Focus on the Future is a podcast for caregivers and families supporting people with disabilities. In each episode, a conversation about the journey of discovering our best life and how to achieve it. While exploring legal, financial, and quality of life structures, Focus on the Future will help get back to what matters most: living a fulfilling and meaningful life that is defined by each individual person. Focus on the Future is a podcast of The Arc Minnesota, a non-profit organization advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Episode 14: Rewriting the Narrative with Andrea Zuber, CEO
In the final episode of season 1 of Focus on the Future, we are joined by Andrea Zuber, CEO of The Arc Minnesota. Andrea has devoted her career to protecting the human rights of people with disabilities. Over the years, she has fostered a vision for the future. Andrea knows that people with disabilities are powerful, capable, wise, and strong. We need our society's narrative to reflect these truths. Together at The Arc Minnesota, we are co-creating a bright future where people with disabiliti...
31 Mar 2020
Episode 13: A person-centered approach for today & tomorrow with Dr. Dan Baker, DHS
In Episode 13, learn what it means to be "person-centered" and why it is so important. Dr. Dan Baker from the Minnesota Department of Human Services joins us. He shares how focusing on someone's strengths, interests, and dreams can change not only the trajectory for their future, but also the here & now. About Dr. Dan Baker Dr. Dan Baker is with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, where he serves as the Positive Supports Compliance Specialist with Quality Assurance and Disability...
17 Mar 2020
Episode 12: Self-Advocacy & the Future with Barbara
In episode 12 of Focus on the Future, we are joined by Barbara. Barbara lives in Minnesota and is passionate about martial arts. She is also a self-advocate. Self-advocacy is about using your voice to make your own decisions and be your own advocate. Hear from Barbara as she shares her journey to self-advocacy, why it empowers her, and what she hopes the future looks like for people with disabilities. About Focus on the Future Focus on the Future is a podcast for caregivers and families sup...
3 Mar 2020
Episode 11: Supporting & Empowering Siblings with Emily Holl
In Episode 11 of Focus on the Future, learn about the role that siblings play in future planning. Emily Holl of the Sibling Support Project joins us to discuss how siblings can be empowered to be a part of planning for the future. Siblings know each other in ways that parents, teachers, doctors, therapists, and others do not. Their ideas and input are a powerful piece of making plans for the future alongside the sibling with a disability. In this episode, learn what support siblings crave whe...
18 Feb 2020
Episode 10: Guardianship, Decision Making, & Other Options
In episode 10 of Focus on the Future, we talk about decision making and guardianship. In Minnesota, there are many options, including supported decision making, full & limited guardianship, authorized representation, and more. Tune in to hear about what each option means, and how it could be a good fit for the person with a disability and you as a caregiver. Guardianship and its other options are an important piece in honoring choice and defining a life that is fulfilling and meaningful t...
4 Feb 2020
Episode 9: Health Care Directives with Honoring Choices Minnesota
Creating a health care directive is an important step in planning for the future. It's a gift that lets your family know what choices to make regarding your health care if you are unable to voice that choice for yourself. In this podcast episode, Focus on the Future host Allycia Wolff talks with Maggie O'Connor of Honoring Choices Minnesota. Together, they discuss what goes into a health care directive and why it is important to you and your family. About Honoring Choices Minnesota Honoring ...
21 Jan 2020
Episode 8: Building Friendships and Community with Angela Amado
Episode 8 of Focus on the Future highlights the importance of building friendship within the community. Guest Angela Amado shares her knowledge on the importance of building lasting friendships and relationships with people with disabilities. Angela suggests that valuing what people with disabilities bring to the table is a great way to form lasting relationships with them. She also stresses the importance of creating friendships between people with disabilities and people without disabilitie...
7 Jan 2020
Episode 7: Safer Future Planning with Dr. Nancy Fitzsimons
What role does safety play in future planning? Can we really plan for a safer future? In this episode of Focus on the Future, host Allycia Wolff interviews Dr. Nancy Fitzsimons. Dr. Fitzsimons is a professor of social work at Mankato State University. She is also a board member of The Arc Minnesota. In their conversation, Allycia Wolff and Dr. Fitzsimons discuss how we can empower our children and re-think what it means to be safe. About Dr. Nancy Fitzsimons Dr. Fitzsimons earned her MSW and...
17 Dec 2019
Episode 6: Self-Care as Caregivers with the Thayer Family
As a caregiver, you are often focused on the care of others. But what about caring for yourself? In this episode, join host Allycia Wolff as she talks with the Thayer family about self-care. Brian and Jen Thayer are parents to Roa and Gunner, one of whom has special needs. In this episode, they talk about making time for yourself, communication, and finding the things that make you whole. Resources mentioned in this episode Dad's Support Group meets the first Saturday of the month at 5pm at ...
2 Dec 2019
Episode 5: Reach Financial Goals with ABLE
In 2014, President Obama signed into law the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, better known as ABLE. The ABLE Act allows for people with disabilities to save money without disrupting their benefits. On Episode 5 of Focus on the Future, host Allycia Wolff chats with Katie McDermott about ABLE Accounts. Katie is the Self-Advocate Associate at The Arc Minnesota. In their conversation, they talk about how ABLE can keep you financially secure and living the life that you choose. About ABLE ...
5 Nov 2019
Episode 3: The Power of Choice in a Good Life
Episode 3 of Focus on the Future is about quality of life. In this episode, host Allycia Wolff talks with Tori Hickenbotham-Westeren. Tori is The Arc Minnesota's Chief Planning & Program Officer. In their conversation, Allycia and Tori discuss what makes a good life, and how parents and caregivers can take steps to ensure their child is safe and happy. Also in this episode, Allycia has a conversation with Dan Hood. Dan is the founder of HoodWave Disability Radio, a podcast by people with ...
22 Oct 2019
Episode 2: Understanding Special Needs Legal Planning with Jason Schellack
In Episode 2, host Allycia Wolff talks with attorney Jason Schellack. As Executive Director of the Autism Advocacy & Law Center, Jason shares his expertise on special needs estate planning. In this episode, Allycia and Jason dive into the various trusts and wills that financially and legally prepare you for the future. About the Autism Advocacy & Law Center Since 2009, the Autism Advocacy & Law Center has provided high-quality, cost-effective legal services to individuals with di...
22 Oct 2019
Episode 1: Starting Future Planning with the Kadwell Family
In Episode 1, host Allycia Wolff interviews the Kadwell family from New Brighton, MN. Worried about what it would mean when their son Micah became a legal adult, Nicole and Frank came to The Arc Minnesota during Micah’s senior year of high school. They developed a person-centered plan through our FutureLife Options program. In this episode, the Kadwell family talks about the planning process and the emotions and fears they overcame. Questions? You can find more information about Focus on the ...
12 Sept 2019
Episode 0: One Small Step Towards Future Planning
“My hope is that this podcast will give people the information that they need to take that step forward … Because future planning doesn’t have to be scary and paralyzing. It can be hopeful and can have forward progress.” Episode Zero of Focus on the Future is an introductory episode. In this episode, our host Allycia Wolff introduces herself and The Arc Minnesota, and shares her hopes for the podcast. She also explains what future planning is and why it is important to you. At the end of the...
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