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Lester Robinson is a Special Care Planner certificate from The American College. Lester J. Robinson 300 Corporate Parkway Suite 216 N Amherst, NY 14226 716-276-1168 email: lesterrobinson@finsvcs.com Many Children with Disabilities in Western New York Face Critical Needs, Uncertain Future Program Gives Help and Hope to Special Needs Families March 5, 2010– Many families in Western New York are facing a problem that could put their children with special needs at risk. There is a critical shortage of financial professionals and advisors to help make sure these children don’t run out of money or care as they grow up. But a new Special Care Planner in Western New York can help these families prepare for their children’s future. “Families are calling us for help and we have found that more people than you can imagine are struggling with this issue,” said Lester Robinson of Joseph L. DiLeo, a general agency of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). Lester Robinson has recently earned the Special Care Planner certificate from The American College. This exclusive program is available only to MassMutual and its agents. The SpecialCare program gives special needs families access to information, specialists, financial products and services that can help improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and special needs. “Children with disabilities often outlive their parents and caregivers, and that may cause a lot of parents to worry about who will take care of their children when they’re gone,” continued Lester Robinson. There are nearly five million children in America with physical, emotional and intellectual disabilities, according to the US Census Bureau’s 2006 Americans with Disabilities report. Instructors with the American College Special Care program say families with special needs children struggle with many issues: who will raise the child, how can they save money for the child without losing thousands of dollars in state and federal aid, how can the child continue to receive medical treatment if the parent is disabled or dies? “This type of life care planning is something many people find impossible to do without help, because the issues are so complicated and the laws are so complex,” said Harry Margolis, founder of the national Academy of Special Needs Planners. “A specialized team that includes an attorney, CPA, social workers and caregivers is an indispensable part of planning for families who have children with disabilities. A Special Care Planner can help bring this team together in a way that makes sense for special needs families,” continued Margolis. “There is a definite shortage of financial professionals that specialize in this area. The public tells us they are having a very difficult time finding expert advisors. I think MassMutual is doing a wonderful job educating and training agents as Special Care Planners who can help solve these problems,” said Bernard A. Krooks, a member of the national Special Needs Alliance. “Medical technology has made Herculean strides in prolonging the lives of special needs children. But by doing so, we have created a significant need for special needs families,” says Joe Valenzano, President and CEO of EP Global Communications, a worldwide media company and publisher focusing on the special needs community. “Families have literally lost tens of thousands of dollars because they didn’t know how to make a plan,” continued Valenzano. For more information about MassMutual’s SpecialCare program contact Lester J. Robinson at 716-276-1168 or visit MassMutual’s SpecialCare resource center at www.massmutual.com/specialcare 1For more information regarding benefits provided by Medicare or Medicaid (Medi-CAL in California), visit www.cms.hhs.gov. Medicaid guidelines vary by state. Contact your local Medicaid office for details. The information provided is not written or intended as tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for purposes of avoiding any Federal tax penalties. MassMutual, its employees and representatives are not authorized to give tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to seek advice from their own tax or legal counsel. Individuals involved in the estate planning process should work with an estate planning team, including their own personal legal or tax counsel. About MassMutual Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company’s strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term. MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB. For more information, visit massmutual.com. LIFE | BUSINESS | HOMEOWNERS | AUTO | Ask the Insurance Guy
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