Principles and Practices of Person-Centered Planning:

Provider Network for UPCAP

February 9, 2006Pam Werner

Specialist

Michigan Department of Community Health

320 S. Walnut

Lansing, MI 48913

E-mail: wernerp@michigan.gov

Phone: 517-335-4078

Introductions

Person-centered planningis a process for planningand supporting the individual receiving services that builds upon the individual’s capacity to engage in activities that promote community life and that honors the individual’s preferences, choices and abilities. The person-centered planning process involves families, friendsand professionals as the individual desires or requires (330.1712)

Mental Health Code Definition

Independence Plus Initiative:

• Goal #4: To introduce into the MI Choice 1915 c Waiver for Elders and persons with physical disabilities the concepts, principles and practices for supporting arrangements that provide consumers/beneficiaries choice and control over defining, selecting, directing and purchasing needed services and supports.

History of Person-Centered Planning

• Documented by Canadian advocates and Judith Snow• Adopted by national advocates & service delivery systems• 1976 Lanterman Act requires an IPP, becoming law in California• 1994 Howell Group of Michigan publishes definitions• 1995 advocates lobby for inclusion in the technical amendments of the

Michigan Mental Health Code• April 1996 person-centered planning process is required when

developing a plan of service (330.1712)• 2005 Michigan Medicaid Long Term Care Talk Force recommends

and requires the implementation of person-centered practices

What is Person-Centered Planning?

• process• relationships• responsibility• shifting power• choice• trust• respect• partnerships

Preplanning FundamentalsThe Person Chooses:

• who is invited to their meeting

• where the meeting is held

• when the meeting is held

• what is and is not discussed

• who assists in the facilitation

• who will assist in carrying out activities in the plan

FundamentalsWe Need to:

• Listen to what the person is telling us• Understand what the person wants• Know what we can and can’t do• Provide choices, flexible services and supports• Develop a group of champions/support network to

support the persons desires and preferences• Assist the person in developing partnerships and

community connections

Person-Centered Planning is not:Doing whatever anyone wants

without looking at:

Health & SafetyWhen addressing health and safety:

•The individual must be a partner in discussing their concerns

•Supports to address health and safety need to be documented

Medical/Behavioral Framework

• Start with what is wrong with the person– Assess issues of health and safety– Determine what the person can/cannot do– Assessments of adaptive behavior– Strengths and needs list– Plans that describe how to keep the person healthy and

safe and that “make” them more independent

An alternative approach

• Start with how the person wants to live– Learn what is important to the person in

everyday life– Assess issues of health and safety– Assess what the person might want to learn to

get more of what is important

An alternative approach

• Plan with the person– Describe what is important to the person– Describe what others need to know or do to support

the person– Addressing any issues of health or safety in the

context of how the person wants to live– Offer opportunities for learning that help the person

get more of what the person wants

An alternative approach

• As the person is getting more of what is important in everyday life – Look for opportunities for them to spend time in

places and doing things where they are welcomed by the others there

– As you build connections look for opportunities to establish and nurture relationships

– Seek to discover what the person might like in the future and help them move in that direction

Principles and Values ofPerson-Centered Planning

• Every person has strengths, gifts, and contributions to offer.

• Every person has hopes, dreams and desires.

• Each person, and those who love the person, are the primary authorities on his or her life.

• Every person has the ability to express preferences and to make choices.

• A person’s choices and preferences shall always be respected.

What about people who don’t use words to talk?

• What makes the person happy or sad?• What comforts the person?• Ask those who know the person best• Share knowledge ask questions

We must listen creatively:

Home & Supports

Friends

Community Participation

Family

What is a Natural Support?

• Natural Support is someone who is involved in a person’s life, other than just for pay

• Natural supports are built person by person• Natural supports must be reciprocal with both

individuals benefiting• Natural supports can be family, friends, neighbors,

co-workers, club members, and anyone the person chooses to spend time with

Person-Centered Stories

Some Thoughts……..• Quality Person-Centered Planning takes time• People who spend the most time with the person

need to receive adequate amount of training, mentoring and coaching

• Subcontract agencies need training, mentoring and contract requirements to support person-centered planning

• Discussion of consumer choice and control needs to be kept in the forefront with consumers leading as equal partners

More Thoughts……

• All documentation requirements need to be examined.

• Paper must have a purpose

• We need to strive for a balance between paper and delivering valued chosen services

• To truly implement person-centered processes agencies must operate as team

Organizational Elements Necessary to Promote

Person-Centered Processes• Vision • Leadership• Organizational culture rooted in trust and respect• Team development, participation, and support provided

throughout the organization • Viewing all problems and issues through the lens of

helping people get the lives they want• Developing/strengthening consumer, family and

advocacy partnerships • Developing/strengthening community alliances