Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board

Person-Centered Planning Information

The SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SC DDSN) and its statewide network of local Disabilities and Special Needs (DSN) Boards and other providers began implementing a new service delivery approach in July 1998.

The new approach, called person-centered services, will give South Carolinians with disabilities and their families more choice and control in the services and supports they receive from SCDDSN.  The new approach will be phased in over several years.

The primary purpose of the person-centered approach is to help individuals with severe, life-long disabilities live more meaningful, fulfilling lives by increasing choice and control.

Steps in the Planning Process

• Before the planning meeting, the service coordinator explains the person-centered planning process.  Consumers and families are offered a choice of planning options.  Families can choose to develop a plan without the assistance of a facilitator - if that is the choice, the service coordinator will develop the plan with the family and consumer.  If a family chooses to use a facilitator the service coordinator gives the individual and/or family a list of trained facilitators.  Remember, the Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board provides Facilitation.  Families in Richland and Lexington counties can choose to use their service coordinator to provide facilitation, or they can choose a facilitator other than their service coordinator.  
• The individual/family selects a facilitator, a date for the planning meeting, and the people he or she wishes to attend the meeting (the circle of support).  The service coordinator may assist the consumer in identifying members of the circle of support.
• The service coordinator makes meeting arrangements.  
• The service coordinator must attend the meeting.
• At the planning meeting the service coordinator/facilitator guides the individual and circle of support in addressing immediate and long-term goals and needs.  Information is gathered to identify the individual's preferences, talents, interests and hopes for a meaningful life both now and in the future.  The circle helps the individual identify specific goals and develop a plan of supports. 
• Goals and needs identified are recorded in a Plan of Support. 
• Once the individual's plan is approved by SC DDSN regional office, the planning stage has ended and the plan is put into action.
• It is the Service Coordinator's job to be the link between the planning and the implementation.  All circle members share responsibility for implementing the plan.

Identifying the Level of Need and Resources Required to Meet Needs

SC DDSN gets information through the Inventory for Client and Agency Planning (ICAP) and the South Carolina Supplement (SCS).

The ICAP provides information about a person's skills and abilities at the time of the assessment.  It includes information on:  safety, supports needed to initiate and maintain relationships, daily functioning skills, work, hobbies and interests, psychological status and behavior, medical information

The SCS provides information about personal relationships and natural supports available from family, friends, church members or other community contacts.

The information from the ICAP and SCS is used to obtain a composite service score.  The score identifies an individual's level of need for supports.  SCDDSN authorizes spending for each person based on level of need and availability of resources.

Information from:   A Guide for Consumers and Families:  Person-Centered Services, published by the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs

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Date late edited: Friday, September 17, 2004