Special Education Virtual Transition Fair

JUDGE CHRISTOPHER A. BALLAR

Gwinnett County Probate Court

75 Langley Dr.

Lawrenceville, GA  30046

Born and raised in the metro area, Judge Ballar graduated from Oglethorpe University in 1993 with a BA in history.  He later attended Mercer University in Macon where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2000.  Thereafter, he practiced law in Lawrenceville and in January of 2008 opened his own law firm in Buford.  The firm served clients in the areas of wills, trusts, estates, probate, guardianship and Elder Law.  In 2012, he was elected to the office of Probate Judge of Gwinnett County and officially took his post on January 1, 2013. 

Pamela J. Hoppe, ChFC, CASL, RICP

Financial Planner, SpecialCare Planner

MassMutual Perimeter

3720 DaVinci Court, Suite 150

Peachtree Corners, GA 30092

PHONE: 404-704-3859

EMAIL: phoppe@financialguide.com

SpecialCare

SpecialCare is a program developed by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) that provides access to information and resources to families with dependents, of any age, with special needs.  The program’s mission is to help educate families and caregivers of people with special needs about the importance and steps in creating a life care plan to help provide a secure financial future.

As a MassMutual Special Care Planner, I can help families with dependents with special needs:

• Access local organizations and advocacy groups
• Protect future eligibility for government benefits
• Create a Life Care Plan¹
• Understand the financial and legal issues in special needs planning
• Determine funding options for special needs trusts
• Determine how much money is needed to provide for lifetime quality care

My process encourages communication with the family’s network; providing information, education and resources, and offering holistic solutions unique to each individual situation. 

I assist families by working with their advisors –banker, accountant, or financial services professional, special needs attorney, social workers, and health care providers to help:

• Address Current & Future Primary Concerns
• Uncover Potential Planning Pitfalls
• Prepare Wills & Other Legal Documents
• Identify Financial Resources
• Coordinate Assistance Programs
• Determine Current & Future-Plan/Care Costs
• Implement Necessary Strategies
• Prepare a Letter of Intent²
• Determine Appropriateness of a Special Needs Trust
• Identify Trustees, Guardians and Future Caregivers

¹ A Life Care Plan is a coordinated program of future care planning, financial, and legal strategies for people with disabilities and their families.  A Life Care Plan continually changes throughout an individual's lifetime and is provided by a team that may include your legal and tax advisors as well as insurance and investment professionals.

² A Letter of Intent is a way of communicating your desires and concerns, as well as caregiving instructions to future caregivers, guardians, trustees and advocates of dependents with special needs.

Dawn Johnson is the Director of Employment Services at Hi-Hope Service Center. She has worked in the developmental disabilities field for 20 years and is a passionate advocate for inclusive communities and real jobs. Dawn is Vice President of the Georgia Chapter of the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) and represents Georgia on the APSE National Public Policy Committee as a legislative liaison. In 2017, she was appointed to the Georgia State Rehabilitation Council to represent Georgians with cognitive disabilities.

Alicia Lipscomb
Public Affairs Specialist
Georgia Area Director’s Office
Social Security Administration

Alicia Lipscomb began her career with the Social Security
Administration in 2001 as a Claims Representative in the Winder, GA
Social Security office. In August 2008, Alicia was selected as the
Public Affairs Specialist for the Georgia Area Director’s Office, Social
Security Administration, which oversees 33 Social Security offices
and 2.1 million beneficiaries. In 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2018, she
received Deputy Commissioner Citations in recognition for her
contribution to SSA’s communication goals and objectives. When not
working, Alicia enjoys spending time with her children Charles and
Cecelia, watching her beloved University of Georgia Bulldogs and
travels whenever the opportunity arises.

Kim Martin is an attorney whose practice focuses on guardianship and special needs estate planning. Her areas of expertise also include divorce settlement agreements in cases that involve a special needs child. Kim serves on the Board of Directors of several organizations whose mission is to assist developmentally disabled children and adults, including “Just” People, Special Needs Cobb, and Branch Out Initiative. 

As the mother of two beautiful children, one of whom has Autism, Kim brings to her practice an appreciation for the unique challenges and joys of parenting a special needs child. She can be reached at kmartinspecialneedslaw@gmail.com or at kim@nadlerbiernath.com. 

Vanessa Pryor LCSW

Ms. Pryor is the Intake Coordinator for the 

She has over 20 years of experience serving individuals in the Behavioral Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) communities, and their stakeholders.

Jennifer was born in Georgia and grew up in the Peach State and Alabama. She completed her undergraduate degree in Accounting at Auburn University and later completed a Master’s degree at Denver Seminary. After spending a decade in Colorado and shortly after marrying a Colorado man, she returned to her Southern roots. A year later, she joined the team at the Office of the State Treasurer (OST) where one of her favorite parts of her multi-faceted job is serving as a liaison and advocate, of sorts, for Georgia STABLE in support of individuals with disabilities and their families. She and her husband have a 17-month-old little boy and are eagerly anticipating the addition of a little girl due in July.