Navigating the various public benefits available for children and adults with disabilities can be extremely challenging for families. Government agencies have differing disability and financial eligibility criteria. Parents are many times overwhelmed by the various systems and many times do not even know what questions to ask. Jim Huyck, Advocate/Consultant for Public Benefits will be the speaker at the March 20th meeting of The Orange County Asperger's Support Group.
He will discuss appyling for and receiving public benefits including SSI, SSDI, SSDI/DAC, MediCal, MediCare, IHSS, Regional Center, Special Education and Department of Rehabilitation.
The meeting starts at 7:00pm, and is free to individuals and families dealing with AS, HFA or PDD-NOS, but reservations are required.
We're in Dierenfield Hall, next to the Welcome Center.
About the Speaker
im Huyck has over 40 years of experience working with people with disabilities, primarily those with Developmental Disabilities.He began his career as a Senior Rehabilitation Counselor with the California Department of Rehabilitation, working with Regional Center clients. After 5 years, he was hired by the San Diego Community College District as a Counselor for the “Limited Learners” (Regional Center clients). He was promoted to Associate Dean of Special Education at the San Diego Community College District where he served until he was recruited to Sacramento by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office where he launched the Statewide Foundation for the California Community Colleges. During his tenure there he was successful in obtaining grants and contracts totaling over $17 million per year including funding from Apple and IBM to establish High Tech Centers for the Disabled at Community Colleges Statewide.
In 1995 he was hired as the Executive Director of Alta California Regional Center where he served for 10 years, managing a staff of over 300 employees and an annual budget of $175 million.
For the past 12 years he has been consulting and advocating for individuals with disabilities and their families to assist in accessing public benefits including Regional Center, SSI, SSDI, MediCal, IHSS, Special Education, CCS etc. In particular he works closely with attorneys and Trustees as a Consultant regarding Special Needs Trust. He has also served as an Expert Witness in a number of civil lawsuits.