PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING
Person-Centered Planning is a celebration of an individual and the foundation of the Self-Determination Program process. It serves as a “road map” for individuals and families to set goals and track progress. It also helps secure funding through the California Regional Center’s Self-Determination Program.
Person-Centered Planning is a process of discovery that leads to selecting and organizing services and supports
that a person with a disability may need to live an empowered life in the community.
Person-Centered Planning (PCP) helps the person construct and articulate a vision for the future, consider various paths, engage in decision-making and problem solving, monitor progress, and make needed adjustments in a timely manner. It highlights the individual’s responsibility in that process. The PCP approach identifies the person’s strengths, goals, medical needs, needs for home- and community-based services, and desired outcomes. The approach also identifies the person’s preferences in areas such as recreation, transportation, friendships, therapies and treatments, housing, vocational training and employment, family relationships, and social activities. Unique factors such as culture and language also are addressed.
These elements are included in a written plan for supporting the person, which is developed based on those considerations. Path Forward Person-Centered Plans are individualized, colorful, artistic, and have a personality of their own. They are not just a “road map” with goals for a person but something that an individual can have as a "keepsake" so to speak. They can also be used as an onboarding tool or guide for service providers to learn to get to know a person and how to best support them.
