Parent to Parent

Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (P.A.T.H.)

PATH is a person centered planning and goal setting tool using graphic facilitation to map out a Vision of a desirable future for an individual or a group of people.

PATH uses graphics where possible to make it more alive and interesting. A PATH is a visual tool, which should be kept insight to keep the pathfinder and their supporters focused on their dreams and goals.

A PATH is completed with the pathfinder and supported by those who care about the pathfinder, and who are interested in helping them move toward their goals. It is facilitated by two people, both who have been trained in completing PATH’s.

Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope is a three hour goal setting and planning tool, using Graphic Facilitation. Qualified parent facilitators meet with the person with a disability and their family, to develop an individual P.A.T.H. PATH

The process is highly effective when used to develop a vision for a positive future for an individual with a disability and planning personalised supports and services. It can also be used by organizations for strategic planning, or by individuals/families for personal goal setting.

A framework is followed and a graphic record is created – colourful and creative images and drawings that provide memories without relying on words. Images and colours assist in creative thinking, provide energy and support memory. Goals are set, as part of the journey, then actions to achieve these goals are recorded.

PATH was designed to facilitate change to individuals, families and organisations. As well as to assist in planning around complex issues. It has been used successfully in planning for individuals, schools and services.The process was developed by Marsh Forrest, Jack Pearpoint and John O’Brien, and is recognised globally in the disability sector as a valuable tool. Parent to Parent facilitates P.A.T.H planning for individuals and families, and for organisations.

What pathfinders think of P.A.T.H.

Comments by a woman with a disability….I was Happy, Mum and Dad and the others all wanted good things for me. Good things are going to happen, making more friends in my community, be out doing things, not getting on that same bus every morning. Doing what I want and like to do in the day.

Mother’s comments……..As the P.A.T.H. developed, it was liberating. It changed our perspective, opened up ways of exploring opportunities for her. Gave clear indications of what my daughter’s likes and dislikes are. It provided us with steps, which showed direction, and were achievable. As we completed the P.A.T.H., I saw my daughter as a whole new emerging young woman.

A Family facilitator comments….As the P.A.T.H. was created, the young lady began to radiate joy. As she saw us put her hopes and dreams on paper, and how there were now opportunities for her to embrace life. For me as a family facilitator, creating a P.A.T.H for a family gives me a strong sense of personal satisfaction of making a real difference.

The Facilitators

Parent to Parent Family Facilitators are all parents who have a daughter or son who has a disability. They bring with them their personal life experience of how they have been able to move through the feelings of what is like to be told of their child having a disability to developing effective plans for their child in order for them to enjoy a full and valued life within their community.

All family facilitators have completed extensive training in various models of planning. Facilitators develop their own daughter or sons plans before sharing with the community in order to be fully present for the families that they are supporting.