National PLAN Alliance

Barb Helm elected to National PLAN Alliance board of directors

Posted on by Arcare

As part of the vital role Arcare plays in helping individuals with disabilities and their families, we are a proud member of the National PLAN Alliance. NPA is the only non-profit organization in America dedicated solely to meeting the planning needs of families with adult children having lifelong disabilities.

PLAN (Planned Lifetime Assistance Network) programs were founded to assist families in planning for the future care of loved ones with lifelong disabilities. Established as a tax-exempt non-profit organization in 1997, the National PLAN Alliance is the umbrella organization for 18 PLAN affiliates in 22 states.

NPA provides a variety of vital support services to existing and new programs, such as program and board development, feasibility surveys, fund raising, marketing, conferences and strategic planning assistance to its affiliate PLAN programs.

Recently, our Executive Director, Barb Helm, was elected to the NPA Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of volunteer and staff leaders, as well as family members representing the 22 affiliates. Barb’s leadership, knowledge and experience are a welcome addition to the Board. Because of her involvement in the Arcare Pooled Trust Program, she will be integral to the continued growth and evolution of this aspect of support NPA provides its state PLAN programs.

For more information about National PLAN Alliance, visit http://www.nationalplanalliance.org/.

Arcare Provides Pooled Trusts Testimony

Arcare provides expert testimony on pooled trusts in Iowa

Posted on by Arcare

On February 24, Arcare served as an expert on pooled trusts in front of the Iowa Legislature. Our testimony was in support of a new law that would basically negate Section 633C.2 of the existing Iowa law regulating medical assistance trusts.

633C.2 Disposition of medical assistance special needs trusts.
Regardless of the terms of a medical assistance special needs trust, any income received or asset added to the trust during a one-month period shall be expended as provided for medical assistance income trusts under section 633C.3, on a monthly basis, during the life of the beneficiary. Any increase in income or principal retained in the trust from a previous month may be expended, during the life of the beneficiary, only for reasonable and necessary expenses of the trust, not to exceed ten dollars per month without court approval, for special needs of the beneficiary attributable to the beneficiary’s disability and approved by the district court, for medical care or services that would otherwise be covered by medical assistance under chapter 249A, or to reimburse the state for medical assistance paid on behalf of the beneficiary.

This restrictive clause hinders persons with disability to benefit from distributions currently allowed through special needs trusts by federal regulation.

To view the complete testimony, click here.