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

In this episode of the Secured Steps podcast, host Jeff Llewellyn engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Jack Hinman about the challenges faced by young adults, particularly those in the special needs community. They explore the intersection of personal and professional experiences, discussing the importance of family dynamics, developmental milestones, and the crisis of connection in today's youth. Dr. Hinman emphasizes the need for parents to encourage social skills and friendships while also addressing the significance of understanding attachment styles and increasing bandwidth for social interaction. The conversation concludes with success stories and strategies for coaching young adults to foster growth and resilience.

Connect with Jack:
https://engagelifenow.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-hinman-engagelifenow

In this episode of Secured Steps, host Jeff Llewellyn speaks with author Catherine Zoratti about her journey as a parent of two boys, one neurotypical and one neurodiverse. They discuss the inspiration behind her book 'Hello Saturday', the importance of finding joy in unexpected places, and the challenges of defining 'typical' in parenting. Catherine shares insights on building connections with like-minded families, the significance of advocacy for neurodiverse children, and the balancing act of meeting the needs of siblings. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-care for parents and the value of children's literature in shaping perspectives.

You can purchase Hello Saturday here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJN14NJD/

Connect here:

https://nonverbalkids.com/

https://www.instagram.com/nonverbalkids/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/920212136370668117/