Person-Centered Planning

Individualized and Flexible

At its core, developing and implementing a person-centered plan is about providing services and supports that are individualized and flexible over time, are built on strengths and needs, and respect the choices and preferences of the individual and the family.

Person-centered planning is an approach to determining, planning for and working toward the preferred future of an individual. It provides a framework for planning and making decisions, and takes into account a variety of factors that affect a person’s life. It is not a collection of methods or procedures.

The Process

A person-centered plan reflects a process:

That is respectful of the individual, their family and those who support the individual.
In which the necessary time and effort are spent to be sure that the “voice” of the individual is heard, regardless of the severity and nature of the disability.
That focuses on learning what is important to the person and to those who know and work with the person, and ensuring that any issues of health and safety are carefully considered.

The Plan

The resulting plan is:

A written description of what is important to the person.
A description of how any health or safety issues will be addressed.

What supports are needed for the person to achieve his or her desired future.

Developing a Plan

A group of people called a planning team develop an IPP. The members of the planning team include the individual, their family and service coordinator, as well as friends and other people who provide support and care.

Meeting Preparation for Families

Before coming to a planning meeting, think about the following areas in respect to yourself or your child:

Life goals
Capabilities and strengths
Interests and accomplishments
Concerns and needs

Come to the meeting prepared with information about what financial and other resources (such as private insurance) are available to you and your child.

Identify the personal skills, knowledge and abilities you possess that may help your child take steps toward achieving desired outcomes. Think of other people in your child’s life who can provide assistance and support. Additionally, think about what type of training you may need to help support your child, as well as what professional services or supports your child may need to achieve desired outcomes.

Meeting Preparation for Service Coordinators

Just as families need to prepare for meetings, so too do service coordinators. Your service coordinator will spend some time getting to know your and your family’s unique situation prior to the meeting. He or she will do the following:

Review the individual’s record.
Obtain information and recommendations from service providers.
Begin completing the health status review for discussion and completion at the meeting.

What Happens at a Team Meeting

All members of the planning team are equally respected and are given a chance to speak and be heard during the meeting.

Person-centered planning meetings work best when:

They are held in a place where everyone feels comfortable.
Everyone knows the meeting may take a long time.
Someone, usually the service coordinator, acts as the team facilitator.
When possible, given his or her age and ability, the individual is afforded an opportunity to provide input about desired outcomes.
The needs of the individual and the preferences of the individual and family are discussed and presented along with other information needed to make choices about desired outcomes.

Examples of IPP Goals and Supports

Health Example for a Young Child

Goal: Janet will have good oral health.

Objective 1: Janet will brush her teeth twice a day.
Objective 2: Janet will see her dentist at least semi-annually.

Support: Parents will provide hand-over-hand guidance to Janet during tooth brushing. Family will schedule semi-annual visits and will use dental insurance for routine and necessary dental care. Service coordinator will invite parents to upcoming dental fair.

Socialization Example

Goal: Juan will maintain relationships with peers.

Objective 1: Juan will participate in sports and attend Sunday school.

Support: Family will check out available Social Recreation options on the Network of Care. John will attend weekly soccer practice at [location]. Family will take John to Sunday school.

Adult Living Independently Example

Goal: Julia will live independently in an apartment within six months.

Objective 1: Julia will prepare simple meals.
Objective 2: Julia will keep her home clean.
Objective 3: Julia will do her own laundry.
Objective 4: Julia will open a savings account and make regular deposits.

Support: Lanterman will fund for 16 hours per month of independent living skills training from [provider] from [date] to [date]. Her parents will help her open the savings account and help her make regular deposits.

Monitoring and Amending the IPP

Service coordinators are required to monitor the IPP by conducting face-to-face visits with the individual. During these visits to the individual’s home, the service coordinator reviews the plan with the individual and family and reports on the progress the individual has made in achieving the desired outcomes.

If the plan needs to be changed, one of two things can happen:

If the changes are minor, the team can determine that an amendment to the plan is sufficient.
If the changes are major, a new plan is written.

FAQ

Get Answers

What is active status?

An individual’s status with Lanterman is active as long as the individual is receiving services from Lanterman, including service coordination and maintaining a current Individual Program Plan.

An individual’s status becomes inactive either when the individual or family chooses to no longer receive services from the Regional Center and asks for the status to be changed, or if we lose touch with the individual.

It is very important that individuals and families keep Lanterman informed of their current address. If we are unable to contact an individual by mail and phone, we visit the last known address. If these attempts fail, we designate the individual’s status as inactive. The individual or family may ask for the case to be reactivated at any time.