The Texas Microboard Collaboration

A new and innovative program to support individuals with disabilities in the communities of their choice.

What is a microboard?

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 by David and Faye Wetherow, and was later adopted by the Vela Microboard Association. Tennessee is successfully operating over 170 microboards, and 13 other states are in various stages of implementing microboards.

How does a microboard support a person's dreams?

• Builds bridges that allow individuals to participate in and contribute to their communities.
• Provides social opportunities.
• Allows individuals to determine and carry out their own dreams.
• Manages services such as home supervision, transportation, medical care and job searches.
• As a Medicaid Waiver Program provider that serves an individual, you gain control over financial decisions.

The biggest benefit of a microboard is that the individual with a disability has control over his or her own life with supports from a nonprofit organization run by those who know and care about them most.

Two Ways a Microboard Can Choose to Operate:

1. Natural Resources. The Microboard can use readily available "natural" supports and resources by finding people willing to help in a systematic way and using generic community resources (i.e. housing program funding, grants from local banks, volunteer services, etc.). The corporate structure of the microboard ensures sustainability of the support network. It gives families peace of mind that something legal and concrete is in place with people who know and care for the individual.
   
   Click here for an example of a Natural Support Microboard
   
   
2. Provider. If an individual receives Medicaid Waiver Program funding from the state, his or her microboard can apply to be a provider of Home and Community Services (HCS) or Texas Home Living (TxHmL) for the person. The microboard would manage all aspects of the individual's care and hire staff who would be paid by the microboard with waiver program funding. When the microboard serves as a provider, the arrangement can benefit the individual with a disability in several ways:
   • The microboard can build resources in the nonprofit bank account for the benefit of the individual with the disability. Some examples are buying a washer/dryer for the individual's home or an automobile that staff will use to drive the individual to approved locations for recreation or shopping.
   • The microboard nonprofit provider can share housing expenses with the individual by renting office space in the person's home. This allows individuals on a fixed income (i.e., SSI or SSDI) more financial flexibility to pay rent and utilities in homes and communities of their choice.
   • The microboard can choose an amount to pay supported home living or direct-care workers, therefore attracting and retaining higher-quality staff.

Estate Planning and 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.

Click here for more information on Microboards and Estate Planning
Click here for specific examples of how Microboards can help families

7 Easy Steps to Establish Your Own Microboard:

1. Contact The Arc of Texas.
2. Participate in an informational meeting with The Arc of Texas staff.
3. Receive the Texas Microboard Starter Kit, which includes sample Articles of Incorporation, Texas Bylaws and Initial Board Meeting Minute Template.
4. Recruit family and friends to serve as board members for the nonprofit organization.
5. Create a person-centered plan called a PATH with The Arc of Texas staff.
6. Participate in a board training provided by The Arc of Texas staff.
7. Work with The Arc of Texas staff to begin to implement the individual's PATH and determine qualification to apply to be a provider.
It's really that simple to get started!

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about Microboards
Click here for Helpful Resources


Click here for a printable version of the Texas Microboard Collaboration brochure

Please contact Lisa Rivers lrivers@thearcoftexas.org or Jennifer Mathews jmathews@thearcoftexas.org with questions, or call The Arc of Texas at (800) 252-9729.

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.