The Autism Society of the Mahoning Valley is launching a new project to help parents prepare for their special needs child for when the parent is no longer around. 

Inspired by the true story of a local special needs single dad who faced a life-threatening health crisis, the Autism Society is launching Sophia's Gift, a multi-part family trust project. 

The project begins with a free family workshop series led by local attorneys to help them prepare for their unique needs.

A recent community survey determined that the majority of local families lack understanding and, as a result, do not have legal guardianship, stable accounts, or a Special Needs Trust established to establish a care system for an adult child with special needs to care for their children when they are gone.

These one hour workshops will focus on legal and financial needs. Similar information will be shared at each session, but people are encouraged to attend as many session as they would like. 

Attendees can meet local experts, and workshops are scheduled at varied times and locations to accommodate the work and schedules of the families in the three counties the Autism Society serves. 

The first workshop will be held on Saturday, August 12, at 10 AM at the Canfield Library at 43 W. Main St., Canfield. 

Attorney Karen Bovard of the firm Johnson & Johnson will be the featured speaker. Future workshops will be in Columbiana, Youngstown, and Niles. 

A full schedule and more information can be found here.