Wednesday, August 21, 2019 As an organization that works to serve individuals with disabilities, we feel 100% confident in stating that, as a country, we need to pay more attention to autism. Specifically, we need to work hard to support (i.e. fund) organizations and programs that research and monitor autism, as well as provide interventions and supports to individuals with autism. Current data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that autism affects 1 in 59 American children. Aside from this staggering number, there are a couple of other important facts that the ..read more

Shared from Integrated Living Opportunities (ILO), www.ilonow.org. On July 2, 2019 the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that they would be releasing 150 million dollars in funding to help non-elderly individuals with disabilities (aged 18-62) acquire housing in the community. This funding opportunity falls under the Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program. According to the press release, HUD expects to award 300 grants, ranging from 20,000 to 3 million. They anticipate that these grants will help approximately 18,000 individuals with disabilities. Please ..read more

Thursday, June 13, 2019 Shared from Integrated Living Opportunities (ILO) website, www.ilonow.org Last year (2018), Integrated Living Opportunities (ILO) took part in the nation-wide Bike to the Beach (B2B) for the first time. Three ILO riders, Maedi Tanham Carney, Rip Collins and Gerry Dorros each biked an incredible 100 miles, raising over $10,000! ILO volunteers worked very hard fundraising, spreading the word, and manning a rest stop on event day – all ensuring that this event was a success. This year, on August 2, ILO will be participating in B2B for the second time. We have expande ..read more

We have some very exciting news to share – Integrated Living Opportunities (ILO) at the Crossings is in the Washington Post! In an article titled, “On their own, but not alone: How a group of men with autism found an independence their families weren’t sure they would ever have”, author Thersa Vargas talks to ILO self advocates about their experiences with independent living and ILO. Please see the below text of the article, or follow this link to see it on The Washington Post website. On their own, but not alone: How a group of men with autism found an independence their families weren’t ..read more

Friday, May 24, 2019 Our goal at M&L Special Needs Planning, LLC is to help individuals with disabilities lead full, productive and happy lives. We believe that employment is an important part of a full life. It aids independence and integration, and studies have shown that meaningful, rewarding employment is psychologically beneficial. Employment provides opportunities to improve self-confidence, and offers a sense of purpose and self-worth. It can help individuals learn new skills and continue to build on existing skills. It plays a role in socialization, by facilitating engagemen ..read more

Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE M&L Special Needs Planning, LLC Receives 2019 Best of Washington DC Award Washington DC Award Program Honors the Achievement WASHINGTON DC April 15, 2019 — M&L Special Needs Planning, LLC has been selected for the 2019 Best of Washington DC Award in the Financial Planner for Special Needs category by the Washington DC Award Program. Each year, the Washington DC Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhan ..read more

Friday, April 12, 2019 Shared from Integrated Living Opportunities (ILO) website, www.ilonow.org. Integrated Living Opportunities (ILO) is an organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities build inclusive and supported communities in which they can live independently. ILO does this by providing families with the tools and resources needed to create communities, as well as developing teams of paid and unpaid individuals for our self-advocates as they move into their own homes. On March 22, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released some new guidance that will op ..read more

Friday, March 29, 2019 Employment for individuals with disabilities is a very important issue. Studies have shown that employment can be vital to psychological health, as well as helping individuals socialize, integrate, and develop further skills. It is also true that for individuals with disabilities, employment is often necessary to achieve and maintain financial independence. At M&L Special Needs Planning, we offer services that relate directly to employment. From the perspective of a financial and life planner, as well as a parent of an individual with disabilities, we are keen ..read more