May 17, 2025 | 9:15 AM
Future Forward: Planning for Life beyond Transition
An in-person, Saturday Transition Symposium focused on planning a life beyond the transition from high school.
Overview
Future Forward: Planning for Life beyond Transition
Join us Saturday, May 17, 2025 for an in-person transition event focused on planning a life beyond the transition from high school.
Designed for families, caregivers of young adults and professionals, this interactive sessions will include:
- Building a Transition Life Plan.
- Everything you need to know about Special Needs Trusts.
- How to maximize SSI, SSDI, insurance, SNAP, Section 8 housing, utility discounts, and how to combine these benefits.
- Coffee, pastries and lunch
- Opportunity to connect with other parents and professionals about transition.
Overview
Schedule
9:15 am – 9:30 am: Coffee and Welcome
9:30 am – 10:00 am: Building a Transition Life Plan
10:00 am – 11:15 am: Financial Benefits Through Transition and Beyond!
11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Special Needs Trusts
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm: Networking and Questions
Speakers
Session topics
9:15 am – 9:30 a.m.
Coffee and welcome
Speaker: Alexandra LaVoie, director, Perkins Transition Center
Join us for coffee and pastries, meet fellow attendees, and gear up for an engaging day ahead. Our Transition Center Director will kick things off and introduce the event.
9:30 am – 10:00 a.m.
Building a Transition Life Plan
Speaker: Ann Phelan
This talk is designed to help parents prepare for the future by addressing the sensitive but crucial task of organizing and sharing important information with loved ones before they pass away. We’ll discuss how to create clear, accessible plans that ensure your family is informed and prepared for decisions regarding finances, healthcare, legal matters, and personal wishes.
10:00 am – 11:15 a.m.
Financial Benefits Through Transition and Beyond!
Speaker: Lydia Sheehey
Government financial benefits play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. In this session, we’ll explore how to maximize resources like SSI, SSDI, insurance, SNAP, Section 8 housing, utility discounts, and more. We’ll show you how to combine these benefits so your loved one can not only meet their basic needs but also have extra funds for the things that matter most. You’ll leave with practical tips to help plan for their future with confidence.
11:30 am – 12:30 p.m.
Special Needs Trusts
Speaker: Karen Mariscal
Learn what a special needs trust is and how it can be used to protect your child financially, after you pass away. Topics will include what is a special needs trust, how to establish one, what can a special needs trust pay for, what is a trustee and how do you select one, and how to fund the trust so that your child is protected after you pass away.
12:30 pm – 1:00 p.m.
Networking and questions
We’ll conclude with an interactive lunch session, recap the morning’s highlights, and open the floor for a Q&A. Attendees will have a chance to dive deeper into any topics discussed by our speakers, and connect with other families and professionals.
Register today
To help cover our costs, there is a $25 registration fee ($30 for couples/families) which includes lunch. Please reach out if you cannot afford the registration cost. Unfortunately, we’re not able to offer refunds; please know that every dollar goes toward supporting our work, offering resources and free online events to families.
We’ll send you all of the details shortly after you register.
Media permission notice: by attending this event, you grant permission to Perkins School for the Blind to use your image and likeness in any and all media, including websites, publications or any social media around this event, without compensation or further approval.
Event information
Dietary restrictions
Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions.
Location and address
The event will take place at Perkins School for the Blind in the Lower School Auditorium, 175 North Beacon Street Watertown, 02472.
Parking
Coming from Watertown Square, drive through the first gate on the right off of North Beacon Street. This is separate from the main gate. Take a right to the parking lot and look for signs to the event at the Lower School Auditorium.
Visit our Transition Center
Explore our tailored programs for students and resources for families and caregivers. Join our Transition workshops and supportive caregiver community. Let’s navigate the journey from high school to adulthood together.