Newsletter
December 2025
2025 Year in Review
As we reach the end of 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the year with deep appreciation. Each day, we are reminded that the work we do is only possible because of the trust you place in us.
Personnel news – Ben Tiefenback, Esq. is CCT's Counsel and Director of Client Services, which encompasses our staff that provide services to prospects and our beneficiaries and advocates. I am pleased to report that Ben is assuming control of CCT’s New Clients team, which are now under his supervision as part of the Client Services department.
Ben has a background in private practice as a trust and special needs attorney, and has been with CCT for over two years. He serves on the board of the Alliance of Pooled Trusts, representing CCT. Ben takes great pride in and enjoys working with colleagues, beneficiaries, and advocates, and frequently presents on special needs trust topics throughout the United States. Outside counsel who work with CCT appreciate his knowledge, dedication, and flexible approach to onboarding new clients and handling trust transfers. Call Ben with your questions about clients that can benefit from a pooled trust with CCT.
Rachel Baer, Counsel and Director of New Clients, has resigned effective December 16, 2025. We appreciate the numerous contributions that Rachel has made in her time at CCT and wish her the best.
This year brought new challenges, meaningful milestones, and countless reminders of the strength and resilience of the people we serve. Our team remains committed to meeting each individual where they are, supporting their goals, and honoring their unique path forward.
On behalf of the CCT staff, we wish you a joyful holiday season, and extend our best wishes for a New Year filled with health, prosperity, and continued success.
With gratitude for the opportunity to serve our clients and the trust you have in us,
Joanne Marcus, MSW
President & CEO
Director of Legal Services and Communication
CCT is a growing nationwide nonprofit organization that offers pooled trust administration services for individuals who are vulnerable, injured, or have special needs. Our staff provides the highest quality of service based on best practices and the agency’s code of ethics. This is an opportunity to take pride in our mission to serve the special needs and vulnerable communities.
As part of the organization’s leadership team, reporting directly to the President/CEO, the Director of Legal Services and Communication serves in a strategic role overseeing legal affairs and internal/external communications. This position ensures compliance with legal requirements, mitigates risk, and develops messaging that reflects the organization’s mission, values, and goals. Candidates should have a passion for supporting the special needs community. The role includes responsibilities such as delivering in-person and virtual presentations and representing the organization at conferences, which will require travel. The office is in Richmond, Virginia.
Please submit your resume along with a cover letter to HR@trustCCT.org or contact Joanne Marcus, MSW, President/CEO, at jmarcus@trustCCT.org, (804) 740-6930 to discuss this opportunity. Individuals with experience as an attorney or trust officer are encouraged to apply.
Click the video below to see how CCT supports families.
Annual Board Meeting
Joanne Marcus MSW, President & CEO pictured with newly installed Board Chair, Cheryl Page, CFA, CFP®
Stephen Burns, Esq. rotated off the board after completing his 9 year tenure.
Jason Foster, Director of Finance & Operations presenting CCT's 2026 Budget to the board.
Joanne Marcus MSW, President & CEO pictured with newly installed board member Mary Rennie Rowe Litman, Esq.
Joanne Marcus MSW, President & CEO pictured with newly installed board member Bill Pilc, CPA.
We gratefully acknowledge the leadership, dedication, and valuable contributions of our outgoing Board Chair, Alex Badman, Esq.
Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments
Settlement Preservation Pooled Trust (SPPT)
We’re proud to announce exciting growth in our Settlement Preservation Pooled Trust (SPPT), serving vulnerable children and adults. SPPT is a powerful solution for attorneys seeking to protect their clients’ assets, especially for individuals and minors who may not have a disability but need a secure way to manage and preserve assets from settlements. With our SPPT, you can be sure your clients’ funds are safeguarded for their future needs, offering peace of mind and financial stability. Partner with us and discover how the SPPT can make a difference for your clients.
Group Transfers: A Growing Area of Expansion
Group transfers have emerged as another significant area of growth for our organization. In 2025 alone, we oversaw the transfer from a pooled special needs trust of 57 beneficiaries. A testament to our expanding reach and the trust placed in our services. Looking ahead, we anticipate two additional large group transfers in 2026.
Individual Transfers
We have managed individual transfers from banks and other financial institutions, further broadening our impact and demonstrating our commitment to streamlining asset management solutions for a diverse range of clients.
Explore Our Newly Enhanced Website Section
We’re excited to share that we have enhanced the Professional section of our website to better support attorneys and other valued partners. These improvements underscore our commitment to serving legal professionals. Explore topics like Beneficiary Designation, Court Order Language, Power of Attorney, 65 and Older, Trust Transfers and more.
We are here to support you and one way we can do that is going over your drafts. Contact us today to submit a draft for review.
2025 Annual Client Satisfaction Survey Results
We are so grateful for the trust you place in us by referring clients to us. We do our best every day to live up to that trust. We are excited to share the results of this year’s client satisfaction survey.
“I’m very grateful for the services provided by CCT. The staff has been wonderful—always patient, understanding, and willing to help me navigate anything I need. I feel respected and valued every time I reach out, and that means so much to me. Thank you for everything you do."
- J. Bello, Beneficiary
“I am so very blessed that C.C.T. has accepted my special needs trust funds to hold and manage the funds held in my trust account. 💯👍🙌🙌🙌🙏🙏🙏
- C. Heron, Beneficiary
“I recently needed guidance on proceeding with home modifications for our daughter and the staff was there to help us along the way!”
- D. Hale, Advocate
The survey was distributed to each beneficiary or their advocate, and CCT received an overwhelmingly positive response from over 300 participants. The results highlight the dedication of our professional, compassionate staff and our commitment to a client-centered approach.
Client feedback is invaluable to us, which is why we have conducted an annual Client Satisfaction Survey since 2002. While we deeply appreciate the consistently high ratings we receive, we place equal importance on feedback that identifies opportunities for improvement, helping us enhance the services we provide.
3,392 Beneficiaries Served Since 1990
As a nationwide organization, CCT is proud to serve beneficiaries in 48 states.
Monthly Professional Newsletter
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter! We appreciate your interest and welcome your feedback on topics you’d like us to include in future editions.
Our monthly newsletter reaches an audience of 4,500 professionals, including lawyers, paralegals, social workers, finance experts, insurance specialists, marketers, and government professionals. If you know someone who would be interested in reading our newsletter, please let us know.
Conferences & Presentations
Joanne Marcus, MSW
President & CEO
jmarcus@trustCCT.org
Ben Tiefenback, Esq.
Counsel & Director of Client Services
btiefenback@trustCCT.org
December
December 2, 2025 | National Academy of Continuing Legal Education – Webinar – CLE Presentation by Ben Tiefenback, Esq. - Protecting Vulnerable Plaintiffs: Special Needs Trusts, Public Benefits, and Settlement Planning
December 16, 2025 | American Bar Association – Webinar – Presentation by Ben Tiefenback, Esq. – Evaluating Pooled Trusts
January
January 14, 2026 | Richmond Board of Trust Administrators - Presentation by Ben Tiefenback, Esq. - Managing Disbursement Challenges in Trust Administration: Fiduciary Responsibilities, and Legal Considerations
January 18, 2026 | Friendship Circle of Virginia – Annual Disability Expo
January 22, 2026 | Minnesota State Bar Association – Webinar – CLE Presentation by Ben Tiefenback, Esq. – Managing Disbursement Challenges in Trust Administration: Fiduciary Responsibilities, and Legal Considerations
February
February 5, 2026 | West Virginia Charleston Estate Planning Council – Presentation by Kaylan Hood - Pooled Special Needs Trusts: An Important Tool to Protect Clients & Preserve Public Benefits
February 5-6, 2026 | West Virginia Association for Justice – Mid-Winter Convention
February 6, 2026 | Arkansas Bar Association – Probate and Trust Law/Elder Law NW CLE - CLE Presentation by Thomas Smith, Esq.
February 11, 2026 | Fairfax Bar Association – Presentation by Rachel Baer, Esq. – Managing Disbursement Challenges in Trust Administration: Fiduciary Responsibilities, and Legal Considerations
February 12, 2026 | The Greater Longview Estate Planning Council – Webinar – Presentation by Ben Tiefenback, Esq. – Managing Disbursement Challenges in Trust Administration: Fiduciary Responsibilities, and Legal Considerations
February 22-24, 2026 | Society of Settlement Planners – Annual Conference
(Click the Image to Watch the Video)
