Partnership Between Disability Service Providers Strengthens Financial Security for Individuals with Disabilities

The partnership between Road to Responsibility and PLAN of MA and RI has entered its third year with significantly enhanced financial support and expanded educational programs focused on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. PLAN of MA and RI has granted $50,000 to Road to Responsibility, doubling its contribution from the previous year and demonstrating a strengthened commitment to their shared mission of supporting the disability community.

Since its establishment in October 2023, this collaboration has centered on educating individuals, families, staff, and community members about the advantages of special needs trusts. These specialized financial instruments play a crucial role in helping people with disabilities preserve their assets while protecting their eligibility for vital public benefits. Christopher T. White, Ed.D., president and CEO of Road to Responsibility, emphasized the value of this continued partnership, noting that it has enabled numerous individuals and families to gain deeper understanding of available government assistance programs and the significant benefits offered by special needs trusts.

Road to Responsibility, founded in 1988, operates on the fundamental belief that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve full, rich, and rewarding lives within their communities. The organization provides comprehensive residential services, employment opportunities, day habilitation programs, and various day supports for individuals with diverse needs, including those facing significant challenges who might otherwise lack adequate services. Their integrated clinical behavioral approach has demonstrated success where other organizations have often struggled to achieve positive outcomes.

The organization serves nearly all towns and communities throughout the South Shore and South Coast of Massachusetts, operating 49 residential facilities along with co-operative and supportive living apartments. Road to Responsibility manages nine day-service locations that focus on education, employment opportunities, and community enrichment activities. Additional information about their comprehensive services can be found at https://www.roadtoresponsibility.org.

PLAN of MA and RI, incorporated in 1971 with origins dating back to the 1960s, has established itself as an expert in operating Special Needs Pooled Trusts. The organization serves people with disabilities—whether lifelong conditions or those resulting from illness, injury, or aging—helping them preserve assets, protect access to public benefits, and maintain quality of life. As a professional trustee, PLAN of MA and RI provides quality fiduciary services through sound trust administration combined with compassionate social service support. Their licensed social workers conduct thorough assessments of beneficiaries' living situations, needs, and current benefits, making recommendations and referrals to services that enhance quality of life. More details about their specialized trust services are available at https://www.planofma-ri.org.

This renewed partnership represents a substantial commitment to addressing the complex financial planning requirements of the disability community across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. By integrating Road to Responsibility's direct service expertise with PLAN of MA and RI's specialized trust administration knowledge, the organizations have created a comprehensive support system that addresses both immediate service needs and long-term financial security for individuals with disabilities and their families. This collaborative approach ensures that vulnerable populations receive the coordinated support necessary for sustainable living arrangements and financial stability throughout their lives.