MICROBOARDS, SELF-EMPLOYMENT AND MICRO-ENTERPRISES

[Guest guest]

I am sending the minutes of a meeting on another thought on how to plan for

the future.

Hope this is helpful to those with older family members or those thinking

about after h/s.

On Sat, Nov 22, 2008 at 4:07 PM, Commito wrote:

>

>

> *Minutes of the AAAFDD Guest Speaker Meeting*

>

> *November 17, 2008*

>

>

>

> *Ruth-Marie Beckwith, Ph. D., Executive Director,*

>

> *Tennessee** Microboards Assocation*

>

>

>

> Minutes taken by Commito, AAAFDD Recording Secretary.

>

> Please send suggested edits, additions or changes to

> scommito@...

>

>

>

> *Dr. Beckwith* welcomed everyone in attendance and opened the meeting by

> saying that her goal for the evening was to give parents a brief overview of

> Microboards and Micro-enterprises concepts, some food for thought* *and

> information about where to go for more detailed information.

>

>

>

> *MICROBOARD*

>

> * *

>

> Dr. Beckwith explained that a microboard is a small, non-profit

> organization created to provide natural and/or paid supports and services to

> an individual (or 2 family members) with a disability. It is a managed care

> and support system where a board of directors consisting of ordinary people

> from the community is appointed to receive funds for a disabled individual

> and takes responsibility for the hiring of personal attendants and support

> staff.

>

>

>

> She said there are absolutely no restrictions on who may be part of this

> support group, but all board members must agree to meet on a regular basis

> to help the person with a disability create a PATH plan, implement the plan,

> and overcome any obstacles. Dr. Beckwith said, " In summary, one of the

> objectives is to control who comes in the front door of a disabled

> individual's home. "

>

>

>

> *Background Information*

>

>

>

> Dr. Beckwith said that many years ago in Canada a small team formed around

> a man who needed different supports than what he was receiving. The idea

> attracted the attention of Vela in British Columbia. It took 15 years for

> the concept of circles-of-support to take hold, but the term *microboard *now

> commonly refers to a specific philosophy and a specific system designed to

> insure self-determination and higher quality services and supports for an

> individual with a disability. She said that when People First of Tennessee

> heard about it, they asked her to get involved. " As we grew, we created The

> Microboards Association to help you in the process. "

>

>

>

> *Joyful Care** *

>

>

>

> Dr. Beckwick said that one of the very first microboards she helped create

> was *Joyful Care* in Bristol, Tennessee; formed by two parents whose

> daughter had been institutionalized because of serious complications

> associated with an illness. The family used the services of an agency

> provider to help bring Joy back into the community, and they had some very

> negative experiences; including a mysterious broken leg injury, frequent

> staff turnover, and workers who very often didn't show up.

>

>

>

> They asked a few friends if they would be willing to make a personal

> commitment to their daughter by serving on her microboard -- a special

> education teacher, a pastor, and a brother-in-law whose background was in

> business. Not only did their brother-in-law spring into action and take on

> all of the financial responsibilities of Treasurer, but he began training

> other board members. Within six months, there were eight people who made

> sure that Joy's care was consistent; and for the first time in more than 20

> years, Joy's parents were able to make a month-long missionary trip they had

> dreamed of all their lives.

>

>

>

> Ruthie Beckwith said that one of the primary purposes of the Microboard

> Association is to take you through the whole board training process. When

> you start, you need people, training and support. Siblings of the disabled,

> who were once strapped with the overwhelming responsibility of coordinating

> the care of a disabled brother or sister, now have a team in place who know

> the budget, are familiar with the needs and procedures, and are going to be

> with them to help make decisions when mom and dad die.

>

>

>

> *It's All About Carmine, Inc.*

>

>

>

> * Vara *said that when she began making plans for her son's future,

> she never realized how difficult or how stressful it would be. She said she

> spoke to our parent group on several occasions about the facility she had

> purchased and the blood, sweat and tears she put into the project. When the

> building was complete, she hired an agency and soon learned that she had

> absolutely no control whatsoever over staff or procedures. (Once, when her

> son came home after a long day in the hot sun, she discovered that there

> were rigid rules in place about issues like when Carmine was permitted to

> take a shower.) When she could no longer stand what was happening in her own

> facility, she brought her son back home where she once again became his

> primary care provider; twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

>

>

>

> said she was frustrated and discouraged. She spoke to someone at the

> DHR who referred her to Ruthie Beckwith. She sent her an email and began

> investigating the microboard process. " I needed people in Carmine's home

> that I could trust. " said she then invited twenty people to her house

> one evening to discuss the creation of a microboard; twelve said yes. She

> said she now feels good because there are seven folks on his board who know

> him, know his staff, and know the policies and procedures. " They have

> enriched my son's life and my life beyond words; my son is so much safer

> now, and my daughters are not alone. "

>

>

>

> *Carmine Vara* added that his two sisters are on his board; one lives in

> Buckhead and one lives in Sandy Springs. He said is his financial

> officer, and Lori is the agenda person who also takes notes at all of their

> monthly meeting. " I feel very blessed because they all treat me with dignity

> and respect. I have worked at Stone Mountain Park for over five years, and I

> don't know what I would do without , who is in my circle of support.

> They helped me create my PATH plan and they are always there to help

> whenever I have to make decisions. I trust them. "

>

>

>

> *' Support Inc.*

>

>

>

> Dr. Beckwith said that is an individual who is both deaf and blind,

> has no family, and she became his legal guardian when he was 21. *'

> Support* provides both residential and day supports, using a combination

> of shift staff and two live-in companions so that is with a highly

> trained professional at all times. His board meets at least once a month

> to make sure that all of his complex needs are being met.

>

>

>

> She said that when she first met , he was unable to communicate. Now,

> he is learning to use sign language to express his basic needs and desires.

> She talked about a Thanksgiving Day when signed " Ruthie " for the very

> first time. Weeks later, during a visit to her home, he signed " coffee " –

> which was a big pay-off for her! She said that one of his early morning

> routines now includes exercising at the local YMCA; and she was delighted to

> discover during a recent surprise visit that everyone in the facility knows

> him.

>

>

>

> *Todd's Braves *

>

>

>

> Dr. Beckwith said that Todd is an Atlanta Braves fan, and the last time she

> spoke with him, he had attended eight games and watched his favorite team

> win seven times. He takes MARTA down to the stadium, has been given the best

> seats in the house, and everyone on his board now fights over who is going

> with him, because their lives have been transformed too. She said that Todd

> has become such a celebrated Brave's fan; he has been pushed around every

> base at Field.

>

>

>

> *Who would be willing to serve on a microboard? *

>

>

>

> Ruthie told a story about a memorable birthday party for one disabled young

> man. She said it was held at a local restaurant and everyone in the small

> town in Tennessee attended. One young boy was overheard boasting to another

> with pride, " My father is on the board! " (To have a family member serving on

> a microboard became a status symbol within the community.)

>

>

>

> *Q. What is a PATH plan? *

>

> * *

>

> *A.* Dr. Beckwith explained that PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows

> with Hope) is a planning tool that helps individuals with disabilities and

> their families develop a very broad view of the person's vision for their

> own life and it helps them identify practical ways to implement his/her

> goals.

>

> *Microboards Associations*

>

> The mission of the Microboards Association is to lay the foundation so that

> individuals with disabilities, their family and members of the community,

> can create a non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to oversee

> supports and services for a person with a disability. We furnish a provider

> kit which contains detailed information beginning with start-up procedures

> for incorporation and licensing, as well as a variety of sample documents,

> templates and everything you need to go forward. www.tnmicroboards.com

>

>

>

> *SELF-EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURS WITH DISABILITIES*

>

> * *

>

> Dr. Beckwith said that a micro-enterprise is a small business that can be

> started with very little capital, and it has become a very valuable entity

> for disabled individuals who are unable to work in a structured,

> standardized, rigid work environment. (Examples included individuals with

> stamina issues or complex health issues that require close monitoring.)

>

>

>

> She asked the audience if they had ever known anyone who sold Avon products

> or provided some service from their home. She pointed out that the primary

> benefit of this kind of job is that it provides an opportunity to earn a

> little extra spending money for people who are juggling class schedules,

> raising children, or even retired.

>

>

>

> For the disabled, it gives them more flexibility than supported employment

> because it is designed to fit around the individual person's needs and

> schedule. (For example, one young man had a vending machine – and it didn't

> matter much if his cokes were replaced at exactly 9:00 AM.) But she added,

> " The key to any successful small business is providing a service or a

> product which matches a community need -- and it requires creativity and

> commitment. "

>

>

>

> *What does a Micro-enterprise look like?*

>

> * *

>

> The disabled person is at the center of the process and actively engaged. A

> legal corporate entity is created, a board is formed, and a simple business

> plan is formulated to generate sufficient funds to pay for overhead expenses

> and the person's labor. It is not a hobby, nor does it rely on charity, and

> it has back-up supports in place in the event of staffing or inventory

> problems. The goal is to start small and develop a team that is committed to

> success.

>

>

>

> *'s Mobile Newsstand*

>

> * *

>

> Dr. Beckwith talked briefly about one individual who sold newspapers,

> magazines and umbrellas from a rolling cart. His initial goal was to earn an

> extra $50/month. His needs were basic and involved having enough money to

> purchase tickets for a sporting event. Within a short period of time, he

> discovered that he could also sell small seasonal items like mother's day

> cards and balloons, which brought his income up to $100 and provided an

> opportunity to take a vacation.

>

>

>

> Through the Employment First Georgia initiative, board members were

> recruited, a business plan and budget were created, and began

> learning about things like marketing and product placement. She said he

> looked ragged and homeless, and needed to change his business image, so he

> and his worker got uniforms. His jacket was so cool, and so many people

> noticed, he began selling them. When he reached $400 per month,

>

> started paying far more attention to the benefits of business

> planning. She said he relied on a recorded hip-talker speech device to

> communicate with customers, and after six years, he began saying his very

> first words.

>

>

>

> Dr. Beckwith said that over time, you realize that money is one, small

> benefit of self-employment when compared to the transformations which occur;

> and that 's personal success story was more about thriving and growing

> into a totally different version of himself.

>

>

>

> She closed by saying, " When you place a plant in a container that is too

> small, it gets root-bound. People can get root-bound too. And it is amazing

> to see what a slightly bigger pot can do for a disabled person. " (applause)

>

>

>

> Dr. Beckwith said that our meeting time was running out, but promised

> AAAFDD members that she would return again to talk more about these exciting

> concepts, and agreed to take a few more questions from the audience before

> the meeting had to be adjourned.

>

>

>

> Q. , how confident are you that twenty years from now, Carmine's

> microboard will still be in effect?

>

> A. There are never any guarantees We've already had some board members drop

> off, and new people come on; but I am totally confident that our current and

> former board members will be in touch with Carmine for the rest of his life.

> And new members, are referred by family, friends or other members it doesn't

> have to be someone Carmine knows but Carmine will have the final say. We

> print a calendar of his planned activities every month and at least three

> board members commit to making at least one visit with Carmine, it could be

> in his home or an outing. One of his board members knew about our meeting

> tonight, so she offered to stop at Carmine's house to help bake cookies for

> the event.

>

>

>

> Q. Does Carmine have a personal support waiver?

>

> A. Yes. And you can become an agency provider yourself, or you can hire

> one.

>

>

>

> Q. What does it cost to set up a Microboard?

>

> A. Dr. Beckwith said that in Tennessee, it costs about $100 to

> incorporate, and you don't need an attorney to do this. There is a $45 fee

> to place a public announcement ad, some costs involved in doing required

> background checks, and you have to prove to the state that you have two

> months of funding on hand to sustain the venture. We provide a sample

> charter, sample templates and help you through the whole process. We've

> created so many successful micro-enterprises, we actually now have a waiting

> list.

>

>

>

> *Short Business Announcements*

>

>

>

> AAAFDD President, Seese, thanked Dr. Beckwith, and Carmine

> Vara, and everyone in attendance for coming to this very informational

> meeting. reminded everyone that the next meeting will be held on

> January 26, when our Guest Speaker will be Ron Wakefield, Case Expeditor for

> MHDDAD, Metro Region Three.

>

>

>

> He also announced that the AAAFDD Annual Business Meeting and election of

> officers will take place on February 23, and anyone who would be willing to

> serve as an officer or committee member should send an email to him

> perryseese@... or to scommito@.... He then asked

> Sandy Commito to attach a list of open officer positions, committees, and

> job descriptions to the minutes of these minutes.

>

>

>

> [Note: If you are able to devote a few hours of your time to serve on a

> Nominating Committee whose task will be to recruit a few volunteers by

> telephone and present a recommended slate of officers to the board, please

> let us know.]

>

>

>

> Attachment: February Election - AAAFDD Job Descriptions

>

>

>

> The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM and the attendance list included:

>

>

>

> Georga Mulumba

>

> Kent Wolfes

>

> Seese

>

> June Seese

>

> Greene

>

> McAdam

>

> Portia Ponder, Dekalb Enterprises

>

> Shirley Berryhill

>

> Daphne

>

> Dechant

>

> Art DeChant

>

> DeChant

>

> DeMars

>

> Ashton DeMars

>

> Vara

>

> Carmine Vara

>

> Ronnie Merlin

>

> Grover

>

> Sandy Commito

>

> Cmomito

>

> Ruthie Beckwith

>

> Ruth Clifton

>

> Hunnicott

>

> Flukor

>

> Destiche

>

--

Sara - Life is a journey- we choose the path.