Person Centered Planning Is Not Just About a Meeting

1. 1 Person Centered PlanningIs Not Just About a Meeting Camille Mayhall, MS, CRC Rehabilitation Services Supervisor DRS/Maine and Niles High Schools cammay@niles-hs.k12.il.us

2. 2 Person Centered Planning is� �about choices, decisions and dreams. It is also about listening, respect, and commitment. �a voyage of discovery. On this voyage there is shift of power and control from the �supporters� to the individual and his/her family. This shift in power and control must begin with a team commitment to the individual. Listening to the person and those who love the person is at the heart of this beginning. �LISTENING to what the person and his/her family and significant others want to see happen in the person�s life. The educators and agency people take their lead in decision making from the person. Person Centered Planning is not just about a meeting. Adapted from Whose life is it anyway: A look at person-centered planning and transition. (2001). St. Augustine: TRN Publishing.

3. 3 Traditional to Current Best Practice There are a number of �best practices� in the field of person centered planning. If you looked at �then� and �now� you would see a stark difference in the way services are provided for individuals with disabilities. In the past, the majority of people with disabilities were segregated and provided services and programming in a facility, a very sheltered environment. Nowadays, people with disabilities are more readily living and working the community. Due to inclusion of students with disabilities, more and more graduates are demanding that services be provided in the community where they live. Individuals in the past �fit� into programs based on their deficits and disability label. Now we are listening more to individuals with disabilities in regards to what types of services and programming they would like and need. Much more emphasis has been placed on empowering people with disabilities to state their preferences and be more an advocate for themselves. Not so long ago, people with disabilities were told where they should go for services and many times it was based on their disabilities and deficits. People with disabilities are placed in more segregated environments based on their behaviors or disability themselves. We now are looking at what needs the individual has and what supports can be put into place in order to assist them in accessing the programs/services they want to pursue. Not long ago, adult service providers were striving for individuals with disabilities to be totally independent in all aspects of their lives. In reality, no one is 100% independent in all areas of their lives. Many of us day in and day out seek out people or things to make our lives easier to help us do tasks that we are unable to do. The more traditional supports in the past have been professional staff. It was viewed that they knew best what the individual with disabilities wanted and needed. Now natural supports are more readily sought out and accessed. Lastly, program evaluation and accreditation was highly regarded when it came to success of programming and services for people with disabilities. Now more and more emphasis is placed on customer satisfaction and really listening to the thought, ideas and feedback from the folks that are receiving services and assistance. There are a number of �best practices� in the field of person centered planning. If you looked at �then� and �now� you would see a stark difference in the way services are provided for individuals with disabilities. In the past, the majority of people with disabilities were segregated and provided services and programming in a facility, a very sheltered environment. Nowadays, people with disabilities are more readily living and working the community. Due to inclusion of students with disabilities, more and more graduates are demanding that services be provided in the community where they live. Individuals in the past �fit� into programs based on their deficits and disability label. Now we are listening more to individuals with disabilities in regards to what types of services and programming they would like and need. Much more emphasis has been placed on empowering people with disabilities to state their preferences and be more an advocate for themselves. Not so long ago, people with disabilities were told where they should go for services and many times it was based on their disabilities and deficits. People with disabilities are placed in more segregated environments based on their behaviors or disability themselves. We now are looking at what needs the individual has and what supports can be put into place in order to assist them in accessing the programs/services they want to pursue. Not long ago, adult service providers were striving for individuals with disabilities to be totally independent in all aspects of their lives. In reality, no one is 100% independent in all areas of their lives. Many of us day in and day out seek out people or things to make our lives easier to help us do tasks that we are unable to do. The more traditional supports in the past have been professional staff. It was viewed that they knew best what the individual with disabilities wanted and needed. Now natural supports are more readily sought out and accessed. Lastly, program evaluation and accreditation was highly regarded when it came to success of programming and services for people with disabilities. Now more and more emphasis is placed on customer satisfaction and really listening to the thought, ideas and feedback from the folks that are receiving services and assistance.

4. 4 Benefits of Person Centered Planning Focus on the total person Recognition of individual desires and interests Discovering new ways of thinking about the future of the person-being open minded What you believe guides the way in which you interact with others. The planning processes we participate in with people are a mirror image of what we believe about a person. By simply thinking you are person-centered doesn�t really mean you are person-centered. It is what you do that actually shows if you are person-centered. By actively using and applying the tools that are going to be described today is the first step in truly changing the way you plan with people with disabilities. Our belief systems guide the way we interact with others. The planning processes we participate in with people are a mirror image of what we believe about a person. By being person-centered, it is about what we �do� that truly shows our true priorities. When assisting people with disabilities, we need to be aware of them as a whole person. This includes their life in the areas of education, employment, social, family, etc. Many times, we only look at one aspect of a person�s life and we need to have our �eyes opened� to how all of the person�s life is intertwined and connected. Many times, adult service providers have the mentality of �fixing� the person with a disability or being the caretaker. We need to equally partner with people with disabilities to assist them in making plans. We are just one piece of the puzzle. It takes a team to come together to assist the person with disabilities. A team can have so many ideas, options that the adult service provider would never have if they were solely providing services.What you believe guides the way in which you interact with others. The planning processes we participate in with people are a mirror image of what we believe about a person. By simply thinking you are person-centered doesn�t really mean you are person-centered. It is what you do that actually shows if you are person-centered. By actively using and applying the tools that are going to be described today is the first step in truly changing the way you plan with people with disabilities. Our belief systems guide the way we interact with others. The planning processes we participate in with people are a mirror image of what we believe about a person. By being person-centered, it is about what we �do� that truly shows our true priorities. When assisting people with disabilities, we need to be aware of them as a whole person. This includes their life in the areas of education, employment, social, family, etc. Many times, we only look at one aspect of a person�s life and we need to have our �eyes opened� to how all of the person�s life is intertwined and connected. Many times, adult service providers have the mentality of �fixing� the person with a disability or being the caretaker. We need to equally partner with people with disabilities to assist them in making plans. We are just one piece of the puzzle. It takes a team to come together to assist the person with disabilities. A team can have so many ideas, options that the adult service provider would never have if they were solely providing services.

5. 5 Benefits of Person Centered Planning Establishing relationships among agencies Focusing on capacities instead of deficiencies Services are chosen to meet the goals based on the individual, regardless of whether the services already exist Plan is used to create the person�s IPE, IEP, IHP, etc.

6. 6 Person Centered Planning Is Not�. Setting unrealistic goals Ignoring limitations and constraints Limited to current services available A one-time event A segmented view of a person�s life Person-centered planning does focus on the person�s capacities rather than their deficits. It is not a process that ignores the realities of the person�s disability. You can not ignore the person�s disabilities and the things that the person can�t do. The focus should be on the individual�s needs and what supports can be implemented to assist that person in being as independent and self-sufficient as possible. Person-centered planning does focus on the person�s capacities rather than their deficits. It is not a process that ignores the realities of the person�s disability. You can not ignore the person�s disabilities and the things that the person can�t do. The focus should be on the individual�s needs and what supports can be implemented to assist that person in being as independent and self-sufficient as possible.

7. 7 The Process of Person Centered Planning Involves personal and community networks in planning for the future Includes articulating a vision, as well as desires and needs, barriers Coordinates resources and supports to make the vision a reality

8. 8 The Process of Person Centered Planning Problem solving and resource development Developing an action plan to implement to achieve the desired outcome

9. 9 The Process of Person Centered Planning Reviewing and revisiting the action plan Determining the success of a planning process is how facilitators, family members and others influence the individual�s participation

10. 10 Throughout the planning process, it is important to remember��� The individual�s Values Goals Expectations Fears Likes and dislikes Throughout the planning process it is important to be open-minded about the individual�s preferences and values. You should never try to place your values onto them or judge the preferences that they have. It is also important to opening discuss any fears or anxieties that the individual may have about the planning process or the changes that may be coming. Throughout the planning process it is important to be open-minded about the individual�s preferences and values. You should never try to place your values onto them or judge the preferences that they have. It is also important to opening discuss any fears or anxieties that the individual may have about the planning process or the changes that may be coming.

11. 11 The Plan Should Be Personal And� Should not be limited to existing services Should be created services that meet the individual�s needs

12. 12 Factors That Encourage Participation From The Focus Person Speaking directly to or directing questions toward the individual. Verifying or checking with the focus person on the meaning of his/her answers, responses and suggestions before moving on. Speaking at the individual�s language level.

13. 13 Factors That Encourage Participation From The Focus Person Waiting for a response from the individual. Using accommodations to support the focus person�s understanding and communication. Following the individual�s lead to change the subject, take a break or talk more about a topic.

14. 14 Factors That Encourage Participation From The Focus Person Setting and maintaining a positive tone. Setting aside fears and concerns while the vision is developed. Institute For Community Inclusion (UAP),Research and Training Center on Promoting Employment Children�s Hospital

15. 15 Factors That Decrease Participation Using jargon Using third person Using patronizing language

16. 16 Factors That Are Important For The Group Process Writing suggestions or statements made by group members Using good group facilitation skills Actively involving the focus person in the group process

17. 17 Individual participation in planning meetings�. Provides individuals with an opportunity to be involved in planning their own services, to look into the future, to voice their preferences and concerns, and desires to be heard, and to share in making decisions that directly affect them. The above concept is extremely action oriented. We want to change the way people with disabilities are viewed in the planning process. We want them to be active communicators and planners in the decision making and planning process. Many times, people with disabilities are the back-seat drivers. Others speak for them and make decisions for them. We want you to create a culture where individuals are respected for their thoughts, preferences, and desires. When people with disabilities fee heard and are empowered, they will be more willing to cooperate and will ultimately be more successful. This is especially true since they will be coming up with their own plans, goals, etc.The above concept is extremely action oriented. We want to change the way people with disabilities are viewed in the planning process. We want them to be active communicators and planners in the decision making and planning process. Many times, people with disabilities are the back-seat drivers. Others speak for them and make decisions for them. We want you to create a culture where individuals are respected for their thoughts, preferences, and desires. When people with disabilities fee heard and are empowered, they will be more willing to cooperate and will ultimately be more successful. This is especially true since they will be coming up with their own plans, goals, etc.

18. 18 How to Promote Person Centered Planning Assist individuals with disabilities in planning and running their own meeting Allow them to invite the people they want to their meeting Let them set the agenda and talk about things that are important to them Let them choose where the meeting should be held and when it should be The Arc Michigan Above is a check list to monitor how you are doing with promoting and implementing person-centered planning. This list should be periodically checked and monitored to make sure you are staying in line with the philosophy and foundation of person centered planning.Above is a check list to monitor how you are doing with promoting and implementing person-centered planning. This list should be periodically checked and monitored to make sure you are staying in line with the philosophy and foundation of person centered planning.

19. 19 How to Promote Person Centered Planning Allow them to feel in control of the meeting and make sure people listen to what they have to say Make sure that people respect their opinions and wishes Make sure they agree with the solutions that were suggested

20. 20 How to Promote Person Centered Planning Make sure people come up with ideas to help them be a part of the community Make sure people identify accommodations to help get what they want Make sure they get real commitments to a time line from the people who promised to help get what they want

21. 21 Evaluation Questions After the Planning Meeting Did the individual have the opportunity to actively participate in the development of his/her plan? Did family and/or friends have the opportunity to participate? Does the plan include a statement about the individual�s needs, preferences, and futures lifestyle choices? Lastly, this is another checklist to use as you are implementing person-centered planning meetings. This should be used as a guide to monitor the outcome of your planning meetings. Lastly, this is another checklist to use as you are implementing person-centered planning meetings. This should be used as a guide to monitor the outcome of your planning meetings.

22. 22 Evaluation Questions After the Planning Meeting Do the goals reflect the opportunity to learn skills of self-determination and independence? How will the services meet goals/needs? What services/supports will be obtained form generic agencies or natural supports?

23. 23 Things to remember� Individuals with disabilities are in the driver�s seat It�s about supporting the many different ways that people choose to live When supporting people with disabilities they should be the one directing where you are heading. If you are instilling your own plans, ideas onto the person, they are not going to �buy� into the plans and will resist your leadership or direction. When supporting people with disabilities they should be the one directing where you are heading. If you are instilling your own plans, ideas onto the person, they are not going to �buy� into the plans and will resist your leadership or direction.

24. 24 Q & A