Person-Centered Planning | Services for People with Disabilities

PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING

One way DSPD continues to promote opportunities and provide support for individuals with disabilities to lead self-determined lives is through the Person-Centered Planning (PCP) process. The Person-Centered Planning (PCP) process is an individualized approach to planning services and supports to help the individual get both what is important to them and important for them. The individual’s services and supports should help them reach their vision of a good life, which includes their expressed goals, needs, and desires – both what is important to the person and important for them to achieve the life they want to live.

Be lead by the individual where possible
Include people chosen by the individual
Provide the information that the individual needs in order to make sure that they are able to lead the planning process as much as possible, and make informed choices and decisions
Happen at times and places that are easily accessible for the individual
Reflect cultural considerations of the individual and is conducted by providing information in plain language and in a manner that is accessible to them, and those who are limited English proficient
Include tactics to resolve any conflict or disagreement that may occur during the process, and addresses any potential conflicts of interest
Offer informed choices to the individual regarding the services and supports they receive and from whom
Include a way for the individual to request updates to the plan as needed
Document if the individual considered any other settings (such as non-disability specific settings, which are settings where people with and without disabilities can go to participate or live)

The Person-Centered Planning (PCP) process results in a detailed, individualized Person-Centered Support Plan (PCSP) created by the individual with support from their Person-Centered Support Team (PCST). The PCSP is a written plan that reflects the services and supports that are important to and for an individual. All individuals who receive services through DSPD must have a PCSP. The PCSP must be reviewed and updated on a yearly basis at minimum, when the individual's circumstances or needs change significantly, or when they request a change.

Reflect that the setting where the individual lives or receives services was chosen by the individual
Reflect the individual's strengths and preferences
Reflect clinical and support needs as determined through a functional assessment. A functional assessment analyzes the child or adult’s “need” for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).
Include goals and desired outcomes identified by the individual
Identify services and supports - both paid and unpaid - that will help the individual achieve their goals. The provider of these supports and services must also be identified, along with any natural supports. Natural supports are voluntary, unpaid supports that an individual receives from their everyday relationships.
Include risk factors and measures in place to reduce risk, including back-up plans and strategies as-needed
Be written in plain language or in a manner that is understandable to the individual
Identify who will be responsible for monitoring the plan
Be agreed to by the individual. They must provide written, informed consent to the plan and sign off on it. The providers who are responsible for carrying the plan out must also agree and sign the plan.
Be distributed to the individual, and others involved in the plan
Include any services that the individual may choose to self-direct
Prevent any unnecessary or inappropriate services and supports

Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC)

There are many different tools that can help individuals and their families with the PCP process and developing a vision for a good life. In particular, DSPD recommends using tools developed by families from Charting the LifeCourse, which are available to download for free on the Charting the LifeCourse website. All of the tools can be used throughout the different stages of the planning process and beyond.

Resources

Utah Parent Center Person-Centered Planning Webpage
- An Introduction to Person Centered Planning Resource Manual for Parents and Guardians
Parent Connections Newsletter, Volume 2: Person-Centered Support Plan (PCSP)
National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS)
The Learning Community for Person-Centered Practices
Key Elements to Ensure the Direct Support Professional (DSP) Workforce Has the Competency to Protect Health and Welfare in the Context of a Person-Centered Approach
Handbook Patients' Spiritual and Cultural Values for Health Care Professionals
- Edited by The Rev. Susan K Wintz, BCC and The Rev. George Handzo, BCC
  Published by the HealthCare Chaplaincy Network