Person-Centered Planning

Person-Centered Planning 2016

"It is so easy to Person centered planning is a process in change our which people with disabilities (with support language without from family, friends, direct care staff, QMRP, changing our medical personnel, and any other supportive structure or our specialty service) direct the planning and culture" ~John allocation of resources to meet their own life O'Brien goals and vision for the future.

The foundation of the PCP process

The Person centered planning process:

Should be based on a person’s preferences, dreams and needs; Understands how a person makes decisions; Understands how a person is and can be productive; Discovers what the person likes and dislikes; Encourages and supports long-term hopes and dreams; Includes the individual’s responsibilities; Includes a range of supports including funded, community and natural supports

The following are the seven touchstones of a person-centered planning team:

A commitment to know and seek to understand A conscious resolve to be of genuine service An openness to being guided by the person A willingness to struggle for difficult goals Flexibility, creativity, and openness to trying what might be possible A willingness to enhance the humanity and dignity of the person To look for the good in people and help to bring it out Person-centered planning (PCP) is an ongoing problem-solving process that is used by a group of people who are interested in helping an individual achieve a lifestyle based upon his or her preferences, needs, and choices. The purpose of using a PCP approach is to build an environment in which an individual can create a vision for how he or she wants to live and then to brainstorm, strategize, and plan to make that vision a reality. Person-centered planning showcases a person’s strengths and builds on that person’s natural skills, talents, and gifts. The natural strengths and preferences of the individual are addressed in the planning process to create a more satisfying life for the individual and to increase his or her community participation.

Individual Licensed Professional s

The Person Centered Planning Team

Family & Direct Care Friends Staff

The Community Members

PCP team, sometimes called a circle of support, makes a commitment to support an individual and encourages them to take a leading role in making decisions about his/her life. The team consists of people close to the focus person (individual) such as friends, family, community members, direct care staff, as well as licensed professionals. The team plays a critical role in helping to ensure that the goals set during the planning process are put in place and new connections are made within the community. Person-centered planning does not consider what services exist in the community. Instead, the team considers an individual’s vision and brainstorms about what needs to happen in order to achieve that vision.

Person-centered planning should be viewed as a process that occurs over time rather than a product or yearly event. The person centered plan is not a quick fix for the complicated problems that are encountered in an individual’s life. Instead, PCP is the foundation from which a team gradually builds a lifestyle that is satisfying and meaningful for the individual. Over time, new PCP team members may be included in the process as new goals are identified and an individual’s life naturally changes. Goals of Person-Centered Planning

Attitudes have changed significantly and the concept of normalization has resulted in an increased awareness that individuals with disabilities have the right to live their lives with the same experiences and opportunities as the rest of society. By increasing an individual’s participation and presence in the community and focusing on person-centered approaches, person-centered planning supports team members as they counteract the historically harmful assumptions held by some members of society. Normalization is the belief that all individuals, regardless of their abilities or circumstances, should live in the same settings as everyone else and have the same opportunities at work, home, and in recreation.

The following five goals appear in most PCP processes:

I. Increasing participation and presence in the community To ensure that the individual has opportunities to participate in normal types of community activities that they desire. Normal, everyday activities include shopping at local stores, attending community events, talking with neighbors, eating at restaurants, going camping, or visiting a preferred religious institution. These activities connect a person with their community and provide important opportunities to become a part of a larger network of individuals. II. Gaining and maintaining significant relationships To increase the quality and number of satisfying relationships in an individual’s life. Many individuals with disabilities are surrounded by people who are paid to spend time with them and often vital social relationships are ignored. The PCP process should support the individual as they develop healthy and satisfying relationships with family, friends, and acquaintances in all settings. III. Expressing and making choices The fundamental focus of a PCP is to increase opportunities for individuals to express their preferences on a daily basis. Each individual has his/her own preferences about every day things including:

i. Daily routines (when to get up in the morning, what and when to eat, when to go to bed); ii. Food (what type of meals are chosen and what type of condiments are used); iii. Clothing (what and what not to wear, where to shop for clothing); and iv. Interior decorating (bedroom styles, living room furniture, paint color).

Each day an individual’s life can change significantly due to the unconscious preferences of those around them. The goal of the PCP is to capture and describe clearly an individual’s preferences and to create an environment in which the person is free to make choices about both big and little issues. Simple choices may include what kinds of clothing styles to wear, or when and what to eat. More significant choices involve issues such as who to live with and where to work. The role of those supporting individuals shifts from dictating preferences to the person to that of supporting them in the expression of desired choices and to assist in obtaining what they need or want. This shift requires those supporting an individual to examine and change old patterns of interaction and to create new patterns in their relationships, to function as supporters and coaches rather than as overseers or supervisors.

IV. Experiencing respect and living a dignified life Most people seek recognition from their community in numerous ways. The jobs that we select, the clothes we wear, and the volunteer activities we choose all reflect a need to participate in our community and to feel that we are making a difference. Person-centered plans include goals for ensuring that an individual has the opportunity to live a valued life and to be viewed with respect by members of the community and their peers. Actively creating opportunities to develop a sense of self-respect and self-worth is even more important when faced with messages that an individual is different from his/her peers. V. Developing personal skills and areas of expertise An important goal of a PCP is to identify and develop the competencies necessary for individuals to take care of themselves and to engage in valuable activities. The PCP process creates a clear picture of what skills a person has, which skills are needed and desired by other individuals, and what contributions a person makes to other peoples’ lives. Often, an individual’s preferences identified during a person centered planning meeting may guide the types of educational experiences or activities that are chosen. The goal of PCP is to create opportunities for individuals to develop knowledge and expertise based on their goals not the teams.

Characteristics of a Person-Centered Planning Team

Maintaining a focus on the individual Person-centered planning maintains a focus on the individual throughout each step of the process. During person-centered planning, discussions revolve around the focus person’s dreams regardless of what services are available. The PCP process is structured to constantly refer back to the individual’s stated needs and goals, encouraging and empowering the individual to develop his or her own vision. The PCP process encourages the individual to develop his or her own vision by emphasizing strengths and making connections between these strengths and his or her lifestyle goals. Person-centered planning meetings allow the person to explore their dreams without being told how impossible those dreams may be to obtain. Instead, the meetings center around what the person can do to work towards their vision of an ideal lifestyle.

Fostering participation of all team members Another characteristic associated with PCP meetings is that all team members are encouraged to participate. Problem-solving strategies that include brainstorming sessions where all ideas are encouraged and considered valuable helps to foster group participation. In addition, the role of the facilitator in PCP meetings is to encourage quieter participants to offer their suggestions and comments. Training in PCP often includes practicing effective team meeting skills to encourage group participation.

Including team members with links to community organizations Group members who are active in community life are often part of the PCP meetings. These individuals can assist in identifying what barriers might exist and how these can be resolved in order to realize the individual’s community goals.

Fostering a dynamic and creative learning environment In the person-centered planning environment, everyone is considered an expert, especially the individual and their family. Important information shared about a person’s preferences and past history can come as a surprise to team members. For instance, a family member may share a story that helps the team realize that a person is responding negatively to certain staff members because these individuals remind her of traumatic events from her childhood. The PCP environment often includes a positive energy that comes from providing individuals with a voice and opportunities to make important decisions.

The Person Centered Planning Process Happens When…….

People work together to solve the challenges that arise;

Individuals live and work where and how they choose and;

Strive to reach their dreams and goals. The holistic model is sometimes referred to as “2nd generation person-centered planning”. The holistic model is specifically designed for individuals with IDD and is based on the IDT (inter-disciplinary team) approach. Even though the diagnosis is not disregarded (this would be impossible as well as ineffective) the focus in on the strengths and goals of the individual. With the holistic model, every effort is made to involve the individual with the process. The focus is on obtaining skills that are necessary for the individual to reach his/her stated goals and then maintaining these skills. With the holistic model, the team is the expert – this includes the individual and parents and/or guardian.

Module adapted from the following:

Indiana Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services – www.in.gov/fssa/files/12pcp.pdf

Kansas Institute of Positive Behavior Supports: Module 1/Lesson 2 -- www.kipbsmodules.org

Person Centered Planning Education Site -- http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/pcp Person-Centered ICF/ID Requirements The person/family/guardian participates in IDT meetings, development of the ILP and in the provisions of active You plan with the person. treatment. The IDT develops an appropriate plan to meet the individual’s needs. The individual participates in planning and giving consents. Appropriate staff complete assessments, discuss strengths You talk with the person. and needs of the individual and develop a plan to meet those needs. Competent interactions with the person, and providing You do things with the person needed supports, interventions and training. The person has a life that includes being able to function Emphasizes the person having a life. with as much independence and self-determination as possible. The person chooses with whom and where they The person has a choice in where they live and with life. whom.

Participation by individual, family, guardian. The Control is shared. regulations also require that the IDT develop an appropriate plan with the individual's input.

Surveyors interview the individual and find out what is Starts with what is important to the person. important to him/her before reviewing the record to find out what the CCF and IDT determined.

Client protections and health services are fundamental to Issues of health and safety are addressed. the ICF/ID regulations and survey process. The provider to "support", "assist", "help" the individual "Support", "Assist", "Help" become more independent and function with self- determination. The individual, family/guardian participates as members of Suggest and let the individual decide. the IDT and are active participants in the provision of Active Treatment. Emphasis on client choice and participation. Also requires Figure out together what the person wants to training be provided to assist the individual in functioning learn and help the person to get what they want. with as much independence and self-determination as possible. The ILPs are updated at least annually, but also as Have living plans that change with the person. needed.