Focus on the Future

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 se...

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 F...

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 disa...

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 ...

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 impor...

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 b...

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....

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 episod...

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 financ...

In future planning, we talk about the three-legged stool: legal, financial, & quality of life. In episode 4 of Focus on the Future, we are talking about financial planning. Listen as host Allycia Wolff talks with Roger Grumdahl. Roger is a financial planner and the father of Krista, his adult daughter with special needs. In this episode, he walks us through what financial planning looks like and how it can be a powerful experie...

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 t...

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 p...

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...

“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 wha...