This section provides a brief overview of what it means to
be person-centered. To be
person-centered, all interactions with an agency, including intake, assessment,
and support planning, should reflect the participant’s preferences and
goals. Exhibit 5 compares the
traditional approach for providing social services with a person-centered
approach.
Exhibit
5: Comparing of Traditional and Person-centered Planning
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Traditional
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Person-centered
Approach
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Who leads the development of plan?
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Case manager leads a “team” in the development
of a plan. The team is defined by the
case manager and provider or may be specified in administrative regulation.
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The participant leads the planning meeting. The role of the case manager is to assist
and facilitate development of the participant’s plan. The team includes people selected by the
participant.
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Where and when does planning meeting occur?
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A meeting usually occurs in a location selected
by the provider or case manager during regular “business” hours.
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Planning meeting is at a location and time that
is convenient to the participant.
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What does the planning group discuss?
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Team focuses attention on what is important for the
participant based on assessments of functional needs, behavior, social
skills, and medical needs.
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Planning focuses on the future desired by the
participant. It will involve a balance of what is “important to” the
participant for a happy life, as well as what is “important for” the
participant to remain healthy and safe.
Information gathered from the participant about interests and
preferences is balanced with information gathered from the more formalized
assessment.
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What does the plan contain?
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The participant’s plan may look like the plans
and ideas written for other people. Traditional plans frequently reflect what
others think the participant should do. Service options and categories will
define goals and goals may reflect what can occur within existing programs without
changing anything.
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Plans will reflect interests, qualities, and
preferences that are unique to the participant and reflect the participant’s
relationships and community. Some
ideas may appear to be “out of reach” and can require major changes in how
support is provided.
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How is the plan evaluated for effectiveness?
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The case manager and the team determine how
effective the plan has been and whether outcomes have been achieved.
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The participant evaluates how well the plan has
worked and helps shape changes that improve outcomes and goals.
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When working with participants in a person-centered system, staff should focus on the participant’s goals and preferences. The participant’s personal goals can be whatever is important to him/her, such as getting a job, spending more time with his/her family, or moving to a new home. While there may not be a service for every goal, a person-centered approach should result in a better fit between what a participant wants and the services that she or he receives, including identifying supports offered by other Doors.
