Person-Centered Planning

Person-centered planning (PCP) is a term describing a collection of similar approaches used to assist individuals in planning their futures. The goal of these approaches is to aid individuals in developing meaningful life goals based on their strengths and talents, utilizing individual, natural, and creative supports and services.

Person-centered planning is also a process for planning how to assist that person in moving toward that life. It is rooted in values, goals, and outcomes important to the person, but takes into account other critical factors that have an impact on his or her life; for example, family and agency views, funding, any disability, and community supports.

Person-centered planning approaches also share a commitment to some core-value outcomes for the focus person. These include making choices, developing relationships, being present and participating in the community, living with respect and dignity, and continuing to develop personal competencies.

Making Choices. A core value of PCP approaches is a commitment to support an individual and his or her family to make choices about the big and small issues in life. The big issues in life include where to live, what type of work to do, with whom to associate, and similar issues. The small issues in life include the hundreds of decisions we make every day that include what to eat, what clothes to wear, and what to do for recreation. PCP is committed to listening to and respecting the choices that individuals make for their lives and to understanding what choices are most important to the person and why they are important.

Developing Relationships. Often, individuals with disabilities or problem behavior are not supported in their identification and development of healthy, longterm, and reciprocal relationships. A core value of PCP approaches is that relationships contribute significantly to an enhanced quality of life. Therefore, most PCP approaches assess the importance of relationships in the person's life and assist the individual in changing, expanding or maintaining friendships, family relationships, romantic relationships, and other types of relationships.

Being Present and Participating. Person-centered planning advocates for individuals being present and participating in community life to the fullest extent that they desire. Many individuals, particularly those with disabilities, may not even be present in the community. A larger number are present but are not participating to the extent that they would wish. PCP provides a support team to assist the individual in voicing his or her wishes for community inclusion and in pursuing the recreational, living, and contributing opportunities that are available to all other citizens.

Living with Respect and Dignity. Often, individuals with disabilities or problem behaviors are seen as “having deficits.” Their planning teams often focus on what they cannot do or their problem behaviors. PCP makes a concerted effort to understand individuals more completely, including their strengths, valued behaviors, and important roles. After these are understood, a PCP team will begin to plan how to change the support provided to the person so that positive behaviors and strengths are maximized; for example, supporting the person to develop valued and respected roles within the community, such as being an employee, community volunteer, parent, church member, and club member.

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