Special Needs Planning with “Microboards”

The Arc of Texas has started using a creative technique for helping people support their disabled family members and friends called a Microboard.

Here is a description from the Texas Microboard Collaboration website:

A microboard is formed when a small group of committed family and friends join together with a person with a disability to create a nonprofit organization. This group develops a person-centered plan called a PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope) to address the individual’s support needs. This PATH-the goals and dreams of the person with a disability-becomes the microboard’s mission. The microboard concept originated in Canada with the Vela Microboard Association. Tennessee is successfully operating over 170 microboards, and 13 other states are in various stages of implementing microboards. * * *

Some families learn that the microboard provides a sound system for future planning for the person with the disability. Because microboard members are knowledgeable about the individual’s needs and wishes, they can be written into a will or serve as a successor guardian or trust advisor in the event of a parent or other significant family member’s death.