Albert N. Solomon Memorial Trust Fund (Solomon Award)

Background: The Albert N. Solomon Memorial Trust Fund (formerly known as the PADARC Trust Fund) was established in 1988 exclusively to benefit certified Dever Class Members. Albert Solomon was a dedicated and long-time board member of PLAN.

Geographic Scope: Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Eligibility:

• Certified Dever Class Members in the lawsuit Massachusetts Association of Retarded Citizens, et al v. Michael Dukakis, C.A. 75-5210-T
• A certified Dever Class Member is anyone who either resided at or was 'on the books' pending discharge from the Paul A. Dever School or Developmental Center, between December 17, 1975 and May 25, 1993
• Must have no other financial resources available from parents, siblings, or trusts

Priority Focus Areas:

• Clothing
• Furniture
• Day trips
• Special items of particular importance to the individual (must specify)
• Priority given to requests from individuals who have not received an award in two of the last three years
• Greater specificity about the item/service requested increases chances of receiving the award

What is NOT Funded:

• Requests for services mandated by an individual's ISP (Individualized Service Plan)
• Items/services considered prohibited under PLAN's disbursement guidelines

Award Structure: Individuals who receive an award will be reimbursed for the item or service after approval. The typical process is: agency or individual purchases the item/service, then submits the receipt for reimbursement.

Contact Information:

• Phone MA: 617-244-5552
• Phone RI: 401-234-8444
• Email: [email protected]
• Mailing Address: PLAN of MA & RI, Inc., 50 Cabot Street, Suite 206, Needham, MA 02494 (ATT: Lucille Cassis)
• New Address (as of May 1, 2026): 50 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 110, Braintree, MA 02184

Application Process

Submission Deadline: Application must be postmarked or received via email no later than September 7, 2020 (Note: This is a historical deadline from 2020; current deadlines should be confirmed directly with PLAN)

Receipt Deadline: Receipts must be postmarked or received via email no later than December 31, 2020

Who Can Apply:

• Individuals
• Families
• Agencies and organizations offering services to Dever Class Members
• Guardianship services providers

Application Methods:

1. Paper Submission:
   • Mail completed Grant Application to:
   • PLAN of MA & RI, Inc.
   • 50 Cabot Street, Suite 206
   • Needham, MA 02494
   • ATT: Lucille Cassis
   • Postmark by September 7, 2020
   • May include receipts for items/services already purchased (keep copies for your records; send originals)
2. Digital Submission:
   • Go to: https://planofma-ri.org/grants/solomon-award/
   • Complete the fillable PDF form
   • Save a copy for your files
   • Email the completed form to: [email protected]
   • Subject line should include: Dever Class Member's [first initial, last name] – 'Solomon Application'
   • May scan and attach receipt(s) to the email

Required Materials:

• Completed Grant Application form
• Receipts for items/services (can be submitted with application or by December 31, 2020)

Important Notes:

• Including a receipt with the application DOES NOT guarantee payment
• Applications are evaluated on a variety of factors and must be pre-approved before reimbursement
• Items or services already purchased from January 1, 2020 onward will be considered