person with a Georgia Microboards disability,” explained Association (GAMBA) President Jayme Sickert. The board is formed by the person with the disability along with members of his or her community. The purpose is to identify and plan for the support needs of the individual using person-centered planning ideals. In Georgia, microboards use the Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (PATH) planning tool to identify the needs and create an implementation plan for person’s meeting them. think my board is Carmine Vara said. “I awesome,” “The meetings are all about me.” His mother agreed. were worried about what would “We happen once mom and dad were she said. have a gone,” “We life insurance policy that would pay a provider for services, but the provider take care of emotional needs, wouldn’t Carmine’s or take into account his family background or roots. Now we have seven people at the table who say they’ll help. They’ve been to our home, they know who we are. of They’re aware needs and what to expect from his staff. They will Carmine’s support what he wants, not what the agency wants.” When forming the About microboard, Nancy “All Carmine” Vara turned to Dr. Ruthie Beckwith, who formed the Tennessee Microboards Association and has been instrumental in helping to set up GAMBA, as well. invited 20 people who might be interested in being “We on his board to our house. Ruthie facilitated the meeting,” Nancy Vara explained. a friendship and taking it “It’s taking one step further. Board members are saying commit to I’ll life and well-being.” Carmine’s From that meeting, seven members were appointed to the board. each have a role. Carmine is the president, “We
person with a disability,” explained Georgia Microboards Association (GAMBA) President Jayme Sickert. The board is formed by the person with the disability along with members of his or her community. The purpose is to identify and plan for the support needs of the individual using person-centered planning ideals. In Georgia, microboards use the Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (PATH) planning tool to identify the person’s needs and create an implementation plan for meeting them. “I think my board is awesome,” Carmine Vara said. “The meetings are all about me.” His mother agreed. “We were worried about what would happen once mom and dad were gone,” she said. “We have a life insurance policy that would pay a provider for services, but the provider wouldn’t take care of Carmine’s emotional needs, or take into account his family background or roots. Now we have seven people at the table who say they’ll help. They’ve been to our home, they know who we are. They’re aware of Carmine’s needs and what to expect from his staff. They will support what he wants, not what the agency wants.” When forming the “All About Carmine” microboard, Nancy Vara turned to Dr. Ruthie Beckwith, who formed the Tennessee Microboards Association and has been instrumental in helping to set up GAMBA, as well. “We invited 20 people who might be interested in being on his board to our house. Ruthie facilitated the meeting,” Nancy Vara explained. “It’s taking a friendship and taking it one step further. Board members are saying I’ll commit to Carmine’s life and well-being.” From that meeting, seven members were appointed to the board. “We each have a role. Carmine is the president,