Thank you to our amazing year-round partner, PLAN of MA and RI! This year, they were the Presenting Sponsor of our spring and fall event series including the 2024 Friendship Walks, Hyannisport Golf Tournament, and Evening of Opportunity Gala.

PLAN offers a variety of services that can improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One example of how they do this is in regards to transportation. Accessibility to regularly scheduled transportation is critical for our beneficiaries with limited mobility. This transportation allows a person the ability to attend important life events and provides a strong sense of inclusion. Mary, who has a physical impairment, requires wheelchair accessible transportation. During a scheduled visit with her PLAN Social Worker, Mary expressed that she really wanted to visit her family who reside across the Massachusetts State line. Unfortunately, this area is outside of the approved travel area covered by her approved subsidized transportation, and this visit does not meet the criteria for medical appointment transportation.

Part of the mission at PLAN of MA & RI is to focus on enhancing the quality of life of our beneficiaries. Mary’s Special Needs Trust can be used to help pay for transportation services that fall outside the realm of those transportation services covered by MassHealth, out-of-area specialized transportation services for people with disabilities, or public subsidized transportation. The Trust can pay for transportation needs that her public benefits do not cover or are restricted due to geography. Mary’s Social Worker advocated for the funds in her Special Needs Trust to be used for specialized transportation that took Mary to visit her family, attend a family function, and enjoy a wonderful holiday dinner with loved ones! Mary plans to take another trip in the near future!

PLAN has also brought inclusion all the way to the Massachusetts State House! Learn more about the Long-Term Care Bill that was signed in 2024 by Governor Maura Healey here.

Thank you again to PLAN for their support in 2024! To learn more about how they can support you and your loved ones, visit their website here!