promoting the Person-Centered approach
A person-centered approach focuses on what matters most to the person and their abilities rather than their condition or disability. Person-centered thinking and planning are vital to building individual abilities and skills for quality lifestyles that support the person without focusing on their disability.
The NY Alliance firmly believes that a person-centered approach should always be included in the care of people with I/DD and as such, we are sharing tools and resources below to assist provider organization's and their staff in using this approach.
What is Person-Centered Thinking?
An evolution in human services, person-centered thinking (PCT) helps organizations worldwide to succeed by fully integrating people in their own social care - not as a problem to be "fixed," but as the best source for identifying interests, preferences and desires that, when integrated into their own social care, can lead to positive control over a full and meaningful life.
Person-Centered Thinking is a set of values, skills and tools used in Person-Centered Planning and in the personalization of services used by people who need supports provided by social or health care. Person-Centered Thinking is commonly described as “the foundation of person centered planning.”
What is Person-Centered Planning?
Planning from a person-centered perspective seeks to listen, discover and understand the individual. It is a process directed by the person that helps us to learn how they want to live and describes what supports are needed to help them move toward a life they consider meaningful and productive. The planning process empowers the person by building on their individual abilities and skills, building a quality lifestyle that supports the person in finding ways to contribute to their community.
Tools & Resources
Person-Centered Planning and Practice Resource Library
In 2019, the NY Alliance partnered with Public Consulting Group (PCG) on a New York State Department of Health Person-Centered Planning Statewide Training Initiative. NY Alliance supports this initiative by providing distinguished person-centered trainers and faculty members to further the promotion of person first. A deliverable of this initiative was the creation of a Person-Centered Planning and Practice Resource Library. The library is a collection of free resources on person-centered planning and practice across all Home and Community-Based Services service sectors in New York State.
View the Library (health.ny.gov)
Person-Centered Planning Comprehensive System Transformation
Statewide Training Initiative
New York State Department of Health and its partners have developed a series of person-centered planning virtual training opportunities. Each training presents a unique set of concepts, skills, ideas, and discussions related to person-centered thinking, planning, and practice. Each session includes two hours of instructor led presentation and interactive group discussion held on Zoom. All the learning opportunities and trainings are offered at no-cost for people who are providing, using, and overseeing home and community-based services in New York.
Learning opportunities include:
Person-Centered Learning Institutes: The Learning Institute is anchored by six two-hour online group sessions. The sessions focus on increasing participants’ awareness of what they would like to create or change through reflection, conversation, working with peer coaches, and applying exercises. Learn More
Person-Centered Virtual Training Sessions: Sessions across a variety of person-centered training topics are now open for registration, and more will be added in the coming months. Learn More
learn more about all resources for this initiative
A series of short videos were recorded to share personal stories about what it means to be person-centered from allies, advocates and more.
Topics include:
A Journey in Belonging
The Power of Allyship
Believing in Yourself
Cultivating Everyone's Wishes & Dreams
Having the Right to Choose
Tattoos Telling the Story
The Importance of Disability Pride
Peer Specialists & Creating Change
Inviting Others to Use Their Voice
To view the full set of videos, click here.
Person-Centered Trainings Offered by NY Alliance Certified Person-Centered Trainers
Person-Centered Thinking and Person-Centered Planning trainings are offered through the NY Alliance as in-person learning opportunities. They are facilitated by Kirsten Sanchirico and Monica Robinson, certified Person-Centered trainers through the Learning Community for Person Centered Practices (TLCPCP). They are co-facilitated by NY Alliance consultant, Ed Bartz. When they are offered at our office, registration is available on the Webinars & Events page here.
Customized Person-Centered Training at Your Organization's Location
Provider organization's can also request a customized Person-Centered training to take place at their location across New York State. Our trainers will go to your location to present to your staff. If you'd like to request a customized training, click here.
About The Learning Community for Person Centered Practices
The Learning Community for Person Centered Practices (TLCPCP) fosters a global community that shares knowledge about supporting people in getting the lives they want. Their focus is on people who do not have positive control or are at risk of losing positive control because of society’s response to the presence of a disability.
Better outcomes based on a deeper understanding of personal interests and desires
Better lives for people empowered to share their gifts and live on their own terms
Better results for managers and facilitators, including renewed purpose and satisfaction
