Fulshear-Katy Community Guide 2024-25

families. Every Arc has different programs, so check which one meets your family’s needs.” Facebook’s Focus on Friends, Be Someone Special, and Village of Triumph offer activities such as dinners, movies, cooking classes, outings, and parties. EMPLOYMENT Finding employment for teens and adults with special needs can be challenging, but companies are realizing the benefits of hiring people with neurodiversity. Having a supportive job teaches many skills and allows employees to become valued, productive members of the community. The Brookwood Community, a leader in the special needs community, offers its “Citizens” residential living plus day programs in Brookshire and a workshop inside Gallery Furniture on the Grand Parkway. Shannon Moreno, Director of the Work Program, says, “Brookwood believes in the power of a paycheck, and watching the excitement our Citizens have on payday Fridays is incredibly fulfilling. They have immense pride in the work they do each day. When you visit the studio or shops, they love to show you what they have worked on. Brookwood has a vision to help change the way the world thinks about adults with disabilities.” Texana Café, located on 359 in Fulshear,

supports meaningful employment for neurodiverse individuals. The Café trains interns in food services, teaching them to make and serve food and beverages while learning job skills in a supportive environment. Interns train for up to a year, at which time they may move to jobs within the community. Howdy Homemade Ice Cream in Katy offers employment to many with special needs. Eighty percent of Howdy’s staff have special needs, and the company is looking for opportunities to offer jobs to more Howdy Heroes. Katy Franchisee Rod Batson says, “Howdy Homemade Ice Cream is on a relentless pursuit to employ individuals with special needs.” Community businesses like Chick-fil-A Fulshear also offer employment to those with special needs. Owner/Operator Courtney Holmes states, “At Chick-fil-A Fulshear, we love to teach our team members how to have a job, work with others, and communicate well with each other and our guests. We provide a safe space for those who are different to be able to work.” LEGAL/FINANCIAL Caring for children with special needs is a lifelong commitment, and it’s important for parents to start early with thorough legal and financial plans. It is critical to have Wills and Special

Needs Trusts prepared by an attorney experienced with special needs planning. As children become adults at age 18, parents should consider Guardianship or Alternatives to Guardianship and make sure their estate plan appoints successor guardians. Attorney Boyd Handley works with families to create comprehensive legal plans so that inheritances received

for their children not only during their own lifetime but also for when they are no longer here to care for them. Support is available to help navigate the challenging road ahead, and asking for help can ensure you create a purposeful, exceptional life for your child with special needs and your entire family.

during a child’s life won’t affect government benefits. Handley’s website has many resources and Special Needs Parenting blogs. “As a parent of a young adult with special needs, I understand the issues families face,” Handley says. “In my practice, I help families like ours work through these issues to find services and legal solutions for them, now and in the future.” Parents should consult a financial advisor knowledgeable about special needs as they understand the specific long-term investment needs and how benefits like SSI and Medicaid can be protected with proper planning. Parents of children with special needs must plan

Changing the way the world thinks about adults with disabilities

Shop and dine at our Gift & Garden Center and Café! OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY • JUST 10 MINUTES WEST OF KATY 1752 FM 1489, Brookshire, TX 77423 • 281-375-2149 • brookwoodcommunity.org • •

FULSHEAR-KATY COMMUNITY GUIDE & DIRECTORY 2024-25 ISSUE 69