The article outlines how early preparation supports eligibility for benefits, decision-making, and continuity of care for individuals with disabilities.

CARY, N.C., July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — When should families begin special needs planning to protect long-term access to services and legal rights? In an article featured on HelloNation, attorney Amy Osborne of Law Offices Amy Whinery Osborne, PC, in Cary, North Carolina, explains why early planning is essential. According to Osborne, many families wait until a child with disabilities approaches adulthood to prepare, but this delay can hinder eligibility for key programs and limit decision-making options. Beginning the process well before the child reaches 18 allows for smoother transitions and the establishment of appropriate legal frameworks in advance.

The article explains that reaching age 18 marks a shift in legal status, with individuals presumed to have full decision-making capacity unless the court determines otherwise. This has direct implications for guardianship, medical consent, and financial management. Osborne details the legal avenues available to families, including formal guardianship petitions and alternatives such as supported decision-making and special needs powers of attorney. These tools must be evaluated in light of the individual’s capacity and long-term care requirements.

Equally important is the financial dimension of planning. Osborne emphasizes the role of special needs trusts in maintaining eligibility for public benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. These trusts must be structured to comply with strict asset rules and should be created well in advance of receiving inheritances or gifts. Early preparation also supports timely coordination with schools, state agencies, and regional centers that often have complex documentation and assessment requirements for services.

Families are encouraged to take a long-term view by developing letters of intent, housing plans, and successor guardian strategies. These elements ensure continuity in care and provide clear direction in the event of a parent’s incapacity. As Osborne notes in ” How Early Planning Supports a Child With Special Needs, ” a proactive approach helps reduce administrative delays and positions families to make thoughtful, informed decisions that support the individual’s lifelong well-being.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative “edvertising” approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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SOURCE HelloNation

NEW YORK, July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — S&P SmallCap 600 constituent BrightSpring Health Services Inc. (NASD: BTSG) will replace Chart Industries Inc. (NYSE: GTLS) in the S&P MidCap 400, and Karman Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KRMN) will replace BrightSpring Health Services in the S&P SmallCap 600 effective prior to the opening of trading on Friday, July 17. S&P 500 constituent Baker Hughes Co. (NASD: BKR) is to acquire Chart Industries in a deal expected to close July 16, pending final closing conditions.

Following is a summary of the changes that will take place prior to the open of trading on the effective date:

ABOUT S&P DOW JONES INDICES

S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has been innovating and developing indices across the spectrum of asset classes helping to define the way investors measure and trade the markets.

S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

S&P Dow Jones Indices
index_services@spglobal.com

Media Inquiries
spdji.comms@spglobal.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brightspring-health-services-set-to-join-sp-midcap-400-and-karman-holdings-to-join-sp-smallcap-600-302825665.html

SOURCE S&P Dow Jones Indices

Sandbox VR brings the ‘best virtual reality experience on the planet’ to Denver

DENVER, July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sandbox VR, the world’s premier destination for premium location-based virtual reality experiences, has opened its newest location in Denver, Colorado. The location in the trendy ‘RiNo’ River North Art District of Denver joins Smack Entertainment LLC’s existing location in Virginia Beach, VA, and Sandbox VR’s additional Colorado location in Lone Tree. With nearly 150,000 players monthly, Sandbox VR is rapidly growing its global footprint with thriving corporate-owned locations and a robust franchising program.

Sandbox VR’s 7,490 sq ft location in the lively ‘RiNo’ River North Art District of Denver features three private rooms where groups of up to six guests suit up with headsets, haptic vests, and motion sensors for full-body immersion. This technology allows players to see and physically interact with one another, creating the feeling of living inside the action together. The premium experience extends from arrival to exit, with personalized highlight videos allowing guests to relive and share their adventures.

“We’re excited to expand our relationship with Scott Boren through an additional franchise location in a key market,” said Steve Zhao, CEO and Founder of Sandbox VR. “Scott has had success with his Virginia Beach location, which opened last year, and we’re excited to continue that momentum with this new venue.”

“As I’ve seen first-hand with our initial Sandbox VR location, there is a huge demand from consumers for more immersive entertainment,” said Scott Boren, Franchise Owner, Sandbox VR. “We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with the Sandbox VR team and offer these incredible experiences to guests across Denver.”

Sandbox VR operates both corporate-owned locations and a robust franchise program, and recently hit $300M in lifetime sales while scaling to more than 85 global locations across five continents and 12 countries since launching in 2016. The company is redefining group entertainment with immersive experiences that transform any outing into lasting memories. Built by a team of veteran developers from EA, Sony, and Ubisoft, Sandbox VR delivers full-body immersion through exclusive content and original experiences, including the recently launched Stranger Things: Catalyst, in collaboration with Netflix, and the new Age of Dinosaurs experience in partnership with the Natural History Museum of London and leading dinosaur experts.

Sandbox VR provides an unparalleled entertainment experience with over 200,000 five-star reviews from guests worldwide. With 5 million lifetime tickets sold across five continents, the company has established itself as the global leader in location-based virtual reality. Sandbox VR is backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners, Craft, and Stanford University, along with individuals such as Kevin Durant, Justin Timberlake, and Katy Perry.

To learn more about Sandbox VR Denver, visit https://sandboxvr.com/denver.

ABOUT SANDBOX VR

Sandbox VR is the world’s premier destination for location-based virtual reality experiences. Operating across 85+ venues around the globe through a robust franchise and corporate-owned model, Sandbox VR attracts nearly 150,000 guests each month. Sandbox VR provides guests the opportunity to step out of everyday reality into unforgettable adventures through exhilarating, group-play immersive experiences. Using a proprietary full-body VR platform, the company develops original and licensed content, including exclusive experiences like Stranger Things: Catalyst and Squid Game Virtuals in collaboration with Netflix, and the Sandbox VR original Deadwood series. With over 5 million tickets sold worldwide, Sandbox VR has become the leader in immersive entertainment, combining premium technology with emotionally engaging storytelling. Recognized as one of Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Companies and the 129th fastest-growing company on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, Sandbox VR is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Hong Kong and Vancouver. The company has raised over $138 million from investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners, and Craft, with individual backers including Justin Timberlake, Kevin Durant, and Will Smith.

Media Contact:

Media@SandboxVR.com

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SOURCE Sandbox VR