Person Directed Plans

This 'Person Directed' process is an inclusive process which keeps the focus on each individual person, their dreams for their future as well as their needs and desires.

'Independently Facilitated' planning is seen as a more independent, objective, non-conflicting process than plans prepared for individuals, by agency support professionals. At South-East Grey Support Services, our philosophy includes 'Independent Facilitated Planning'.

It is also a very effective process to use when difficult situations arise with respect to the diverging perspectives of families, professionals and the individuals themselves.

This “third party plan”, also prevents assumptions and miscommunication around the individual’s goals and the resources that are needed and/or available to achieve their dreams.

PROCESS

This planning process design is based on the philosophy and principles developed and practiced by South-East Grey Support Services throughout the past 30+ years.

It is Person Directed.

It focuses on assisting people, who receive or request supports and or services, to identify their dreams, their needs, their choices, and to realize those intentions to the best of their ability.

It further makes a place for families, friends, clinicians and the support workers of each individual to contribute their insights, wisdom and experience to the development of the plan.

The goal is to have a person directed, externally facilitated planning process, available for people currently receiving or requesting supports and or services in which each person is his or her own primary Planner.

PERSON DIRECTED

The person receiving supports and/or services, together with his or her support network, (spouse, partner, family, friends, co-workers, support staff etc.) leads the planning process.

PLANNING FACILITATION

Depending on each person’s level of ability, and/or complexity of challenges, he or she may need an Independent Planning Facilitator to assist in the planning process.

The preferred way to accomplish this is to have a trained Planning Facilitator available during the initial and subsequent planning gatherings.

So with all that explained, let’s get YOU started planning YOUR life! Question: Are you someone who is thinking, imagining or dreaming about how life could be better for you?

If so, now is the time for you to PLAN for those improvements you want in your life.

Now is the time to Dream the no longer 'Impossible Dream!'

For example:

If you had the opportunity:

• What kind of life would you choose?
• Where would you live?
• With whom would you like to live?
• Which friends would you like to spend more time with, or would you like to meet more people to develop friendships?
• Where would you like to go to school or work?
• How would you like to dress?
• How would you like to wear your hair?
• What foods would you like?

You might well ask:

• “What do I need now to live the life I dream”?
• “How can my dreams happen”?
• “Who will help make these dreams happen”?

Well, the straight answer is YOU!

Planning is a “Way”, a “Tool”, to help you start thinking about how life might be for you.

More question:

Who? What? Where? Why? How?

All these questions will be asked and answered in your Individual Planning Process.

• Who will help me plan?
• What will we plan?
• Where will we plan?
• When will we plan?
• Why will we plan?

So PLAN your LIFE!

People who Love People!

There are many wonderful people ready, willing and able to help you make your unique, personal plan for the life you want to lead, for the things to want to happen in your life.

Family, Friends, Volunteers, Support Services

Members of your family are very important; perhaps they already supported you at home, or somewhere in the community.

Volunteer and Friends

Your close friends or neighbours are also very important.

An Agency Support Worker

Someone you know well and who is interested in your quality of life. Perhaps someone already giving you support at home, in school or in the community.

WHAT IS A FACILITATOR?

A trained Planning Facilitator who works with people who are differently abled.

It will be important to meet separately with the person who will be assisting you by facilitating your PLAN.

Introduce yourself and explain how this facilitator can be of assistance to you and allow yourselves to get to know one another a little.

Tell this person as much about yourself as you feel comfortable.

The Facilitator may ask you questions like the following:

• Tell me about yourself?
• What works in your life?
• What are you happy about?
• What is not working?
• What would you like to have happen?
• Are there things that would make life better for you?

Facilitators do not 'Manage Cases' – They Facilitate the Person Directed Process.

In order for them to help, it will be important to allow your family members, close friends, volunteers or support staff the opportunity to also learn about your dreams and ideas for your life.

The way this can be done is for you to invite everyone to meet together and to let them know what the meeting will be all about, where and when it will take place. This is what we call the planning meeting.

IT CAN BE FUN!!

The best way to predict the future is to invent it. - Alan Kay

To find out more about planning services in Grey Bruce:

Contact the Grey Bruce Family Network at gbfnetwork@hotmail.ca for the names of independent facilitators in Grey Bruce or visit their Facebook page to learn more.

Information for this document provided by Dan Healy, Mediator/External Facilitator - Chrysalis Consulting.