Newsletter June 2025

Jun 17, 2025 | Newsletters

By Caylon Umphrey

Special Needs News 

2025 – June 

IN THIS ISSUE: 

ABLE Accounts 
Hero Highlight 
Heartland Happenings 
Education 
Heartland Resources 

Newsletter Sponsor

10975 Grandview Drive, STE 501 Overland Park, KS 66210

ABLE Accounts

For individuals with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), saving a modest amount can cut their  income and end their insurance. With an SSI asset limit of just $2,000, many people must choose between their financial security and their medical supports and services. Where a promotion at work or a present at home can cause chaos, ABLE Accounts can bring peace.

ABLE Accounts can collect up to $19,000 each year (or more with earned income) and can protect up to $100,000 total  without impacting SSI. This means that people can save up to fifty times the SSI asset limit without cutting their income or ending their insurance. ABLE Accounts are available to individuals with disabilities, as defined by the Social Security
Administration (SSA), which started before they turned 26. This means that people who started receiving SSI before they turned 26 are almost categorically eligible.

ABLE Accounts are a powerful resource for individuals with disabilities who receive SSI. Help us to spread the good news about ABLE Accounts! You can learn more about these state-sponsored plans, available today across 46 states, through the ABLE National Resource Center.

Hero Highlight

John Teegarden
Wordsmith Pros

Favorite Vacation: Tokyo & Sapporo Japan

Hobby: Playing and coaching for Midwest
Adaptive Sports.

Quote: “ I have been paralyzed for 20 years
now. I feel like that’s when my true life really
started.”

Heartland Happenings

Dare To Adapt Wheelchair Softball Tournament

6/1/2025 – Register your team of 10-12 people to raise money for adaptive sports. Able-bodied people will be provided a wheelchair. For more info: MidwestAdaptiveSports.org

Special Needs News

Did you know that Overland Park ranked 12 nationally as one of the best cities for people with disabilities in 2024? Kansas City placed 25 in WalletHub’s rankings.

Special Needs News 

2025 – 1st Quarter

IN THIS ISSUE: 

ABLE Accounts 
Hero Highlight 
Heartland Happenings 
Education 
Heartland Resources 

Newsletter Sponsor

Newsletter Sponsor

If you would like to sponsor the next newsletter,

please contact us

KC Special Needs Planning Conference

The inaugural KC Special Needs Planning Conference took place on May 1st. This event was created to enhance the expertise of professionals in the Midwest, empowering them to better serve individuals with special needs. The conference aimed to bring top-tier education from across the United States to Kansas City, offering an affordable and accessible opportunity for Midwesterners. The conference was organized by the Heartland Special Needs Foundation. Proceeds from the event will support the foundation’s mission: providing funding for underfunded special needs trusts, offering resources and education, and fostering meaningful connections within the special needs community. KCSNconference.com

Education

The CLEAR programs are for Kansas residents, aged 18 or older, who have been previously or are currently eligible for special education services during their secondary education due to an intellectual or developmental disability. Each semester, in both CLEAR programs, a full range of courses are provided based on student input. All classes are held on the JCCC campus.

Visit:

https://www.jccc.edu/community-
resources/supported-education-
programs/clear/ for more info.

Get Involved:

Heartland Special Needs Foundation is currently looking for volunteers to help on the Educational Committee and the Fundraising Committee. If you are interested in helping please email us.