Cultivating a Community of Commitment

Held for the second consecutive year, the Advanced Special Needs Planning Symposium brought together professionals dedicated to working with special needs clients for two days worth of advanced learning sessions meant to improve participants’ understanding of special needs, disability, and long-term care planning. According to the managing director of the American College Center for Special Needs Joellen Meckley, JD, MHS, ChSNC®, the event served as a positive sign of The College’s support for advanced continuing education for practitioners in the field that have dedicated much of their practice and lives to serving this unique group of individuals.

Commitment to Quality Education

After initial opening remarks, the Advanced Special Needs Planning Symposium transitioned into its educational sessions. Featuring a number of high profile speakers, these presentations offered attendees insights into advanced techniques to assist special needs clients focused in areas such as tax, care management, housing solutions, advocating for clients, and more. When asked about the value of these sessions, Meckley stated, “People walked out with new tools, tips, techniques, (and) professional connections that they can incorporate into their practice immediately.”

The first day of the symposium ended with a networking reception that allowed the conference’s attendees an opportunity to meet and discuss the day’s events as well as the unique idiosyncrasies of their practice. Meckley, when reflecting on this networking event, stated that it brought a lot of value to attendees by bringing together seasoned professionals who may live across the country from one another to talk about their highly specialized practice and share advice with one another. It also served as a major learning opportunity for newer practitioners, offering them the chance to establish personal connections with veteran advisors. Meckley stated, “That kind of thing always goes hand in hand with this type of planning. It’s always a team effort.”

A Deep Dive on ABLE Accounts

The second day of the symposium kicked off with a learning session led by Jerry Hulick, a principal with Caring Consulting Group, and Eric Ochmanek, program director of ABLE Today. The two provided attendees with a detailed presentation on ABLE accounts and how financial planners can use these accounts to the benefit of their special needs clients. Learners received in-depth information on strategies for leveraging ABLE accounts, updates on legislation regarding these accounts, and specific tips and techniques that could help them make use of the information they were gaining in their own practices.

Closing the Symposium

Meckley shared some encouraging thoughts as the second day drew to a close. 

"A lot of people here are very passionate about what they do and they have this personal sense of meaning in what they do. It's a unique room to be in."

- Joellen Meckley JD, MHS, ChSNC®

By serving this highly specialized group of practitioners who served a very specific client base, Meckley believes The College is making important strides in the field of special needs planning. “We’re…the only conference that I’m aware of that is specifically designed for financial professionals who are practicing (special needs planning)…There’s other education opportunities out there for them, but we are really kind of carving out a path here that is unique to The College.”

By allowing participants to take part in such a gathering, The College demonstrated a strong commitment to the specialized knowledge it touts as the backbone of their educational offerings. By helping experienced professionals become even better at what they do through highly specialized knowledge, The College makes good on its mission to improve society for the betterment of all Americans.

To learn more about The College’s efforts in the special needs community, visit the Center for Special Needs and the Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®) pages.