Dear Friends and Colleagues:
True person-centered planning should not just be person-centered, but person-driven; guided and shaped by the very individual at the center of the plan. It involves a comprehensive process that includes discussions with not only that individual, but his or her circle of support as well. Those discussions will reveal how he or she wants to live, so that supports can be identified to help the individual move toward the life he or she considers meaningful and productive.
The expected result of a person-centered planning process is supports that lead to outcomes that are important to the individual. The planning process must look beyond the most traditional models of support to ensure that the person –not the program– is driving the way the person is supported. Some examples of what might be identified from a person-centered planning process include identifying that a person has a love of animals and wants a job that is focused on caring for them; that a person does not like to eat dinner with a large group and prefers to eat in a quiet environment; or identifying that a person who is interested in greater independence can be supported with blended natural and paid supports using a self-directed plan.
As you will hear in “Larry’s Story,” showcased on OPWDD’s website, there may be great reliance on routines in some settings. Challenges can include showers which are scheduled, menus which are pre-planned, and outings or visits based on when transportation is available. Understanding what is important to the person and developing supports that are responsive in any environment is critical. Through strong person-centered practices, OPWDD is working to create a system where people control their lives, not a schedule or the requirements of a program.
There are many theories behind person-centered planning, all focused on outcomes. To read more about the process, methodologies, and hallmarks of person-centered planing, and re the success of each individual’s plan, please visit the new Person Centered Planning section on our website. There, you will also find several resources, including the first in a series of personal stories of individuals who have utilized the process to change their lives.
I look forward to working with you as we recreate our system of care and make the shift from the institutions of the past to the person-centered system of the future.
Sincerely,
Acting Commissioner Kelley
P.S. Communication is critical to our collective success, and OPWDD’s Facebook page is a great place for individual, family members, employees, advocates, and other stakeholders to exchange thoughts and ideas. Please feel free to join the conversation.