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Long Term Planning for Persons with Disabilities

What Is It?

The families of persons with disabilities have long been concerned about who will care for their loved ones when they are no longer able. As families begin planning their estates, they quickly realize that any direct commitment to their child may jeopardize their services from the government. There are two agencies available to assist families in these planning decisions.
Who Provides These Services?

Missouri Family Trust

Was established by State Statute and is overseen by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor. These contributions which may be made over a period of time are pooled and invested with separate accounts set up within the pool for each beneficiary. By pooling the donations, there should be greater return on each investment and administrative costs are spread out among many donors. This approach will be most valuable to lower and middle income families who cannot normally afford to set up a trust. Any citizen of Missouri with a disability is eligible to participate as a beneficiary in the trust.

Life Care Planning, Inc.

Was founded in 1987 as a program of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Kansas City and became a separate corporation in 1988. Life Care Planning, Inc. has two objectives: see that parents have peace of mind concerning the future care of their child and to ensure that the child receives the very best care. Services available to families residing in Jackson, Platte and Ray counties include:
  • Educating families as to the need to do long term planning for their child
  • Properly including care of your child in a will
  • Establishing a trust to maintain child/ adult eligibility for Medicaid and protect assets
  • Suggesting suitable Co-Trustees to administer the trust
  • Helping family identify appropriate guardian or conservator to oversee the proper care of their child. Providing services as advocate for child in conjunction with guardian.
  • Acting as an advocate for individual after parents have passed away.
  • Dealing with governmental regulations and finding other resources to assist in planning and administering care for your child.
  • Describing how to properly distribute assets once your child no longer needs them.
  • Finding answers to a wide of range of questions concerning the future care of your child.
How Do I Obtain Information About These Services For My Family?

Missouri Family Trust
Contact the Executive Director
Missouri Department of Mental Health
P.O. Box 687
Jefferson City, Missouri 64105
573.751.4122
Life Care Planning, Inc.
Contact the Executive Director
4400 Madison, Suite 102
Kansas City, Missouri 64111
816.931.1313 to arrange a personal appointment
Family pays a minimal fee.

2002