BDI Empowers

Ep.10: From Pediatric Care to Adult Living: How Home & Community Supports Promote Independence and Safety

In this episode, we're going to walk through the transition from childhood to adulthood, including discussing what changes after pediatric care, common challenges for caregivers, community based supports, how to support independence, and when to consider additional support.
 
** FOLLOW BDI **
✅ Bobby Dodd Institute: https://www.bobbydodd.org/ ✅ Facebook: @bobbydoddinstitute ✅ LinkedIn: @bobby-dodd-institute ✅ Instagram: @bobbydoddinstitute ✅ Threads: @bobbydoddinstitute
 
** ABOUT BOBBY DODD INSTITUTE **
BDI offers a continuum of support for all ages, stages and levels of need for people with disabilities and their families. The BDI mission is to empower people with differing abilities to maximize their potential by securing economic self-sufficiency, independence and inclusion within their communities.

Ep. 9: Stress Management for Families Helping Teens with Disabilities Adjust to Life After High School

In this episode, we'll talk about the transition from high school to adulthood, the challenges it brings, and tips for caregivers whose loved ones are navigating that transition.
 
** FOLLOW BDI **✅ Bobby Dodd Institute: https://www.bobbydodd.org/✅ Facebook: @bobbydoddinstitute  ✅ LinkedIn: @bobby-dodd-institute  ✅ Instagram: @bobbydoddinstitute  ✅ Threads: @bobbydoddinstitute
 
** ABOUT BOBBY DODD INSTITUTE **BDI offers a continuum of support for all ages, stages and levels of need for people with disabilities and their families. The BDI mission is to empower people with differing abilities to maximize their potential by securing economic self-sufficiency, independence and inclusion within their communities.

Ep. 8: The Best Ways to Handle an SSI Overpayment in 2026

In this episode, we’ll walk through what an SSI overpayment actually is, why overpayments happen so often, what to do immediately if you get a notice, the best ways to challenge, reduce, or resolve an overpayment in 2026, and how working with a benefits counselor can make all the difference.
 
** FOLLOW BDI **
✅ Bobby Dodd Institute: https://www.bobbydodd.org/
✅ Facebook: @bobbydoddinstitute
✅ LinkedIn: @bobby-dodd-institute
✅ Instagram: @bobbydoddinstitute
✅ Threads: @bobbydoddinstitute
 
** ABOUT BOBBY DODD INSTITUTE **
BDI offers a continuum of support for all ages, stages and levels of need for people with disabilities and their families. The BDI mission is to empower people with differing abilities to maximize their potential by securing economic self-sufficiency, independence and inclusion within their communities.

Understanding Representative Payees and Trust Representatives: What They Do and Why They Matter

Today’s episode is all about two very important roles that often come up when someone receives disability benefits: Representative Payees and Trust Representatives. These roles exist to protect benefits, manage money responsibly, and support long-term stability—but they do very different things. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand what each role is, what responsibilities come with each, why these roles matter so much, and when someone might need one—or both.
 
** FOLLOW BDI **
✅ Bobby Dodd Institute: https://www.bobbydodd.org/
✅ Facebook: @bobbydoddinstitute
✅ LinkedIn: @bobby-dodd-institute
✅ Instagram: @bobbydoddinstitute
✅ Threads: @bobbydoddinstitute
 
** ABOUT BOBBY DODD INSTITUTE **
BDI offers a continuum of support for all ages, stages and levels of need for people with disabilities and their families. The BDI mission is to empower people with differing abilities to maximize their potential by securing economic self-sufficiency, independence and inclusion within their communities.

Ep. 6: What is Medicaid Payback, Who It Affects, and How to Protect Your Assets

If you’re a person with a disability, a caregiver, or a family member navigating complex benefits, you already know that the financial side of disability services can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s incredibly important—but often misunderstood—and that is Medicaid Payback, who it applies to, and what you can do to protect your or your loved one’s assets.
 
** FOLLOW BDI **
✅ Bobby Dodd Institute: https://www.bobbydodd.org/
✅ Facebook: @bobbydoddinstitute
✅ LinkedIn: @bobby-dodd-institute
✅ Instagram: @bobbydoddinstitute
✅ Threads: @bobbydoddinstitute
 
** ABOUT BOBBY DODD INSTITUTE **
BDI offers a continuum of support for all ages, stages and levels of need for people with disabilities and their families. The BDI mission is to empower people with differing abilities to maximize their potential by securing economic self-sufficiency, independence and inclusion within their communities.

How to Keep Your Benefits Safe When Working with a Disability

If you’re a person with a disability, or you’re a caregiver supporting a loved one, you already know that navigating benefits can feel complicated — especially when work enters the picture. Many families worry that even a small job or part-time work might jeopardize essential supports like SSI, SSDI, or Medicaid. 
In this episode, we’re talking about how to keep your benefits safe while working, how to understand the rules for SSI and SSDI, and how to take advantage of the powerful work incentive programs that exist to help you succeed in the workplace without losing the supports you rely on. 
Let’s get started. 

How to Choose the best Medicaid Waiver for Your Needs

Medicaid waivers and how to figure out which services are right for you or your loved one. You know how stressful it can be thinking about the future. We work hard to make sure we have income through Social Security, health insurance through Medicaid or Medicare, but services are key. That’s what we’re going to focus on today.

Parent-Tested Behavioral Strategies to Handle Meltdowns that Actually Work

If you care for someone with autism or mental health challenges, then you probably know exactly what a meltdown feels like. That moment when emotions overflow, everything feels upside down, and it seems like nothing can stop the situation from escalating. It’s overwhelming, exhausting and often isolating. With the right tools, mindset and a little support, it is possible to create a calmer, more supportive environment for your loved one and yourself. In this episode, we’ll walk through real-life, practical strategies to help you manage meltdowns more proactively. From understanding the “why” behind the behavior to creating routines that support emotional regulation, this episode covers it all.

Things You Need to Know to Manage the Shift from Pediatric to Adult Disability Care

The transition from pediatric to adult healthcare is a significant change. It’s exciting but also stressful for families, and without preparation, gaps in care can happen. 
In 2003, Blessing Udo, PhD, RN, became a mother to twin girls. One of them was medically fragile. Her journey through months in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), multiple hospital stays, and the emotional toll of caring for a fragile child led her to create a pediatric home care agency built on compassion and quality. Now, she brings her experience and insight to help other families navigate the road ahead.
In this episode Dr. Udo explains what to expect, when to start, and how to support your child as he or she grows to become an adult.

Changes to SSI You Need to Know About in 2025

In this episode, Anna Maki, walks you through the latest changes and insights surrounding Social Security Disability benefits and more. Anna covers all the recent changes and what these changes mean for you. Who is Anna Maki?Anna Maki is the Director, Program Services, at Bobby Dodd Institute. Anna earned her Juris Doctorate at the University of Georgia School of Law and has a Master’s in Community Counseling specializing in clinical diagnoses and addressing issues impacting individuals with developmental disabilities. She developed BDI’s Benefits Navigation program in 2016, and since then has served more than 1500 families and secured more than 400  million in lifetime benefits for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Anna also serves as a Community Partner Work Incentive Counselor with Social Security Administration.** FOLLOW BDI **✅ Bobby Dodd Institute: https://www.bobbydodd.org/✅ Facebook: @bobbydoddinstitute ✅ LinkedIn: @bobby-dodd-institute ✅ Instagram: @bobbydoddinstitute ✅ Threads: @bobbydoddinstitute