News

Achieva Family Trust Hosts National Leadership Consortium Speakers at Conference to Address Families of People with Disabilities


For Immediate Release                                       
 
Lisa Razza, Director of Communications
412.995.5000 x410
lrazza@achieva.info

Pittsburgh, PA (October 20, 2022) - Achieva Family Trust is hosting the second annual Focus on the Future conference, a hybrid event dedicated to helping people who have a family member with a disability plan for their unique day-to-day and long-term needs. People with disabilities, as well as their families and caregivers, are encouraged to attend. Service providers are also welcome.

The event is scheduled for October 25, 2022, at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit from 8:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Guests who wish to attend in person or remotely can register online. There is no charge to attend the conference in person or virtually.

Keynote speakers from the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities, Caitlin Bailey, Ph.D., Co-Director, and Cory Gilden, Ph.D., Research and Evaluation Manager,  will provide valuable recommendations for improving access to resources in the future planning process for individuals and families. Bailey states, “Today, many people with disabilities are living longer and striving to enjoy productive, self-directed lives, making the need for future financial planning more critical than ever before. However, most adults with disabilities do not have a plan in place to secure their future financial well-being due to numerous personal, systemic, and societal barriers.”

Amy Dolan Strano, Achieva Family Trust President, said, “The research of the National Leadership Consortium team highlights the significance of future planning for all people with disabilities and what can be done to support individuals and families in the process. Our array of conference speakers equips attendees with the knowledge to make informed decisions as they prepare for tomorrow.” Conference topics include Special Needs Trusts and ABLE accounts, Supported Decision-Making Options, Charting the LifeCourse, Life Beyond High School, and Financial Empowerment. 

NOTE TO MEDIA: 

Contact Lisa Razza at 412.995.5000 x410 or lrazza@achieva.info if you wish to cover the event. Keynote speakers are available for an interview on Thursday, October 20, between 11-2 p.m. 

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A member of the Achieva Family of Organizations, Achieva Family Trust was established in 1998 to address parents’ wishes to protect their children’s futures. Now, Achieva Family Trust is one of Pennsylvania’s largest, most respected corporate fiduciaries for special needs trusts. We believe that everyone should have an equal opportunity to live a better quality life. That’s why Achieva Family Trust is committed to serving people with any type of disability, including physical, mental health and intellectual.

Achieva is a non-profit organization located in southwestern Pennsylvania providing lifelong supports to people with disabilities and their families. Achieva envisions a community where all people with disabilities lead lives of personal significance. Our services range from early intervention therapies and employment supports to special needs trusts and supports in the home and community. Achieva advocates for, empowers, and supports people with disabilities and their families throughout their lives.