Person-Centered Planning
PCP
What is Person Centered Thinking?
Person Centered Thinking (PCT) is the philosophy behind our services. At its core, PCT is a simple idea: Put individuals first, listen carefully and learn who they are and what they want from life, then work together to set goals, create personalized plans, and put them into practice. Being person centered also means always treating others with dignity and respect. PCT recognizes the right of individuals to make informed choices and to take responsibility for those choices and the related risks. When we use PCT, we strive to build on the strengths, gifts, talents, skills, and contributions of every individual.
We put PCT into action through a variety of person-centered practices, but the most important of these is Person Centered Planning. Person Centered Planning is a guided process for learning how someone wants to live at home, at work, and in the community and for developing a plan to help make it happen. Person Centered Thinking ensures that the focus of our work and planning stays on the perspectives of the individuals affected by the planning.
Who is involved in Person Centered Planning?
Your Planning Team is made up of you, your service coordinator or other Regional Center staff, service providers, support staff, and any family members, friends, or others you choose to involve.
For the process to work best, everyone involved is encouraged to:
- Stay positive.
- Listen to others’ opinions and ideas with an open mind.
- Be reflective and honest about what you can and cannot do.
- Follow through on what you have said you will do.
Preparing for the Person-Centered Planning process.
Before you meet with your Planning Team, take some time to think about what kinds of things they need to know about you to understand you as a person. Write down or record a list of things you admire about yourself, your beliefs and values, your goals right now, and things you dream of doing. Then think about and record any worries you have about getting to your goals and dreams. Finally, think about and record sometimes in the past when people have helped you to overcome obstacles or supported you in ways that made a difference for you.