TONIGHT! Coffee talk about PATH, Microboards and atives Thursday, November 13 in Huntley at 7:00 pm.

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I welcome you to join me Thursday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. in Huntley at

Nikos restaurant located at 11900 Freeman Rd, (right outside the Huntley

Mall) to discuss the PATH process, and the development of microboards and

cooperatives. Through these processes, our project is dedicated to and has

successfully a support to families and their allies in realizing our deepest

wishes for our kids:

the real wish that underlies all of the other 'wishes' - is that our kids be

loved and honoured and closely held. We wish that they will live in

companionship and friendship. We hope that their wishes, and our wishes for

them, will be heard and understood and honoured. We wish for 'regular

lives'. We wish that our children's gifts will be sought, and seen, and

cherished by the whole community

Dave Wetherow www.communityworks.org <http://www.communityworks.org/> )

We guide and support people with disabilities and their allies in the

development of microboards and Human Service cooperatives.

A beginning point in the development of microboards is PATH (Planning

Alternative Tomorrows with Hope). We have a network of trained PATH

facilitators who meet with the focus person and their allies to create new,

positive futures. However, our project is available to facilitate a PATH

even if a microboard or cooperative is not pursued.

What is a microboard? a cooperative?

Who would benefit from a microboard or cooperative?

Where do I go to learn more?

A Microboard is formed when a small (micro) group of committed family and

friends join together with a person who is vulnerable to create a non-profit

organization (board). Together this small group of people address the

person's planning and support needs in an empowering and customized fashion.

A Microboard comes out of the person centered planning philosophy and is

created for the sole support of one individual. Managing the Art of Living,

a project funded through the Illinois Planning Council on Developmental

Disabilities embraces the following beliefs regarding the role of

microboards in individuals' lives:

*Microboards afford individuals needed flexibility in carrying out their

daily lives.

*Microboard members share their status in the community with the individual

by serving on their board.

*Microboard members develop a deep knowledge of the individual's needs,

desires, wishes and dreams.

*Microboards form a commitment with the individual and their family they

support to carry out their work in ways that promote inclusion and

self-determination.

*Microboards develop the capacity to endure and remain constant in the

individual's life.

*Microboards serve as a safeguard for quality supports and fiscal

accountability.

*Microboards identify and celebrate the gifts of the individual and their

capacity to share their gifts with those whom they love and their community.

*Microboards carry the dreams of the individual and their family for the

future as they walk their path.

*Microboards build bridges between the individual, their family and their

community at large.

* Microboards create a trust network where the individual, their family and

members feel safe to share openly their dreams and concerns.

*Microboards serve as good stewards of the resources that are available for

the support of the individual and their family.

*Microboards build mutual sharing and receiving relationships with the

individual, their family and the community as a whole.

* Microboards explore and pay attention to the culture of life that

surrounds the individual and their family and honor the diversity that

exists in all communities.

Managing the Art of Living is committed to working with individuals and

families across Illinois to nurture a community where everyone, the

individuals with disabilities, family members, microboard members, and

welcomed friends, are valued and have the opportunity to learn, grow, and

prosper.

The PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope) process is critical tool

toward helping people identify their hopes and dreams for the future.

Together, with trained volunteer PATH guides, their closest friends and

family members, individuals identify concrete goals that are positive and

possible. Then, the group enrolls themselves and others to carry out the

concrete action steps needed to move forward. PATHs are a driving force

behind microboards.

Human Service atives:

An HSCR company is a new form of human service provider delivering services

based on the policy direction of its members. Its members are families and

individuals who use human services provided by the cooperative.

When individuals or families, through cooperation, become their own

provider, they join together with others to ensure services meet their needs

and are of the quality they demand. Within the co-op, self-determination no

longer occurs in isolation, members a collective of people with similar

concerns. The company focuses on supporting all members.

Example: Most of Craig's daily life has been spent worrying about his

services from basic daily tasks to achieving more fulfilling activities. As

soon as he saw the change, he joined a human service co-op.

Today Craig has control of his services. Not only to manage the direction

of the company, but also on a personal level. He interviews, selects and

schedules his staff. He coordinates their assignments, trains, them,

develops his own habilitation plan and has the freedom to make changes based

on his health or even the weather. Craig's carefree spirit has been set

free. " I knew it would make a difference, but I had no idea how much more

relaxed I would feel, having control of my services like this. "

The Federated HSCR is also directed and owned by member certified HSCR

companies. Organizations that are self directed and providing services to

people with disabilities are eligible to carry the HSCR certification logo.

The Federated HSC provides a variety of support services to local HSC

companies. According to The International ative Alliance, (ICA),

" atives are based on the values of self-help, self responsibility,

democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. "

Microboards and atives are possible and exist in other states across

the country.

Managing the Art of Living specializes in helping people who are not

satisfied with the current system and are willing to put the effort in to

the development of a microboard or cooperative.

For more information visit: www.managingtheartofliving.org

<http://www.managingtheartofliving.org/> or in the Chicago area call Teri

Steinberg(847-831-4540), in surrounding Northern Illinois: Partridge

(815-262-0699) or Jill Rodgers, Project Director at 615-225-8789.

Project Consultants are:

Ruthie Marie Beckwith and Jill Rodgers of Tennessee who are integral in

developing and supporting over 80 microboards in and outside of Tennessee.

They are pioneers in the field and have many years of success. Their

website is: www.tnmicroboards.org <http://www.tnmicroboards.org/>

Gale and Holly Bohling of Federated HSC guide and support Human Service

atives in various states including Arizona, Tennessee, Michigan,

California and Illinois. Their dynamic approach has inspired over 100

families to benefit from cooperatives across the United States. Visit

<http://www.federatedhsc.coop/> www.federatedhsc.coop learn more about this

Jack Pearpoint and Lynda Kahn are the PATH trainers. Jack is one of the

founding developers of the MAPs (McGill Action Plan) and PATH process.

Their PATH facilitation training is inspiring, energizing and strength

building to those who value people with disabilities and know we can all

lead rich lives filled with meaningful relationships. More information about

their work can be found at www.inclusion.com <http://www.inclusion.com/>

Managing the Art of Living is a grant funded through the Illinois Planning

Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Partridge, M.S.

Northern Illinois Field Organizer

Managing the Art of Living

www.managingtheartofliving.org

815-262-0699

Partridge

Northern Illinois Field Organizer

Managing the Art of Living

www.managingtheartofliving.org

815-262-0699

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