A Special Needs Trust allows money to be set aside for a person with a disability. The trust is intended to help preserve funds for the sole benefit of the person with a disability, enhance the person’s quality of life, while protecting his or her eligibility for public benefits, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (also known as “SSI”).

Join PLAN of MA & RI for an informational webinar to learn about what Special Needs Trusts are and how they can help you to plan for your future.

• Information about the different types of Special Needs Trusts
• Why a Special Needs Trust is beneficial to you
• Unique features of PLAN as a Professional Trustee

• Parents
• Family members
• Professionals
• Individuals who think they could benefit from a Special Needs Trust themselves

Joan McGrath, Executive Director

Joan has more than 25 years of experience in professional accounting and finance and has been with PLAN of MA & RI since 2009. Prior to assuming the role of Executive Director, Joan was the Director of Finance at PLAN. She has been an auditor with a “big four” public accounting firm, where she focused on high growth and emerging business clients from start-up to IPO. She also led her own private consulting practice where she worked with nonprofits, service organizations, and venture capital startups. Joan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business.

Kathy Vitello, LSW, Director of Operations

Kathy is a Licensed Social Worker with more than 35 years of experience working with seniors, people who are physically challenged, and chronically ill. She has broad experience and insight—drawn from her work in hospitals, in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and psychiatric facilities, and in-home care and hospice settings. Kathy holds a degree in Mental Health from Northern Essex Community College; has a BA in Applied Mental Health from University of Massachusetts, Amherst; and earned certificates in Suicide Prevention in Older Adults and Mental Health and Aging from the Institute for Geriatric Social Work at Boston University. Kathy has also participated in a week-long training in Thanatology and is a member of the NPA Conference Planning Committee.