Franklin Library speaker talks about ‘special needs’ kids

Published 6:00 am Monday, August 28, 2017

FRANKLIN — Karen Scallan is giving away free consulting to individuals and families with special needs.

A parent of a 16-year-old son with down syndrome, autism, anxiety disorders and a congenital heart defect, she learned to advocate for her son and became a Medicaid certified parent support provider and policy advocate.

Scallan, who lives in Destrehan, spoke Thursday at the Franklin Library, at the request of Sandra Hunter Saucier, the project coordinator of Brittany’s Project, a proposed facility for individuals with disabilities in Franklin.

“There really aren’t too many people in the state who understand both sides of the coin,” Saucier said. “However Karen does.”

“This is information that everyone in this situation needs,” Saucier said. “Karen is very knowledgeable on everything for families with loved ones with disabilities.”

Scallan said she was on-hand to complete her mission, which is “to meet parents where they are,” and to focus on hurdles, including how to face them, jump them, and circumvent them.

Her company is called Special Needs and Parent Support Services of LA LLC, SNAPSS. 

“I am a translator – I speak parent to the government, and government to the parent,” Scallan said.

After going back and forth between the parents and the agency, Scallan said she issues a map on how parents need to get, where they need to go.

“This is a behemoth,” Scallan said.

When dealing with the government in these situations, she said one needs to know everything about what documents are needed. 

“Our kids are very small in the Medicaid population. My job is to help the state fix the system,” Scallan said.

Donna Bergeron was glad she attended Thursday’s seminar, describing how she was on the phone for 14 hours one day with Medicaid. On a brighter side, she was expecting a car seat for her son any day now, after waiting more than two years. Bergeron and her husband, Perry, are the parents of a young child, Aaron, who has autism.

“I can remember when my son was first diagnosed — his doctor said get ready, because you’re going to be on a roller coaster for the rest of your life,” Bergeron said.

“But that’s not how we see it, we’re just looking for any and all help we can find,” Donna commented, while explaining that young children with autism keep you busy. “I’ve only slept five full nights this month.”

Scallan said that step one for families who need help is to make sure they are enrolled in Family Opportunity Act Medicaid, which is for families of children who have disabilities but who make too much money to receive social security benefits.

“You’re allowed to make 300 percent of the federal poverty level. It’s only for the child or children with medical disabilities,” said Scallan, who can be reached through her website www.brittanysproject.org or by calling (504) 430-3604.

There is also a second opportunity for funding with this program, but there is a small premium to pay, she continued.

During Thursday’s seminar, Scallan also offered other tips, including the importance of going to a lawyer to obtain legal guardianship of their child when he or she turns 18, and to establish trust funds to secure an income for their child in the event of death.

“Both are important because in either scenario, you don’t want your child to lose their benefits,” Scallan added.

Kathy Landry of Franklin, another parent, said she sees Scallan as a vital resource for her, as her son gets older. Ryan, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, is currently a student at Nicholls State University.

“It’s somewhat of a breath of fresh air to find hope,” Landry said, who commented that she drives her son to Thibodaux and attends classes with him.

Saucier said it’s a must that families with special needs become close with each other, so that they can offer information, if nothing else.