PATH Facilitators Training
When: October 27, 28 and 29, 2008 (8:30am to 4:00pm)
Where: The Arc of Texas, 8001 Centre Park Dr, Ste. 100, Austin, TX 78754
What is a PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope)?
PATH is the most powerful personal, team, and organizational planning method we've ever encountered. It is a proven tool for building commitment and strengthening community. It is a futures planning session that helps to identify desirable images of the future and strategies for getting started in productively working for that future. The working document (example of a PATH is shown above) on butcher paper taped to the wall looks at background, issues, choice structures at work in the individual's life and projects desirable images of the future that match what the individual wants over the next few years. It marks a commitment by all the participants to work towards a more desirable future. Newly developed microboards use PATH as a process to support an individual with a disability. The PATH becomes the mission of the microboard nonprofit organization.
What Is the PATH Facilitator's Training?
In this three day hands-on course, we will learn and practice some of the most valued organizational and person-centered planning tools in use today. Participants leave inspired and energized, with tools that they can immediately put into use at work and in their personal lives. Each participant gets their own PATH completed and helps two other participants complete their PATHs. Practice makes perfect!
PATHs are powerful graphic facilitation tools developed by Jack Pearpoint, Marsha Forest and John O'Brien. Strategies have been developed by many colleagues including David and Faye Wetherow , Pearpoint, Forest and O'Brien, John McKnight, Judith Snow, and others.
Ruthie Beckwith, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Tennessee Microboard Association and staff will conduct the training.
Free presentation: Tuesday October 28th 7:00pm - 8:30pm - Best Practices in Micro-enterprises, Housing and Microboards at The Arc of Texas.
Who Should Attend?
A diverse group is ideal for this training. We welcome:
- people with disabilities,
- families and extended family members, friends and community allies,
- service coordinators, educators, human service staff, and managers,
- policy-makers and program managers,
- leaders in civic, cultural, and congregational organizations,
- anyone else who wants to help people journey toward a person-centered approach to self-determination and full community participation.
While it is not required, we encourage attendees to come with at least one person who they will work with in the future (PATHs are ideally performed with two facilitators). Participants will leave with a solid working knowledge and the confidence to put these tools into practice right away. This is a team-building event!
About the Texas Microboard Collaboration:
The Microboard Collaboration is helping families and individuals begin and sustain microboards. Microboards are consumer-governed structures that support individualized funding, self-determination, and full community participation. Community Building and PATH training provides the underlying planning, organizing and community development skills that lie at the center of these emerging service forms.
Financial Support for The Texas Microboard Collaboration is provided by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities , with Federal funds made available by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The project expects to receive $102,224 (75%) DD funds and $34,074 (25%) non-federal resources.
