Person-centered Planning

Person-centered planning (PCP) is a process in which the wants and needs of the individual, rather than the requirements of the service delivery system, are used to create a plan for the future. Note that person-centered planning is based on the vision of the individual with a disability, not the vision of the family. While the family is a valuable source for information, even individuals with extreme impairments can provide input about their likes and dislikes. It is possible to develop a person-centered plan even for individuals who are non-verbal and have difficulty participating in meetings.

AHP can provide PCP services for plans related to housing. We do not have the bandwidth to engage in PCP for more general services. The full process requires:

• A pre-meeting (30-45 minutes) with the person for whom the plan is being developed and/or their close family as appropriate. This meeting requires a paid facilitator. During this meeting, the process is explained, and the circle of support is identified.
• The main meeting (3 hours) with the full circle of support. This meeting requires two paid facilitators, plus an extra hour from the main facilitator. During this meeting, an ideal vision of the future is identified (the “North Star”); a “positive and possible” version of the North Star to be implemented in a 2-5 year time-frame is developed; and interim steps with responsible parties and coaches are identified.
• A post-meeting (1 hour) with a small team comprising the pre-meeting participants and 2-3 others. This meeting requires a paid facilitator. During this meeting, progress on implementing the plan is discussed, items are checked off, some might be removed as no longer appropriate, and others might be added. This team is ideally empowered to meet regularly without a facilitator to continue developing and implementing the plan.

The cost of the plan is based on the facilitator time, additional travel time, and materials. It can be paid privately, but some families have arranged to split the cost with their school district or to pay using support dollars from the Department of Developmental Services.

It is generally a good idea to complete AHPs “Learning about housing” five-part Zoom series prior to participating in person-centered planning.

Contact us by email at AHPhousing@comcast.net or by phone at 617-893-8217 if you are interested in person-centered planning.