Achieva | Blog
New Camp Request Deadline
Please note that the due date for camp requests from our Charitable Residual program has been moved up to  APRIL 15, 2025.  Please get your applications for camp requests completed timely to ensure you meet the application deadline!
Stop by our hiring events!
Greensburg: 1.31.25 from 12:00 - 4:00 PM @ 5129 Route 30 Greensburg, PA 15601
Pittsburgh: 2.4.25 from 12:00 - 4:00 PM @  711 Bingham Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203
or apply today!

News

A collection of newsletters, press releases, and media coverage.

Achieva Family Trust

Upcoming Medicare System Changes and How To Prepare For Them

Upcoming Medicare System Changes and How To Prepare For Them

As we approach 2025, significant changes are coming to the Medicare system, impacting costs, coverage, and access for beneficiaries. These adjustments are largely driven by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. Here, we break down the key changes, their implications, and how you can prepare.

Read more

Meet Achieva Family Trust Staff

Meet Achieva Family Trust Staff

Achieva Family Trust currently has a staff of 26 people, and each month we will introduce you to some of them.

Read more

Congratulations to our President, Amy Dolan Strano

Congratulations to our President, Amy Dolan Strano

Congratulations to Amy Dolan Strano, Esq., President, Achieva Family Trust, on being recognized as one of the 2024 Pittsburgh Smart 50 Awardees!

Read more

Achieva Family Trust says Farewell to a Good Friend

Achieva Family Trust says Farewell to a Good Friend

"It's always good to be a friend." - Elaine Cole On September 13, 2024 the Achieva Family Trust Social Services Committee met to wish a happy and healthy retirement to longtime member and friend Elaine Cole.

Read more

Achieva Family Trust Exceeds $2 Million in Charitable Distributions

Achieva Family Trust Exceeds $2 Million in Charitable Distributions

Achieva Family Trust is proud to announce a historic milestone, surpassing $2 million in charitable distributions through the Charitable Residual Program for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

Read more

When And How Do I Fund My Special Needs Trust for My Child with Disabilities?

When And How Do I Fund My Special Needs Trust for My Child with Disabilities?

Several factors should be considered when establishing a third-party special needs trust (TPSNT) for a child with disabilities. When should the TPSNT be funded? How should the TPSNT be funded?

Read more

What Is the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?

What Is the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?

Wills and trusts are foundational estate planning tools. While each is used to distribute assets to beneficiaries, they do so in different ways. Each also has its own distinct uses and advantages.

Read more

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Important Observations in May

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Important Observations in May

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) has designated May "Elder Law Month." NAELA members are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and people of all ages with disabilities.

Read more

PA State Treasurer Announces Fee Reduction for PA ABLE Account Owners

PA State Treasurer Announces Fee Reduction for PA ABLE Account Owners

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Savings Program account owners will see a lower annual account maintenance fee on their April statements. The fee reduction is the result of the National ABLE Alliance surpassing 35,000 funded ABLE accounts.

Read more

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is observed in March in the U.S. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about including people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life.

Read more

IRS Raises ABLE Account Limit

IRS Raises ABLE Account Limit

The Internal Revenue Service said that the federal gift tax exclusion increased to $18,000 effective at the start of this month. The annual deposit limit for ABLE accounts is tied to that measure, so it will rise as well.

Read more

SSI Beneficiaries Will See Double Payments This Month

SSI Beneficiaries Will See Double Payments This Month

People with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income can expect to receive two payments this month, but one will be higher than the other.

Read more

Social Security Announces 3.2 Percent Benefit Increase for 2024

Social Security Announces 3.2 Percent Benefit Increase for 2024

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent in 2024, the Social Security Administration announced today. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by more than $50 per month starting in January.

Read more

Honoring Cecil and David Rosenthal means learning to #LoveLiketheBoys

Honoring Cecil and David Rosenthal means learning to #LoveLiketheBoys

Cecil was a greeter at the synagogue each and every Saturday — a role tailor-made for his welcoming spirit, as most will attest. David handed out prayer shawls and Torahs to old friends and new ones - for both boys, there wasn't a difference between the two.

Read more

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Monthly Observances for October

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Monthly Observances for October

National Special Needs Law Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Read more

Achieva Announces Planned Retirement of Gary Horner, Executive Vice President and CFO

Achieva Announces Planned Retirement of Gary Horner, Executive Vice President and CFO

Achieva, one of Pennsylvania's largest providers of services for children and adults with disabilities and their families, announced the retirement plans of Gary K. Horner, an esteemed leader with a nearly three-decade tenure at the organization.

Read more

Building an Estate Plan for Adult Children with Disabilities

Building an Estate Plan for Adult Children with Disabilities

Parents of adult children with disabilities know that their child's disability needs may change over the course of their lifetime. Planning for the future well-being of an adult child with disabilities is, therefore, a responsive, ongoing process.

Read more

Disability Related Home Modifications - How Achieva Family Trust Can Help!

Disability Related Home Modifications - How Achieva Family Trust Can Help!

Allegheny County has created a Whole-Home Repairs Program which began taking applications on May 30th, 2023. The program, administered by ACTION-Housing, has $12 million dollars available for grants for eligible Allegheny County homeowners.

Read more

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Important Observations in May

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Important Observations in May

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) has designated May "Elder Law Month." NAELA members are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and people of all ages with disabilities.

Read more