The Arc of Oakland County MI » Planning for the Future

Income Tax Guide

This authoritative income tax guide will prove to be invaluable for tax preparers, parents and others concerned with tax deductions stemming from the care and support of a minor child, an adult, or other persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Issued annually for thirty-six years, the 2010 Income Tax Guide was prepared by Thomas F. Kendziorski, Attorney at Law, and Executive Director of The Arc of Oakland County. The 2010 Income Tax Guide was written for The Arc Michigan and is copyrighted, and it is now FREE.

Guardianship

Historically, from Roman times through the English notion of “common law,” guardianship as a protective device was developed to preserve the property of an “incompetent person.” Relatively recent the concept of “guardianship of the person” was established as a separate format wholly distinct from matters relating to money.

Ability to Pay

Assessing your ability to pay is a requirement of the Michigan Mental Health Code. The privatization of our local mental health system a couple of years ago caused an increasingly stricter enforcement of the Michigan Mental Health Code. Namely, the “ability-to-pay” rules of Chapter 8 of that Code, especially against families with minor children using respite care, in-home staffing, supports coordination, or other mental health related services. As the Michigan legislature must have intended back in 1974, “if you can pay, you will … according to your income.”

The Etheridge Plan

For family members and others interested in a comprehensive Lifetime Advocacy Program. Many parents ask: “What will happen to my child when I’m gone?”

Planning a More Secure Future

The 50-page booklet entitled “Planning A More Secure Future, 4th Edition.” by Thomas F. Kendziorski, Esq. is no longer available in print form. The articles on Guardianship, Wills, Trusts and Estates, Ability to Pay, are located throughout our website. We have made a Power Point slideshow on this topic available here, please click the following: SSI presentation 2010

Wills Trusts and Estates

Parents of a child with a disability have no choice but to consult with an attorney experienced in mental health and probate law who is able to assist with complex legal considerations and preparation of an appropriate estate plan. Every estate plan must be developed according to the unique family situation and the needs of the person with a developmental disability.

Shared Parenting Program

A start up grant from the Skillman Foundation provided the initial funding for the development of this program, funding was phased-out in 1994. The Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA) by and through the MORC have continued this outstanding program ever since.

Residential Options

There are a variety of settings in which people with intellectual impairments and related developmental disabilities may live and receive needed supports and services. For people who currently receive services through Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority’s (CMHA) service providers (e.g., MORC, Inc. and CLS-Oakland, Inc.), selecting a place to live should be supported through the “Person-Centered Planning” (PCP) process, and should include both short-term and long-term housing goals.

Our office is conveniently located at Coventry Place 1641 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Michigan 48084-3501 Phone 248-816-1900 Fax 248-816-1906

Our office is conveniently located at Coventry Place
1641 West Big Beaver Road
Troy, Michigan 48084-3501
Phone 248-816-1900 Fax 248-816-1906