Far too often, individuals with disabilities are excluded from making decisions that shape their lives. This lack of independence can feel dehumanizing, and it can also take away opportunities to learn and ensure we all reach our fullest potential.
Person-centered planning (PCP) is an approach designed to allow people to access support tailored to their needs. When used as a tool for building confidence and personal autonomy, it can have life-altering effects.
Person-centered planning is used in various fields, particularly healthcare and social work, and focuses on giving agency to people with disabilities. By focusing on an individual’s goals, not those of others, PCP helps empower people to find ways to make their ideal lifestyle a reality.
Rather than relying on a system or specific way of caring for people, PCP centers on each individual’s plans for their future. One of the main characteristics of person-centered planning is that it regards an individual as the expert. PCP prioritizes their perspective while formulating support plans.
For people with disabilities, person-centered planning can be useful in areas like:
PCP understands there is no one approach to living a happy, healthy lifestyle. A plan for one person will involve different goals and actionable steps than others. And, while person-centered planning may involve collaborating with loved ones and caregivers, it doesn’t necessarily have to.
What matters most is that the individual is heard; their desires and goals take precedence. With a person-centered plan developed, individuals with disabilities can gain access to resources, services, and connections that help them thrive.
The framework of person-centered planning can be summarized into the following four principles:
Individualized support involves tailoring support plans to each person's unique needs and goals. At NeuroNav, we work with clients using person-centered planning established through California’s Self-Determination Program, which makes accessing personalized support easier.
Person-centered planning requires that people with disabilities be treated with respect and empathy. Ensuring that each person’s wishes, values, opinions and beliefs are considered is key.
It’s important to have consistency in the services and support offered to people with disabilities. Creating a formal plan makes it possible to access the same quality of care regardless of the circumstances, which can especially benefit people who move between schools, careers, etc.
The person’s records and support plan should be shared with their caregivers and service providers as needed to make collaboration possible.
The principle of enabling is all about helping people with disabilities stay as independent as possible. Person-centered planning helps recipients recognize their capabilities by placing power in their hands. Active engagement in life decisions can boost confidence, satisfaction, and personal skills.
The Self-Determination Program is an initiative by the State of California that aims to foster independence by allowing participants more agency over the support they get for their disability. In this context, person-centered planning puts individuals at the heart of decision-making.
With person-centered planning, participants can work with their support team to create an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) that reflects their individual goals and preferences. By emphasizing collaboration, respect, and empowerment, person-centered planning ensures each person is involved in identifying how they’ll benefit from the SDP.
A person-centered plan requires thought, time, and effort; the individual it’s designed for must be represented in its content. Below are some general steps used when creating a person-centered plan:
To connect with independent facilitators who deeply understand person-centered planning, contact us at NeuroNav today. Our team can help you navigate this process, the SDP, and more.