Secured Steps

Creating a special needs trust is an important milestone—but signing the document is not the same as completing the plan.

In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn explores a question families may not ask until it is too late: Will the money in a special needs trust last throughout the beneficiary’s lifetime?

Jeff discusses why the trust’s starting balance does not tell the whole story, how inflation and changing support needs can affect the plan, and why families should think carefully about the expenses the trust may be expected to cover. He also explains the importance of modeling different scenarios, stress-testing assumptions, coordinating trust distributions with government benefits, and periodically revisiting the plan as circumstances change.

The episode also examines potential funding sources, including family savings, ABLE accounts, support from extended family members, and life insurance, while emphasizing that no single strategy is appropriate for every family.

Jeff Llewellyn is a Principal at Rockwood Wealth Management, an independent wealth management firm based in New Hope, Pennsylvania. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, a Chartered Special Needs Consultant®, and the father of an adult daughter with autism.

Learn more about Rockwood’s special needs financial planning services at:

www.rockwoodwealth.com/snfp

This podcast is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial, investment, tax, legal, or benefits advice. Special needs trusts and government-benefit rules are highly fact-specific and may vary by state. Consult qualified professionals who understand your family’s circumstances before implementing a planning strategy.

IEP meetings can feel overwhelming for families. There are acronyms, evaluations, goals, services, timelines, and sometimes an uncomfortable feeling that everyone else at the table understands the system better than you do.

In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff is joined by Dr. Diana Fannon, an experienced special education professional and advocate whose background includes work as a teacher, school psychologist, and Director of Special Education. Through her work with Disability Ed Pros, Dr. Fannon helps parents better understand the educational system and advocate more confidently for their children. 

Together, Jeff and Diana discuss how families can approach the IEP process with more clarity, preparation, and confidence. The conversation draws from Diana’s years of special education advocacy and focuses on what parents can do before, during, and after the meeting to become stronger partners in the process.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why IEP meetings can feel so intimidating for parents
• What families should understand before walking into the room
• How to prepare without feeling like you need to become an expert overnight
• The difference between disagreement and conflict
• How parents can ask better questions during the IEP process
• Why goals, services, accommodations, and placement need to connect to the child’s real needs
• How families can advocate firmly while preserving working relationships
• The importance of high expectations for students with disabilities
• What to do when the plan looks good on paper but does not seem to be working in practice

For many families, the IEP is one of the first major systems they have to learn to navigate. And like many disability-related systems, it can feel technical, emotional, and high-stakes all at once.

At Secured Steps, we often talk about the importance of structure. That same idea applies here. When parents understand the process, prepare their questions, and know what they are trying to protect, the IEP meeting becomes less intimidating and more productive.

Guest

Dr. Diana Fannon
Special education advocate, educator, and founder of Disability Ed Pros. Dr. Fannon’s work focuses on helping parents navigate IEPs with confidence and supporting more inclusive educational practices for students with disabilities. 

Listen if you are:

• A parent preparing for an IEP meeting
• A caregiver trying to better understand special education services
• A professional supporting families with children who have disabilities
• An advocate, educator, or advisor looking for a parent-centered view of the IEP process

Disclaimer

This episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, educational, financial, or individualized planning advice. Every family’s situation is unique, and families should consult the appropriate professionals for guidance specific to their child and circumstances.

Connect with Diana at https://www.disabilityedpros.com/opt-in-inclusionadvocaytoolkit.

Connect with Jeff at https://rockwoodwealth.com/special-needs-financial-planning/

In this episode of Secured Steps, I sit down with Daniel Hodges, JD, MHA for an important conversation about accessibility, authentic inclusion, and what it really takes to build a society that better supports people with disabilities.

Daniel is a thought leader in the disability community and the President and Cofounder of Peaces of Me Foundation, a nonprofit he launched while still in law school. The foundation’s mission is to transform society through community education, innovative professional training, and meaningful connections to resources that help break the stigma surrounding disabilities of all kinds.

As someone who lives with multiple disabilities himself, Daniel brings both professional insight and lived experience to this conversation. We talk about the deeper meaning of inclusion, the barriers that still exist in workplaces and communities, and why education and awareness are such critical parts of lasting change.

Daniel also shares more about his own path, the work of Peaces of Me Foundation, and how each of us can play a role in creating a more accessible and inclusive world.

This is a thoughtful, meaningful episode for families, professionals, advocates, and anyone who wants to better understand what authentic inclusion looks like in practice.

About Daniel Hodges:
Daniel Hodges, JD, MHA, is a thought leader on accessibility and authentic inclusion of people with disabilities. He is the President and Cofounder of Peaces of Me Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming society through community education, innovative professional training, and connections to relevant resources that break the stigma surrounding disabilities of all kinds.

Daniel founded the organization while in law school and brings a powerful blend of leadership, advocacy, and lived experience to his work. He earned his Juris Doctorate from The University of Baltimore and his Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Western Governors’ University.

Connect with Daniel and Peaces of Me Foundation:
 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacesofmefoundation?igshid=MTNiYzNiMzkwZA==
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeacesOfMeFoundation?mibextid=vk8aRt
 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/8qBcFK55wuRLJkYL/?mibextid=A7sQZp
 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peaces-of-me-foundation/
 X: https://x.com/PeacesofMeFdn?t=5aDeXvRGoJrwITeUyAr1SQ&s=09
 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peacesofmefoundation247

Listen, follow, and share:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Secured Steps, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares about building a more inclusive world.

In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn breaks down the tax moves special needs families miss most and explains how to think more strategically about taxes throughout the year. From credits versus deductions to medical expenses, adult dependents, ABLE accounts, and trust coordination, Jeff shares practical insights to help families ask better questions and avoid costly oversights. If you care for a loved one with disabilities and want a clearer, more confident approach to tax planning, this episode is for you. 

 #DisabilityPlanning
 #TaxPlanning 

If you’re a parent of a child with special needs, saving for your own retirement can sometimes feel selfish — even risky. But what if prioritizing your financial security actually strengthens your child’s future instead of threatening it?

In this episode, I unpack one of the most emotionally loaded questions families ask: how to balance retirement planning with long-term financial planning for a child with disabilities. We explore the real trade-offs, common mistakes parents make, and how an integrated strategy can protect both your independence and your child’s lifelong care needs.

You’ll learn how retirement security, Special Needs Trust funding, ABLE accounts, government benefits, and estate planning all work together — not against each other. Most importantly, you’ll leave with a practical framework to help reduce guilt, increase clarity, and move forward with confidence.

If you’d like more guidance on special needs financial planning, visit www.rockwoodwealth.com/snfp to explore ways we help families build secure futures. 

A special needs trust can be one of the most important tools in a disability family’s plan—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, I break down what a special needs trust is, how it works, and why it matters if SSI and Medicaid benefits are part of your loved one’s support system (now or in the future). You’ll walk away with a clear, plain-English understanding of the structure, the key players, the main trust types, and the practical mistakes to avoid.

In this episode, we cover:

• What a special needs trust is (in plain English)
• The problem it solves: protecting eligibility for means-tested benefits like SSI and Medicaid
• How special needs trusts work mechanically (trustee control + distribution rules)
• The 3 most common types of special needs trusts:
  • Third-party special needs trust
  • First-party (self-settled) special needs trust
  • Pooled special needs trust
• What a trust can pay for (and where families need to be careful)
• The 5 biggest mistakes that create benefit issues and family stress
• A simple checklist of next steps to get your plan aligned

Helpful next step

If you’re trying to make sure your trust planning fits with the rest of your financial plan—beneficiary designations, titling, ABLE accounts, benefits, and long-term family goals—you can learn more about working with my team here: www.rockwoodwealth.com/snfp

Opening an ABLE account shouldn’t feel like a research project. In this episode, I walk you through how to open an ABLE account step-by-step—from confirming eligibility, to choosing the right state plan, to completing the online application and setting up contributions so the account actually gets used.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• What an ABLE account is (and what it’s designed to do)
• How to choose an ABLE plan (you’re not always limited to your home state)
• What information you’ll need before you start the application
• The step-by-step process to open an ABLE account online

Helpful resource

• ABLE National Resource Center – State Plan Comparison Tool: https://www.ablenrc.org/compare-states/
  (Use this to compare fees, investment options, and features across state ABLE plans side-by-side.)

Want help building the full plan?

If you’d like help navigating ABLE accounts (and how they fit into your bigger financial plan—benefits, trusts, investments, cash flow, and long-term planning), you can learn more about working with my team here: www.rockwoodwealth.com/snfp

Subscribe / Follow / Share

If this episode helped, please subscribe and share it with another parent or professional who’s trying to make sense of ABLE accounts.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is one of the most important — and misunderstood — disability benefits for families. In this episode, Jeff Llewellyn explains how SSI works, who qualifies, and why age 18 is a critical planning milestone for individuals with disabilities.

You’ll learn how income and asset limits apply, what changes when parental finances no longer count, and why SSI often becomes the gateway to adult Medicaid and long-term services. Jeff also covers common planning tools — including ABLE accounts and Special Needs Trusts — and explains how to avoid benefit reductions caused by In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM).

This episode is ideal for parents, caregivers, and professionals looking for clear, practical guidance on SSI eligibility, transition planning, and long-term financial stability.

In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn sits down with Brian Klazmer of Klazmer Financial Group for a deep conversation on how life and disability insurance really works for families with loved ones with special needs.

We unpack the essentials — from the structure of permanent vs. term coverage to advanced strategies like second-to-die policies, funding Special Needs Trusts, insuring caregivers, and coordinating coverage with SSI/Medicaid planning. Brian brings decades of experience and a clear, practical perspective families rarely get to hear.

You’ll learn:

• Why life insurance plays a unique role in special-needs financial planning
• Common mistakes families make when selecting coverage
• How to structure policies to support a Special Needs Trust
• The difference between insuring parents vs. siblings
• Underwriting considerations for families navigating disability
• When to review, replace, or reinforce existing coverage
• How life insurance integrates with your overall financial plan

Whether you’re a parent, a caregiver, or a professional serving families, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence you need to move forward with a safer, more sustainable plan.

Learn more about the Klazmer Financial Group (www.klazmerfinancial.com) and explore Rockwood Wealth Management (www.rockwoodwealth.com/special-needs-financial-planning).

In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn sits down with Stephanie Lee Jackson, founder of Practical Sanctuary to explore how the spaces we live in can help — or hinder — our nervous systems.

Stephanie designs sensory-smart interiors for families, caregivers, and individuals with special needs. Together, we talk about how intentional design can reduce overwhelm, support regulation, and create calm, functional environments that truly meet your family’s needs.

You’ll learn:
🏡 How light, texture, layout, and color affect your nervous system
🧠 Why designing with regulation in mind is essential for neurodivergent and special-needs individuals
💬 Simple changes families can make to create more supportive and soothing spaces
💗 How caregivers can benefit from environments that restore their energy

Whether you’re a parent, professional, or planner, this conversation will help you rethink the role of your home — not just as a place to live, but as part of your care system.

🔗 Learn more about Stephanie Lee Jackson:
🌐 Website: https://practicalsanctuary.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicalsanctuary/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieleejacksonpracticalsanctuary/

About Secured Steps:
Hosted by Jeff Llewellyn, CFA®, CFP®, ChSNC®, Secured Steps is a series dedicated to helping families and professionals navigate life, money, and disability planning with clarity and confidence.
Learn more at https://rockwoodwealth.com/snfp

#SensoryDesign #Neurodiversity #SpecialNeedsFamilies #CaregiverWellbeing #HomeEnvironment #PracticalSanctuary #SecuredStepsPodcast #DisabilityPlanning