We all want the freedom to make important choices about our lives. Unfortunately, the opinions, dreams, and aspirations of individuals with disabilities are often overlooked. While it’s important to live in the moment and take care of what’s immediately in front of us, this can cause us to lose sight of the bigger picture. Person-centered planning (PCP) is all about hearing, prioritizing, and planning around the preferences of individuals living with a disability.
If you’re just beginning your PCP journey, you may be struggling to find a good place to start. Not to worry. We’ll review the core principles that underpin the PCP process, along with some conversation starters to help you begin drafting a solid plan for the future.
What Does "Person-Centered Planning" Mean?
Person-centered planning (PCP) empowers people to plan their lives around their interests and aspirations. It’s a process that allows an individual to articulate their wants and goals for the future, bridging the gap between where they are and where they want to be.
The core principles of the PCP process are as follows:
- Community integration
- Enhance meaningful relationships
- Expand autonomy and individual choice
- Creating a life lived with dignity
- Developing life skills to improve one’s quality of life
PCPs outline an individual’s preferences in how they live their life, including housing, transportation, employment, recreation, and more. All of these elements are recorded in a written plan to support the person throughout their self-determination journey.
The Importance of Creating a Person-Centered Plan
Person-centered planning not only centers the individual; it gives them a voice. People with disabilities are often robbed of the chance to make decisions about their care, services, activities, and future prospects. PCP is about understanding and highlighting what they want out of life.
Not only do the key principles of person-centered planning help individuals with disabilities live happier, healthier, more fulfilling lives, but a PCP document can also help them get personalized services in programs like SDP.
While PCP principles are used in creating Individual Program Plans (IPPs), they are two distinct things. You can create a PCP before beginning the SDP or IPP process, providing a backbone and justification for certain services before the IPP is implemented.
How to Write a Person-Centered Plan
The person-centered planning process should be centered on the individual’s overall well-being. Ideally, it addresses their quality of life as an individual and part of the broader community.
When creating a PCP, aim to include elements that emphasize the person’s emotional, physical, material, and social well-being. You should also consider their personal development, self-determination, and individual rights.
It’s essential to remember that the individual being served by the PCP should be included throughout the process. They should lead the discussion whenever and however possible.
First Steps in the PCP Process
When first sitting down to create a PCP, the process can feel daunting. Here are some initial steps that can get you started down the right path:
- Gather information. This includes helpful background information and personal details that are essential to understanding the person as an individual. Discuss personal goals, wants, needs, and current quality of life. Figure out what’s missing, what could be improved, and what is really important to them.
- Begin planning. Alongside the individual at the heart of this process, brainstorm goals and create a vision of the future. It’s okay to not have all the answers—after all, nobody does. It’s all about starting to think about the bigger picture rather than creating a perfect blueprint for the future.
- Identify obstacles. Narrow in on potential barriers that the individual may encounter and discuss strategies for overcoming them. Develop a plan to navigate or overcome these challenges.
Once you complete these initial steps, you’re well on your way to creating the PCP document. A software service or ready-made person-centered planning form can help you organize these ideas in a way that will serve the person for years to come.
Learn More About PCPs and the Self-Determination Program
If you’re looking to take part in California’s Self-Determination Program (SDP), there are plenty of details that can make the process feel overwhelming, intimidating, and overly complex. That’s where NeuroNav can help. Our independent facilitation services are here to help guide you through SDP procedures so you can get the services you deserve.
Whether you’re just starting out or already enrolled, NeuroNav is at your side to support, advocate, and cheer you on. From PCPs to IPPs and beyond, you don’t have to do it alone. Schedule your free consultation today to get started.
