The Post Secondary Transition Conversation

094. Milestone

Send us a textHosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) take a few minutes to reflect on their journey, now in the fourth season, and the diverse topics they've covered, including interviews, info sessions, and timelines. They celebrate reaching 94 episodes and 5,000 downloads (noting that most podcasts don't surpass seven episodes). They express gratitude for their global audience, mentioning listeners from various countries, and encourage listener feedback and reviews to enhance their reach. Join the conversation!Episode Keywords: podcast, search engine optimization, transition coordinators, listener feedback, episode downloads, global audience, transition topics, community support, milestones, transition commission, political climate, funding concerns, resource links, post secondary transitionSupport the showTo download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

093. To Summer School or Not to Summer School

Send us a textHosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) discuss summer opportunities for students with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of considering alternatives to Extended School Year (ESY) programs. They highlight the benefits of work and volunteer experiences, mentioning resources like DORS and local workforce development programs; they even discuss sleep-away camps as a way to foster independence! Join the conversation! Episode Keywords:Summer opportunities, IEP, extended school year, vocational skills, DORS counselor, work study, volunteer opportunities, sleep-away camps, independence, social opportunities, community involvement, transition specialist, self-directed services, Rec and Parks, Facebook groupsLinks:Vocational Rehabilitive Agency (page) Rehabilitation Services Administration by State (page)Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (page) Ep.19 Work-based School Programs (link) Ep. 21 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (link) Maryland (specific) Links/Supports: Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) (site)Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) (site) Support the showTo download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

092. Interview: Kelly Nelson & Understanding ABLE Accounts_Full Discussion

Send us a textHosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) speak with Kelly Nelson about ABLE accounts, highlighting how they allow individuals with disabilities to save money without affecting SSI, Social Security, or Medicaid eligibility. The conversation covers key features such as tax advantages, online setup, gifting options, prepaid cards, and financial literacy tools, as well as the importance of opening an account early. They also discuss how ABLE funds can be used for health, independence, quality of life expenses, long-term savings, and managing back payments. Join the conversation!Support the showTo download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

091. Interview: Kelly Nelson & Understanding ABLE Accounts Pt. 2

Send us a textHosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) continue their conversation with Kelly Nelson about ABLE accounts, exploring the many benefits and features these accounts offer. The discussion highlights flexibility, tax advantages, and built-in financial literacy tools, including the online gifting page that allows friends and family to contribute, as well as the prepaid card option that helps account holders manage their funds. They also emphasize the importance of opening an ABLE account early to avoid over-resourcing and protect SSI eligibility, and discuss how ABLE accounts can be used for long-term savings, special purchases, and managing back payments. Join the conversation! Episode Keywords:ABLE accounts, financial literacy, gifting page, prepaid card, Maryland ABLE, investment options, SSI benefits, Medicaid, transition process, special needs, back payments, financial management, tax benefits, disability savings, financial independenceLinks: ABLE Today (site) ABLE National Resource Center (site) California ABLE (site) Set up a Gifting page (link) Authorized Legal Representative (ALR) (link) Financial Literacy (article) Bank of New York Mellon (site) VestWell (site) Vanguard (site) Maryland (specific) Links/Supports: Maryland ABLE.org (site)Support the showTo download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

090. Interview: Kelly Nelson & Understanding ABLE Accounts Pt. 1

Send us a textHosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) discuss ABLE accounts with Kelly Nelson. They talk about how ABLE accounts are a financial tool allowing families to save money for individuals with disabilities without affecting their eligibility for other benefits like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and/or Medicaid. They also cover how accounts can be opened online, the criteria for qualifying for an account and how ABLE accounts can be used for expenses related to health, independence, and quality of life (including vacations). Join the conversation!Episode Keywords:ABLE accounts, disability support, financial stability, personal choice, independence, asset protection, Social Security, SSI benefits, Medicaid, special needs trust, 529 rollover, quality of life, authorized legal representative, eligibility criteria, transition processLinks: ABLE National Resource Center (site) Social Security (site)  SSI (site) Medicaid (site) ABLE Age Adjustment Act (page) ALR (Authorized Legal Representative) (page) Guardianship (page) Maryland (specific) Links/Supports: Maryland ABLE.org (site) Support the showTo download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.