What is Person Centered Planning?The Michigan Mental Health Code defines Person Centered Planning as “a process for planning and supporting the individual receiving services that builds upon the individual’s capacity to engage in activities that promote community life and honors the individuals’ preferences, choices, and abilities. The person-centered planning process involves families, friends, and professionals as the individual desires or requests (Act No. 290 Public Acts of 1995). Wow! That sounds great! What does it mean? It means the whole treatment process is build around the strengths and desires of the person receiving treatment and their family, and builds on where they are right now. It is a process that creates opportunities and shifts the power away from “programs” to the person. It starts with the individual receiving treatment and their family and has them making the decisions on treatment, professionals, supports and who attend family meetings and what is discussed. Person centered planning requires and encourages commitment from the individual, their family and friends, and every one else who helps provide treatment or support.
PCP is:Person centered planning is a whole new way of looking at services and the way they are delivered. Traditionally, the person was the “target” of treatment. They were being “worked on” by the professionals in an attempt to “fix”, or work on disabilities, deficits, weaknesses, or the ever correct – challenges. Programs and services were based on a ‘medical model” where you had to wait until something was broke, or bad enough to warrant being “fixed”.The PCP model changes the way the services are used. It uses an individualized plan based on abilities, assets, and strengths; focusing on the positive. PCP includes the concept of the “whole person” (sometimes called holistic) and works to integrate the family with their natural support system and the community.
PCP is not:PCP is not, however, any sort of cure-all or magic solution to all problems. PCP is not a way for the individual to just get everything they want, nor does it make the treatment process any easier – or harder for that matter. PCP is not something that is used to get around or bypass safety issues.PCP is more inclusive because the person receiving treatment is the one who directs the process, or the parents do in the case of a child. PCP considers the who, what, where, and when of the person’s hopes and dreams, resources and strengths. PCP deals with what they have to work with right now and what they need as related to the person’s goals – which establishes the parameters of treatment. PCP has service providers asking “what can we do to help you?” instead of “where are we going to put you?”
Person Centered Planning gives opportunities to heal and growReturn from Person Centered Planning to Special Needs Therapies
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