Since our inception in 1992, SkyerLaw has been committed to helping parents secure and fund the best possible school and educational programs for their children. However, for families of children with developmental disabilities, the most pressing question is not only “What is the right school?” but also, “What happens next, when school is over?”
In response to this need, we have developed our Public Benefits & Life Planning division, under the leadership of Regina Skyer and guided by the expertise of Cayle White. Many of you know Cayle in her role as the Benefits Coordinator in the Special Needs Division of the Upper West Side Meyerson JCC. Cayle is an extraordinary advocate with a proven track record of securing services, funding, and life-changing outcomes for hundreds of families. She brings not only her expertise in navigating complex government systems, but also a rare ability to translate these systems into real, actionable plans for families. Cayle’s work has already helped secure millions of dollars in approved support budgets, access to OPWDD, Medicaid, and self-direction services. This can set the stage for meaningful adult lives.
Without proper planning, even the most carefully built educational foundation can collapse the moment a child turns 22. This is referred to as the “transition cliff”. For many of our clients, securing public benefits and engaging in life-planning is not optional – it is essential. Services may be available for your child as early as birth. This allows for children of all ages to benefit from additional non-school based services.
We have developed an accompanying Question and Answer sheet that explains what OPWDD is and how meaningful this can be for your child. See this link.
As soon as any developmental issue is identified in your child, regardless of how young, we recommend starting this planning process as it can take anywhere from one to two years to adequately secure. The systems are complex, the stakes are high, and the landscape is forever shifting, the earlier your child is in this system the more assured their benefits.
Next Steps
Set up a consultation for our Public Benefits & Life Planning division with Cayle and Regina, by completing the consultation request here. (https://www.skyerlaw.com/contact)
