life skills in order to achieve independence. Participants benefit from job readiness training, life skill development, and extensive social skill instruction. The goal of the program is to produce independent young adults with developmental disabilities by helping them improve their job-related, social/emotional, and communications skills. LEAP fosters relationships with local businesses to help participants gain real-life job experience with the aim of obtaining employment upon completion of the program and evaluates participants’ specific skills and needs in order to help them create a plan for future success. Even with the COVID pandemic changing the landscape of education nationwide, Kris and the LEAP team still made their Summer LEAP Program possible with the help of Google Classroom and virtual learning, and have worked tirelessly to provide participants with classes right from the comfort of home that touch on a number of topics, including: · social skills· anxiety and stress management· art therapy· personal finance· job readiness / interview skills· communications and role-play· cooking· independent living skillsFor questions regarding the program, reach out to Kris Fix at kfix@eatonacademy.org or for more info on the program, please call 770-645-2673, ext. 242 to speak with Admissions Director Margie Cohan, or email her at mcohan@eatonacademy.org.

YANA Nation host Rick Knight fills us in on changes with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the 116th U.S. Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020 in response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

4/18/20 – Understanding the Stimulus Package and Eligibility – Host Rick Knight by Rick Knight

Coping While Sheltering in Place - Guest Amber Chambers, Clinical Director BDI by Rick Knight

Attaining Guardianship of Your Adult Child – Guest Barbara Glover, Exec Director of Eyaam by Rick Knight

Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities – Guest Eric Jacobson, Director by Rick Knight

COVID and Understanding the CARES ACT – Host Rick Knight by Rick Knight

Coping with Covid in the Special Needs Community – Host Rick Knight by Rick Knight

Talent Show for Children Who Have Special Needs - Host Rick Knight by Rick Knight

2/29/20 – Self Information - Host Rick Knight by Rick Knight

Understanding special needs advocacy – Host Rick Knight by Rick Knight

Spectrum, Special Needs Family Support Agency – Guest Clare Dees, Executive Director by Rick Knight

Special Needs School of Gwinnett – Guest Crystal Kenney, Assistant Director by Rick Knight

Changing Policy for the Alzheimer’s Community – Marylea Boatright, Director of Government Affairs by Rick Knight

Structured Family Interventions – Guest Christina Simmons, Program Director

House of Artist for Actors with Autism – Guest Ashley Drayton, Founder by Rick Knight

Poverty in the Special Needs Community – Host Rick Knight by Rick Knight

Protecting Your Retirement – Host Rick Knight by Rick Knight

Alzheimer’s Association of Georgia – Linda Davidson, Executive Director by Rick Knight

ABLE Act Q&A – Host Rick Knight by Rick Knight

Brain-Based Trauma injuries with guest Stephanie Freeman, Founder of Share Your Strong