Caught up in the daily responsibilities of caring for a child with a disability, parents often push financial planning to the back burner. Postponing financial planning is understandable when a child's daily needs are more pressing, but this lapse can result in someone else choosing a child's future if the parents become unable to oversee his or her care.

Easter Seals and the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) have collaborated to create a 72-page financial planning booklet for parents, caregivers, grandparents or others involved in the care of a child with special needs. The booklet is called With Open Arms: Embracing a Bright Financial Future for You and Your Child with Disabilities and Other Special Needs.

Included in the booklet is information on estate planning, finding the right lawyer or knowledgeable financial planner, wills, special needs trusts, government benefits, savings options insurance plans and other available resources.

Easter Seals and NEFE encourage families to start financial planning when their child with a disability is at a young age. The booklet encourages parents to take a realistic look at long-term financial planning and offers practical, hands-on guidance. One useful worksheet titled "making a Spending Plan" provides space for listing monthly income, identifying expenses, and more. Parents are reminded that their savings plan is important for the entire family, the child with a disability, his or her siblings, and parents themselves.

To order a copy of this free booklet, send a $5.00 check for shipping/handling for each booklet, payable to Easter Seals. Mail to: With Open Arms/Easter Seals, 230 W. Monroe, Suite 1800, Chicago, IL 60606.

For questions, contact Joan Fishman at 1-800-221-6827 x 7136, or visit the Easter Seals website.