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PATH: a Workbook for Planning Positive Possible Futures
Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope for Schools, Organizations, Businesses and Families
Written by Jack Pearpoint, John O'Brien, and Marsha Forest

PATH is a creative planning tool which starts in the future and works backward to an outcome of first steps that are possible and positive. PATHs were designed to deal with complex issues for individuals, families, and organizations. It is a sharp and powerful tool that gets people to do-able first steps based on taking them into the future (North Star), then developing possible and positive goals for one or two years ahead before coming back to now i.e. what is life like now for the person. The PATH then asks who do we need to enroll or have agree to help so the goals become a reality, and what do we need to actually do to stay strong enough for the journey. Then the facilitator takes the group back to the future and they plan six month, three month, one month and finally the first step to start the individual on his PATH. After having worked through the 8 steps of the PATH process, participants have managed to identify the following:

• A dream(s).
• Some long term goals.
• Some shorter term smaller goals.
• First steps towards reaching those goals.
• Ways to build strengths needed to reach the goals, and
• People who need to enroll in the commitment towards the goal.

When using the PATH for person centred planning it is of utmost importance the individual be kept at the centre of the process. Prior to the PATH the individual is assisted to explore his/her wants, hopes, dreams as well as to identify who he/she would like to have involved and present at his/her PATH. A consensus team approach is used to facilitate a PATH for an individual requiring additional supports.
A PATH is best undertaken with two facilitators, one who facilitates the process and a graphic facilitator who graphically presents the information expressed. It is recommended that the facilitators have received training and have experienced their own PATH.
Included in the workbook are a Code of Ethics, PATH checklists, points to consider when preparing to facilitate a PATH, some ground rules and guidelines, a color graphic of a real PATH and much more.
An effective tool not only for individual planning but as well for organizational planning, PATHs are being used in social services, education, healthcare, business both in the for profit and non-profit sector, also great for families.

It is recommended that the "PATH in Action - Working with Groups" & the "Path Training Video: Joe's PATH" be used in conjunction with this manual. The PATH Action Pack is available from Inclusion Press for $150.00.

Available from:

Inclusion Press 24 Thome Crescent Toronto, Ontario M6H 2S5 Telephone: (416) 658-5363 Fax: (416) 658-5067 E-mail: inclusionpress@inclusion.com Web Site: www.inclusion.com

Description of Resource: 56 page, softbound manual

Approximate Cost: $15.00 (Canadian)

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