1 PERSON-CENTERED Thinking and PLANNING: History and Overview Adapted from College of Direct Support Person-Centered Planning Marijo McBride, LSW, QMRP, M.Ed. University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration (UCEDD)

2 “When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live life.” Greg Anderson

3 Person-centered planning is an approach that is different from system-centered planning. It is a way of organizing around a person to help create a life that makes sense. It helps the person to create a vision for their life that is based on valued social roles, inclusion, and individual dreams. It helps put supports and resources in place. College of Direct Support: Overview of Person- Centered Approaches….

4 Over the years services in general have become more person-centered. These trends reflect changes within the field of supports to people with disabilities. They also reflect changes in broader society.

5 This change in attitudes has been influenced by the following: u The African-American civil rights movement. u The feminist movement and women in the work force. u The disability rights and self-advocacy movement. u The aging of the American population.

6 This change in attitudes has been influenced by the following: u The passage of several critical laws including:  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act  The Rehabilitation Act  The Americans with Disabilities Act

7 This change to person-centered thinking and planning has not always been the case. In fact, until recently, many of the available services and supports were dehumanizing and inhumane.

8 Person-centered planning has grown and developed due to people being willing to change their thinking and practices.

9 Nirje and Wolfensberger in the 1960s-1970s shaped the concept of normalization. Person-centered thinking and planning is rooted in the history of normalization.

10 Normalization says we need to ensure that people experience culturally expected rhythms of life, opportunities, and experiences. These experiences are based on similar ones of persons of the same age and not “mental age”.

11 Identify the statements that reflect normalization principles: 1. Having to wear a bib when eating out. 2. Eating out with friends. 3. Personal money locked up and having to ask permission to get it. 4. Being able to eat when you are hungry. 5. Having to go to bed at a certain time even when you are not tired.

12 Beth Mount, one of the contributors to the development of person- centered planning and thinking indicates: person-centered planning “is to listen closely to the hearts of people with disabilities and to imagine with them a better world in which they can be valued members, contribute, and belong.”

13 Person-centered planning is based on a core set of values.

14 Person-Centered Planning is not a one time event but an ongoing process for: u Learning about the whole person. This is separate from defining “deficits” and “needed services.” u Helping people create positive visions for their futures. u Helping others organize around people to make these visions come true. u Arranging support in a way that is empowering to people and likely to move them towards their goals. College of Direct Support – Person-Centered Planning

15 Person-Centered Planning is an opportunity to: u Get to know individuals with disabilities; u Assist individuals with disabilities plan positive and possible futures; u Bring people together to solve problems creatively; and u Use a variety of tools to gather and share information on an ongoing basis.

16 Person-Centered Planning is.. u A set of values and strategies used to assist a person/family/organization in creating a vision for the future and working toward its realization; u A process that leads to a greater understanding of a person’s:  Dreams and visions  Core values  Gifts and capacities

17 Person-Centered Planning is.. u A set of support planning strategies that focus on persons rather than programs; u A process driven by the individual’s unique vision, likes, and dislikes; u A perspective that recognizes capacities, and builds upon them; u A collaborative community effort;

18 Person-Centered Planning is.. u An approach that encourages innovation, risk-taking, and shaking-up the status quo; u An ongoing journey that requires flexibility, creativity, and support over the long haul; and u A fallible process that may not work for all people, all of the time.

19 Values Underlying Person-Centered Planning u Understanding of a person’s/family’s preferred lifestyle; u Developing goals based upon the aspirations, preferences, and cultural background of a person/family; u A commitment to outcomes that are meaningful for the person/family; u Functional assessment strategies that produce an understanding of a person’s strengths, preferences, and communication capabilities

20 Values Underlying Person-Centered Planning u Interventions that strive to increase a person’s access to preferred environments, activities and individuals; u The right of all persons to be treated with respect and dignity; and u A focus on and respect for the right of all persons to control their lives to the extent that they desire.

21 Compared to system-centered planning, person-centered planning is different in the following way: u The mood is more festive and less rushed. u Time is spent celebrating successes. u People use common words to describe what they know or observe. u The person is considered the best guide for identifying goals. u People who spend a lot of time with the person or people who care most about the person are considered the best guides for next steps.

22 Compared to system-centered planning, person-centered planning is different in the following way: u The group together thinks about and create a plan for the person to achieve a more meaningful life. u Professional and the entire group link people to resources. u Papers, reports and documents are not a critical part of the process.

23 Question: u How does or could your agency use person-centered thinking and planning as an organized way of supporting goals based upon the aspirations, preferences, valued social roles, and cultural background of the persons you serve?

24 Person-centered planning is a tool, not a goal. Like any tool, it is only useful if it is used and used well. Some person-centered planning tools include the following: u MAPS u PATH u Personal Futures Planning u Essential Lifestyle Planning u New Hats u Twenty-Four Hour Planning u Whole Life Planning u Life Coaching

25 The following are some Websites that are valuable places to learn more about person- centered thinking and planning: u Allen Shea & Associates u Training Resource Network – Person-Centered Planning u Inclusion Press u es/PersonCentered.aspx Spectrum Society for Community Living es/PersonCentered.aspx

26 “Energy rightly applied and directed can accomplish anything.” Nellie Bly