Planning for the day you can no longer be there

A free family guide, in progress, to help you plan with confidence for a child with special needs. Clarity, preparation and peace of mind.

An older couple reviewing documents with an advisor at a table Placeholder photo. Requires iStock license (#1316202262).

Alex’s family is living this question right now. He is in his twenties, healthy and busy, and his parents are working through the emotional process of planning for a time when they may no longer be able to care for him. Most families of children with complex needs get there eventually, usually with less help than they deserve.

This guide is our attempt to change that.

What the guide covers

  • Planning basics. How to get organized, what documents matter, and how to identify your next step.
  • Special needs trusts. How to provide for your child without disqualifying them from the benefits they rely on.
  • Benefits and resources. Understanding SSI, Medicaid waivers and related programs, and the common pitfalls.
  • Long-term strategies. Housing, guardianship and supported decision-making, and building a circle of support.

Be the first to get it

Send me the guide when it is ready

We will email you once, when the guide is published. No newsletter, no selling your address.

In the meantime

If you are planning a gift to the foundation as part of your own estate plan, see Leave a Legacy Gift. If you need to talk to someone now, contact us.

Common questions

When will the guide be available?
It is being written now. Leave your email below and we will send it to you the day it is ready. There is no cost.
Is this legal or financial advice?
No. The guide explains concepts in plain language so you can have better conversations with your own attorney and advisors. The Alexander Foundation does not provide legal, tax or financial advice.

Two ways to take the next step

For families

You are not alone in this.

If your child has Cloverleaf Syndrome or another craniofacial condition and the bills are piling up, tell us what is happening. We help where we can, and we will point you to people who can help with the rest.

For supporters

Every dollar reaches a family.

Nobody at the foundation is paid. Apart from minimal supplies and tax filing, every gift goes to families, hospitals, schools and books that change how children treat each other.