RE: Managing the Art of Living Illinois Project accomplishments

[Guest guest]

Hi :

The " story of Quinn " is terrific. But, it sounds like an awful lot of work.

Can you give us some idea about the time commitment from start up to maintenance

of a Microboard?

Thanks.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Managing the Art of Living Illinois Project

accomplishments

Below is a summary of what we have accomplished thus far in Illinois. In

addition to the numbers, many people have begun to look at person centered

planning in a clearer light. We have given information sessions about

microboards and cooperatives that encourage people to invite others to

gather together to create a person centered pla;, we offer a small lending

library with books and fantastic DVDs that shows our vision of true person

centered planning.

A National Microboard Association has recently formed and the states who are

active in developing microboards have submitted similar updates of their

progress. Some have been around longer than Illinois and others are just

joining.

State Guiding Questions Submitted to National Microboard Association 9-12-08

Microboards were first learned about through a grant through the Illinois

Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities. Active work toward

development of microboards began in November 2007.

The grant consisted of a Project Administrator, Project Director, Project

Consultant for Microboards, 2 Project consultants for human service

cooperatives, 2 project consultants to provide PATH facilitation. Two part

time " Field Organizers " are working within the state.

Interest is being generated through:

information sessions, PAS agency sessions, in depth information sessions,

woven into PATH facilitation trainings, breakout sessions at conferences,

information booths, discussed if requested before or after a PATH, a full

day training on person centered planning is in development. A listserv has

been created with about 20 members. Articles are sent to people who

inquire. A radio station will feature a segment on our work. Timely

articles, Common question sheets and inspiration stories are going out

periodically to listservs, and featured in newsletters.

Numbers

4 microboards are incorporated.

5 microboards are in development.

Person Centered Practices

Through board training and the PATH process, we continually bring the group

back to person centered practices. PATHs are facilitated by volunteer

guides who have a attended a three day training. Their first PATH is

partnered with a more experienced PATH guide.

Support Entity

Support by pioneers in the development of microboards from Tennessee are

part of our project.

This is a statewide project, funded through the Illinois Planning council on

Developmental Disabilities.

Linkages with State entities.

Managing the Art of Living and the Illinois Department of Human Services are

working on licensing. Field Organizers have attended trainings for licensed

providers. The relationship is new, but good.

Relationships began through the support of the Planning Council.

Funding

At this time, no microboards have received public funds to provide support

or are licensed agencies. Added 9/29/08: We met with DHS Thursday,

September 25 and received provider applications. A summary of our meeting

will be available in October.

Barriers/Boosts

We have experienced delayed responses to correspondence from DHS. An in

person meeting is scheduled.

The Planning Council has expressed an interest in renewing the grant for two

more years.

Field Organizers are parents of children with disabilities, and one has

reported on benefits from the microboard they've started.

Microboard Outcomes

Heroes of the Game, Inc.

Two years ago, Quinn now aged 14 was removed from school because school

staff were unable to understand his complex communication and consequently

were unable to support his learning. Quinn made some changes, but more

importantly, those in Quinn's life made changes. We began to listen to him

more closely.

Through the Managing the Art of Living's PATH facilitation and the support

of the Heroes of the Game, Inc. members we have yielded some sweet benefits:

Our shift in thinking is evolving from direction and control to respect,

guidance and journeying alongside one another.

The president (who in this case is Quinn's mom) is more organized,

efficient and effective because she reports to a board who listens, cares

and offers creative ideas based on the report. She also feels strengthened

by their support which in turn makes her a better support to Quinn.

Quinn is, of course, a member of the board and enjoys the camaraderie of

having " people " . The Vice President's teenage son and daughter have asked

to become members of the microboard.

Board member created a facebook profile so Quinn has an opportunity to

put his best foot forward. Facebook has opportunities for " flair "

(customized buttons with favorite interests) a video link to his best

typing, and photos of great times with friends and family.

Through Facebook, Quinn has had conversations with friends old and new. He

also created an opportunity to write his aspirations for the year on his

" wall "

Quinn will attend a religious education program with a high school student

from our church. We invited him to attend a board meeting and he got to

meet a bunch of people who respect and care about Quinn. Additionally, we

welcomed his suggestions and perspective.

The board treasurer (who in this case is Quinn's dad) took over the update

on happenings in Quinn's life. Similarly, he attended the orientation for

the religious education program and gave brief talk about Quinn.

The President is learning little ways to invite people into Quinn's life.

Quinn is volunteering more at boyscouts.

Another board member has also been working to find ways to connect Quinn to

other high school students she knows and is planning some microenterprise

opportunities where Quinn can earn money and GIVE BACK.

As a board, we enjoy spending time together and sharing a meal.

Benefits received by the board are too many to mention. They've reported a

sense of honor in knowing they are part of Quinn's life. They are learning

about the complexity of his style of communication. They have benefitted

from the opportunity to give Quinn places to belong.

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen,

Thank you for asking. I, too, thought this would be a lot of work and I

guess it is a significant effort. But I've found this effort to be

strengthening and not a chore. Those who know me (Teri: chime in here!)

know I can easily identify challenges and am guilty of being quick to see

barriers.

The difficulty I have found has not been in the work of the board, but in

the inviting others to be part of Quinn's life. While I'm a fierce advocate

for Quinn, I can slip into thinking that people may not want to get to know

him. This may be about protecting me and my family from disappointment. We

have NOT found this to be the case. A commitment I need to make this year

is to log all the ways (big and small) Quinn has contributed to his friends,

allies and community. I have a great article I'd love to share with this

group - but I'll need to scan and email it privately, its not a word

document. Contact me with your email and I'll get it out.

The PATH takes about 2 hours. Microboard training takes about 4 hours

total, broken into two meetings. The board then meets (approximately) once

every month and can take however long they need to accomplish their plans.

Managing the Art of Living has templates of all the steps, so the work is

more about adapting from an existing framework. After about 6 months, the

group can decide to meet quarterly. Small committees may meet on their own

(membership, fundraising, bookkeeping). We haven't gotten that far yet.

Conference calls can be an option for people who don't live near by or

cannot attend in person. This should not relied on too heavily, because the

purpose of the board is to enhance relationships and community, particularly

for the focus person.

atives timelines vary greatly. There is a small cooperative

information that has met 4 times and has created their vision, bylaws and

are pursuing CILA funding. They have not yet become incorporated. I have a

7 steps process handout I can send in a moment.

Another cooperative is a group of 10 families who have developed their

mission, bylaws are incorporated and have begun the provider application.

They have a significant amount of support from their group. Both groups

are open to mentoring and welcome potential cooperatives to talk with them

about the process. Contact me via email and I can connect you with them.

From: IPADDUnite [mailto:IPADDUnite ] On

Behalf Of Ellen Bronfeld

Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 11:16 AM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: Managing the Art of Living Illinois Project

accomplishments

Hi :

The " story of Quinn " is terrific. But, it sounds like an awful lot of work.

Can you give us some idea about the time commitment from start up to

maintenance of a Microboard?

Thanks.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@... <mailto:egskb%40sbcglobal.net>

Managing the Art of Living Illinois Project

accomplishments

Below is a summary of what we have accomplished thus far in Illinois. In

addition to the numbers, many people have begun to look at person centered

planning in a clearer light. We have given information sessions about

microboards and cooperatives that encourage people to invite others to

gather together to create a person centered pla;, we offer a small lending

library with books and fantastic DVDs that shows our vision of true person

centered planning.

A National Microboard Association has recently formed and the states who are

active in developing microboards have submitted similar updates of their

progress. Some have been around longer than Illinois and others are just

joining.

State Guiding Questions Submitted to National Microboard Association 9-12-08

Microboards were first learned about through a grant through the Illinois

Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities. Active work toward

development of microboards began in November 2007.

The grant consisted of a Project Administrator, Project Director, Project

Consultant for Microboards, 2 Project consultants for human service

cooperatives, 2 project consultants to provide PATH facilitation. Two part

time " Field Organizers " are working within the state.

Interest is being generated through:

information sessions, PAS agency sessions, in depth information sessions,

woven into PATH facilitation trainings, breakout sessions at conferences,

information booths, discussed if requested before or after a PATH, a full

day training on person centered planning is in development. A listserv has

been created with about 20 members. Articles are sent to people who

inquire. A radio station will feature a segment on our work. Timely

articles, Common question sheets and inspiration stories are going out

periodically to listservs, and featured in newsletters.

Numbers

4 microboards are incorporated.

5 microboards are in development.

Person Centered Practices

Through board training and the PATH process, we continually bring the group

back to person centered practices. PATHs are facilitated by volunteer

guides who have a attended a three day training. Their first PATH is

partnered with a more experienced PATH guide.

Support Entity

Support by pioneers in the development of microboards from Tennessee are

part of our project.

This is a statewide project, funded through the Illinois Planning council on

Developmental Disabilities.

Linkages with State entities.

Managing the Art of Living and the Illinois Department of Human Services are

working on licensing. Field Organizers have attended trainings for licensed

providers. The relationship is new, but good.

Relationships began through the support of the Planning Council.

Funding

At this time, no microboards have received public funds to provide support

or are licensed agencies. Added 9/29/08: We met with DHS Thursday,

September 25 and received provider applications. A summary of our meeting

will be available in October.

Barriers/Boosts

We have experienced delayed responses to correspondence from DHS. An in

person meeting is scheduled.

The Planning Council has expressed an interest in renewing the grant for two

more years.

Field Organizers are parents of children with disabilities, and one has

reported on benefits from the microboard they've started.

Microboard Outcomes

Heroes of the Game, Inc.

Two years ago, Quinn now aged 14 was removed from school because school

staff were unable to understand his complex communication and consequently

were unable to support his learning. Quinn made some changes, but more

importantly, those in Quinn's life made changes. We began to listen to him

more closely.

Through the Managing the Art of Living's PATH facilitation and the support

of the Heroes of the Game, Inc. members we have yielded some sweet benefits:

Our shift in thinking is evolving from direction and control to respect,

guidance and journeying alongside one another.

The president (who in this case is Quinn's mom) is more organized,

efficient and effective because she reports to a board who listens, cares

and offers creative ideas based on the report. She also feels strengthened

by their support which in turn makes her a better support to Quinn.

Quinn is, of course, a member of the board and enjoys the camaraderie of

having " people " . The Vice President's teenage son and daughter have asked

to become members of the microboard.

Board member created a facebook profile so Quinn has an opportunity to

put his best foot forward. Facebook has opportunities for " flair "

(customized buttons with favorite interests) a video link to his best

typing, and photos of great times with friends and family.

Through Facebook, Quinn has had conversations with friends old and new. He

also created an opportunity to write his aspirations for the year on his

" wall "

Quinn will attend a religious education program with a high school student

from our church. We invited him to attend a board meeting and he got to

meet a bunch of people who respect and care about Quinn. Additionally, we

welcomed his suggestions and perspective.

The board treasurer (who in this case is Quinn's dad) took over the update

on happenings in Quinn's life. Similarly, he attended the orientation for

the religious education program and gave brief talk about Quinn.

The President is learning little ways to invite people into Quinn's life.

Quinn is volunteering more at boyscouts.

Another board member has also been working to find ways to connect Quinn to

other high school students she knows and is planning some microenterprise

opportunities where Quinn can earn money and GIVE BACK.

As a board, we enjoy spending time together and sharing a meal.

Benefits received by the board are too many to mention. They've reported a

sense of honor in knowing they are part of Quinn's life. They are learning

about the complexity of his style of communication. They have benefitted

from the opportunity to give Quinn places to belong.