In this episode of Heart to Heart, Christine Matus sits down with Ellen Nalven, former Executive Director and current Senior Advisor at Plan NJ, to discuss the importance of life planning for individuals with disabilities and the families who support them. Ellen shares how her lifelong commitment to helping people with disabilities led her from special education and supported employment into a career dedicated to advocacy, guardianship, and long-term planning.

Christine and Ellen explore the unique role Plan NJ plays in helping families prepare for the future through services such as special needs trust administration, guardianship, advocacy, and ongoing support. Ellen explains how the organization has grown from serving just 70 individuals to nearly 1,000 people across New Jersey, expanding its services to meet the needs of individuals with a wide range of disabilities.

The conversation also highlights the challenges families face when navigating complex systems such as SSI, Medicaid, and special needs planning. Christine and Ellen discuss the importance of working with experienced professionals and trusted organizations to help protect benefits and ensure long-term stability for loved ones with disabilities.

Throughout the episode, Ellen reflects on the values that have guided Plan NJ for decades: families helping families, planning ahead, and creating strong support systems that can provide peace of mind for the future. She also shares her excitement about retirement and the organization's continued growth under new leadership.

To contact Plan NJ:
Office: (908) 575-8300
Email: info@plannj.org
P.O. Box 706
Green Brook, NJ 08812 US

Thanks for listening!

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