Secured Steps

IEPs Without Intimidation: How Parents Can Advocate with Confidence

IEP meetings can feel overwhelming for families. There are acronyms, evaluations, goals, services, timelines, and sometimes an uncomfortable feeling that everyone else at the table understands the system better than you do. In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff is joined by Dr. Diana Fannon, an experienced special education professional and advocate whose background includes work as a teacher, school psychologist, and Director of Special Education. Through her work with Disability Ed Pros, Dr. Fannon helps parents better understand the educational system and advocate more confidently for their children.  Together, Jeff and Diana discuss how families can approach the IEP process with more clarity, preparation, and confidence. The conversation draws from Diana’s years of special education advocacy and focuses on what parents can do before, during, and after the meeting to become stronger partners in the process. In this episode, we discuss: * Why IEP meetings can feel so intimidating for parents * What families should understand before walking into the room * How to prepare without feeling like you need to become an expert overnight * The difference between disagreement and conflict * How parents can ask better questions during the IEP process * Why goals, services, accommodations, and placement need to connect to the child’s real needs * How families can advocate firmly while preserving working relationships * The importance of high expectations for students with disabilities * What to do when the plan looks good on paper but does not seem to be working in practice For many families, the IEP is one of the first major systems they have to learn to navigate. And like many disability-related systems, it can feel technical, emotional, and high-stakes all at once. At Secured Steps, we often talk about the importance of structure. That same idea applies here. When parents understand the process, prepare their questions, and know what they are trying to protect, the IEP meeting becomes less intimidating and more productive. Guest Dr. Diana Fannon Special education advocate, educator, and founder of Disability Ed Pros. Dr. Fannon’s work focuses on helping parents navigate IEPs with confidence and supporting more inclusive educational practices for students with disabilities.  Listen if you are: * A parent preparing for an IEP meeting * A caregiver trying to better understand special education services * A professional supporting families with children who have disabilities * An advocate, educator, or advisor looking for a parent-centered view of the IEP process Disclaimer This episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, educational, financial, or individualized planning advice. Every family’s situation is unique, and families should consult the appropriate professionals for guidance specific to their child and circumstances. Connect with Diana at https://www.disabilityedpros.com/opt-in-inclusionadvocaytoolkit. Connect with Jeff at https://rockwoodwealth.com/special-needs-financial-planning/

Authentic Inclusion, Accessibility, and Changing the Conversation with Daniel Hodges

In this episode of Secured Steps, I sit down with Daniel Hodges, JD, MHA for an important conversation about accessibility, authentic inclusion, and what it really takes to build a society that better supports people with disabilities. Daniel is a thought leader in the disability community and the President and Cofounder of Peaces of Me Foundation, a nonprofit he launched while still in law school. The foundation’s mission is to transform society through community education, innovative professional training, and meaningful connections to resources that help break the stigma surrounding disabilities of all kinds. As someone who lives with multiple disabilities himself, Daniel brings both professional insight and lived experience to this conversation. We talk about the deeper meaning of inclusion, the barriers that still exist in workplaces and communities, and why education and awareness are such critical parts of lasting change. Daniel also shares more about his own path, the work of Peaces of Me Foundation, and how each of us can play a role in creating a more accessible and inclusive world. This is a thoughtful, meaningful episode for families, professionals, advocates, and anyone who wants to better understand what authentic inclusion looks like in practice. About Daniel Hodges: Daniel Hodges, JD, MHA, is a thought leader on accessibility and authentic inclusion of people with disabilities. He is the President and Cofounder of Peaces of Me Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming society through community education, innovative professional training, and connections to relevant resources that break the stigma surrounding disabilities of all kinds. Daniel founded the organization while in law school and brings a powerful blend of leadership, advocacy, and lived experience to his work. He earned his Juris Doctorate from The University of Baltimore and his Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Western Governors’ University. Connect with Daniel and Peaces of Me Foundation:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacesofmefoundation?igshid=MTNiYzNiMzkwZA==  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeacesOfMeFoundation?mibextid=vk8aRt  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/8qBcFK55wuRLJkYL/?mibextid=A7sQZp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peaces-of-me-foundation/  X: https://x.com/PeacesofMeFdn?t=5aDeXvRGoJrwITeUyAr1SQ&s=09  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peacesofmefoundation247 Listen, follow, and share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Secured Steps, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares about building a more inclusive world.

Why Special Needs Families Miss Important Tax Savings

In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn breaks down the tax moves special needs families miss most and explains how to think more strategically about taxes throughout the year. From credits versus deductions to medical expenses, adult dependents, ABLE accounts, and trust coordination, Jeff shares practical insights to help families ask better questions and avoid costly oversights. If you care for a loved one with disabilities and want a clearer, more confident approach to tax planning, this episode is for you.   #DisabilityPlanning  #TaxPlanning

Am I Hurting My Child with Special Needs If I Save for Retirement First?

If you’re a parent of a child with special needs, saving for your own retirement can sometimes feel selfish — even risky. But what if prioritizing your financial security actually strengthens your child’s future instead of threatening it? In this episode, I unpack one of the most emotionally loaded questions families ask: how to balance retirement planning with long-term financial planning for a child with disabilities. We explore the real trade-offs, common mistakes parents make, and how an integrated strategy can protect both your independence and your child’s lifelong care needs. You’ll learn how retirement security, Special Needs Trust funding, ABLE accounts, government benefits, and estate planning all work together — not against each other. Most importantly, you’ll leave with a practical framework to help reduce guilt, increase clarity, and move forward with confidence. If you’d like more guidance on special needs financial planning, visit www.rockwoodwealth.com/snfp to explore ways we help families build secure futures.

What Is a Special Needs Trust?

A special needs trust can be one of the most important tools in a disability family’s plan—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, I break down what a special needs trust is, how it works, and why it matters if SSI and Medicaid benefits are part of your loved one’s support system (now or in the future). You’ll walk away with a clear, plain-English understanding of the structure, the key players, the main trust types, and the practical mistakes to avoid. In this episode, we cover: * What a special needs trust is (in plain English) * The problem it solves: protecting eligibility for means-tested benefits like SSI and Medicaid * How special needs trusts work mechanically (trustee control + distribution rules) * The 3 most common types of special needs trusts: * Third-party special needs trust * First-party (self-settled) special needs trust * Pooled special needs trust * What a trust can pay for (and where families need to be careful) * The 5 biggest mistakes that create benefit issues and family stress * A simple checklist of next steps to get your plan aligned Helpful next step If you’re trying to make sure your trust planning fits with the rest of your financial plan—beneficiary designations, titling, ABLE accounts, benefits, and long-term family goals—you can learn more about working with my team here: www.rockwoodwealth.com/snfp [http://www.rockwoodwealth.com/snfp]