Summer2020-Mag-1

I had the good fortune of being able to attend a
Webinar presented by Kish Pisani, Executive
Director of the Illinois Association of Microboards
and Cooperatives (IAMC). I have personal and
professional interest in the topic.
I am the publisher of Milestones Magazine (a free
online publication), which showcases programs,
products, and services that help people with
disabilities achieve and celebrate milestones in their
lives. I am also the parent of a now-25 year old on
the Autism Spectrum who aged out of school
district services more than 3 years ago and whose
life since then largely consists of video games on
the computer and daily walks (weather permitting)
in the neighborhood, park district/forest preserve
facilities, or the mall.
I am honored and pleased to introduce Kish Pisani
to give families such as mine (who may have a
limited on non-existent inner circle of family and
friends) a rundown of how to create a PATH,
possibly also a Microboard, in order to hit the
ground running once their son or daughter is
picked from PUNS and gets funding.
one feel secure about the future, long after
they might be gone.
IAMC provides technical support to help
individuals live full and inclusive lives in the
community, in a home that they choose, and
in living a true self-directed life. The process
includes could look like the following, although
not everyone chooses to move forward with
a microboard or cooperative.
Facilitation of a PATH (Planning Alternative
Tomorrows with Hope) as a true person-centered
planning tool focusing on a person’s hopes
and dreams.
• Developing Circles of Supports using tools and
inspiration from IAMC staff.
• Creation of a Microboard, including training of
board members, expectations, filing for legal
documents and technical assistance.
• Formation of a Cooperative – group of
like-minded individuals, families sharing
resources for a better quality of life.
• Ongoing support
Circles of Support/Relationship are essential well
before a person is placed on the PUNS list and
just as important once receiving funding. All too
often a person with IDD has many “paid” people in
their lives. While necessary to provide the supports
needed for jobs, daily living, and logistics, having
a robust Circle of Support, complemented with
natural supports, helps the family of the loved
IAMC will hold a PATH facilitator training this
spring. It is open to anyone interested in learning
and facilitating person-centered planning.
Parents, advocates, teachers, case managers,
therapists and vocational professionals are
encouraged to come to this training.
For more information visit www.iambc.org.
M
What is a Microboard?
A Formalized Circle of Support
Serves One Person
A
Small (Micro) Board of Directors Created
to Support the Person with a Disability
A Non-Profit Corporation (not charity)
A Think Tank
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