Secured Steps

Rockwood Wealth Management
  • 5.0 (14)
  • INVESTING

Welcome to Secured Steps, the podcast where Jeff Llewellyn of Rockwood Wealth Management helps families confidently navigate the financial planning journey for individuals with special needs. Each episode features expert insights and real conversations with advocates, professionals, and families from the special needs community—because every family deserves a secure path forward.  This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Listeners should consult with their own qualified advisors before making any financial decisions. 

  1. 12/16/2025

    Navigating Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A Primer for Families

    Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is one of the most important — and misunderstood — disability benefits for families. In this episode, Jeff Llewellyn explains how SSI works, who qualifies, and why age 18 is a critical planning milestone for individuals with disabilities. You’ll learn how income and asset limits apply, what changes when parental finances no longer count, and why SSI often becomes the gateway to adult Medicaid and long-term services. Jeff also covers common planning tools — including ABLE accounts and Special Needs Trusts — and explains how to avoid benefit reductions caused by In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM). This episode is ideal for parents, caregivers, and professionals looking for clear, practical guidance on SSI eligibility, transition planning, and long-term financial stability.

    10 min

  2. 12/04/2025

    What Every Family with Special Needs Should Know About Life & Disability Insurance — with Brian Klazmer

    In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn sits down with Brian Klazmer of Klazmer Financial Group for a deep conversation on how life and disability insurance really works for families with loved ones with special needs. We unpack the essentials — from the structure of permanent vs. term coverage to advanced strategies like second-to-die policies, funding Special Needs Trusts, insuring caregivers, and coordinating coverage with SSI/Medicaid planning. Brian brings decades of experience and a clear, practical perspective families rarely get to hear. You’ll learn: Why life insurance plays a unique role in special-needs financial planningCommon mistakes families make when selecting coverageHow to structure policies to support a Special Needs TrustThe difference between insuring parents vs. siblingsUnderwriting considerations for families navigating disabilityWhen to review, replace, or reinforce existing coverageHow life insurance integrates with your overall financial planWhether you’re a parent, a caregiver, or a professional serving families, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence you need to move forward with a safer, more sustainable plan. Learn more about the Klazmer Financial Group (www.klazmerfinancial.com) and explore Rockwood Wealth Management (www.rockwoodwealth.com/special-needs-financial-planning).

    44 min

  3. 11/26/2025

    From Overwhelming to Oasis: Sensory-Smart Interiors with Stephanie Lee Jackson

    In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn sits down with Stephanie Lee Jackson, founder of Practical Sanctuary to explore how the spaces we live in can help — or hinder — our nervous systems. Stephanie designs sensory-smart interiors for families, caregivers, and individuals with special needs. Together, we talk about how intentional design can reduce overwhelm, support regulation, and create calm, functional environments that truly meet your family’s needs. You’ll learn: 🏡 How light, texture, layout, and color affect your nervous system 🧠 Why designing with regulation in mind is essential for neurodivergent and special-needs individuals 💬 Simple changes families can make to create more supportive and soothing spaces 💗 How caregivers can benefit from environments that restore their energy Whether you’re a parent, professional, or planner, this conversation will help you rethink the role of your home — not just as a place to live, but as part of your care system. 🔗 Learn more about Stephanie Lee Jackson: 🌐 Website: https://practicalsanctuary.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicalsanctuary/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieleejacksonpracticalsanctuary/ About Secured Steps: Hosted by Jeff Llewellyn, CFA®, CFP®, ChSNC®, Secured Steps is a series dedicated to helping families and professionals navigate life, money, and disability planning with clarity and confidence. Learn more at https://rockwoodwealth.com/snfp #SensoryDesign #Neurodiversity #SpecialNeedsFamilies #CaregiverWellbeing #HomeEnvironment #PracticalSanctuary #SecuredStepsPodcast #DisabilityPlanning

    53 min

  4. 10/29/2025

    Power of Showing Up: Young Adult Transitions with Jack Hinman

    In this episode of the Secured Steps podcast, host Jeff Llewellyn engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Jack Hinman about the challenges faced by young adults, particularly those in the special needs community. They explore the intersection of personal and professional experiences, discussing the importance of family dynamics, developmental milestones, and the crisis of connection in today's youth. Dr. Hinman emphasizes the need for parents to encourage social skills and friendships while also addressing the significance of understanding attachment styles and increasing bandwidth for social interaction. The conversation concludes with success stories and strategies for coaching young adults to foster growth and resilience. Connect with Jack: https://engagelifenow.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-hinman-engagelifenow

    45 min

  5. 09/26/2025

    Parenting in an Atypical World: A Conversation with the Author of Hello Saturday

    In this episode of Secured Steps, host Jeff Llewellyn speaks with author Catherine Zoratti about her journey as a parent of two boys, one neurotypical and one neurodiverse. They discuss the inspiration behind her book 'Hello Saturday', the importance of finding joy in unexpected places, and the challenges of defining 'typical' in parenting. Catherine shares insights on building connections with like-minded families, the significance of advocacy for neurodiverse children, and the balancing act of meeting the needs of siblings. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-care for parents and the value of children's literature in shaping perspectives. You can purchase Hello Saturday here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJN14NJD/ Connect here: https://nonverbalkids.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nonverbalkids/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/920212136370668117/

    35 min

  6. 09/11/2025

    My Unexpected Life: Jennifer Gasner on Embracing Disability and Finding Joy

    In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn interviews Jennifer Gasner, an author and advocate for changing perceptions of people with disabilities. Jennifer shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disease at 17 and how it transformed her life. She discusses her memoir, 'My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis,' and the importance of representation and understanding in the disability community. The conversation also touches on the writing process, the challenges of sharing personal stories, and advice for parents and caregivers of individuals with disabilities. Check out her book at https://www.amazon.com/My-Unexpected-Life-Finding-Diagnosis/dp/B0CCCPG1ZJ

    33 min

  7. 09/08/2025

    Finding Home: Housing Overview for Adults with Disabilities in PA & NJ

    In this episode of Secured Steps, we dive into one of the most important — and often overwhelming — parts of planning for a loved one with disabilities: housing. Whether you’re just beginning to explore options or deep into decision-making, this conversation will give you clarity on the categories of housing, how funding works, and where to turn for trusted resources in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. What You’ll Learn: The different categories of housing available for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities — from group homes and supported apartments to private pay and transitional options.How public benefits like Medicaid, Social Security, and state programs interact with housing choices.The role of private funding, insurance, and creative planning strategies.Key resources for parents and caregivers in PA and NJ.Resources Mentioned: Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP): https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD): https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/ The Arc of Pennsylvania: https://thearcpa.org The Arc of New Jersey: https://arcnj.org PA Housing Finance Agency: https://www.phfa.org NJ Housing Resource Center: https://www.njhrc.gov National Council on Independent Living: https://ncil.org

    11 min

  8. 08/30/2025

    Play Dumb & Sabotage: A Conversation with Jeaneen Tang

    In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn sits down with Jeaneen Tang, a speech-language pathologist with over two decades of experience helping children find their voice. They explore the power of early intervention tips and language development for kids, the impact of speech therapy, and why starting early can make all the difference. Jeaneen opens up about her personal journey as a speech-language pathologist and shares practical parent coaching strategies to help boost communication skills for kids—from everyday play to structured exercises. The conversation also touches on her book, Play Dumb & Sabotage, a hands-on guide for parents and caregivers looking to support child speech development at home. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, this episode offers special needs parenting tips, insights for autism parenting, and actionable ideas for building your child’s language skills. You can get your copy of Play Dumb & Sabotage here: https://a.co/d/8J7v5yc

    56 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to Secured Steps, the podcast where Jeff Llewellyn of Rockwood Wealth Management helps families confidently navigate the financial planning journey for individuals with special needs. Each episode features expert insights and real conversations with advocates, professionals, and families from the special needs community—because every family deserves a secure path forward.  This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Listeners should consult with their own qualified advisors before making any financial decisions. 

Information

  • Creator
    Rockwood Wealth Management
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Secured Steps
  • Show Website
    Secured Steps