SW 644: Issues in Developmental Disabilities Best Practice: Moving Beyond the Service System and Expanding Normalization in and with Community Lecture Presenter: Connie Lyle O’Brien, MSW Person-Centered Planning; The Process and Other Resources

Voluntary participation in a large group person- centered planning process Introducing ideas and skills essential to person-centered planning Defining a set of person-centered planning tasks for circles to work on in a self-managed way Orchestrating the sharing of experience and learning among the circles Involving resource people who provide relevant ideas, information and inspiration A facilitator team guides the whole large group by:

Conditions that safeguard the process Participation is voluntary A team of skilled facilitators with knowledge of and commitment to personalized supports A circle including (1) the focus person (2) someone who loves the person (3) others with a personal or work-related investment in the focus person’s future Group as a whole is diverse but united by a common life transition & the circumstances of living with a disability in a particular place & service system

Re-think your world (Enter their world) with the question How can this setting or association take up responsibility for inclusion? Sing their songs Honor their purposes Learn their language Consider their traditions, history & identity Thoughtfully weigh their fallibilities & limits. Discover their customs for decision making, deliberation, & persuasion

“You can trust us to stick to you thorough thick and thin –to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours – closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo. Anyway: there it is.” –The Fellowship of the Ring

The Center on Human Policy “Community Inclusion Toolkit” Includes a big literature review, current to 2005 Lots of free downloads, including by Connie & John Books and DVD’s, including by Connie & John The view on self-directed support from England & Scotland

A Road Map of the Journey The Tasks and Tools of Personal Futures Planning VALUES Relationships Places Valued Roles Choice Contribution TASK 2: Finding Capacities in People TASK 1: Getting to Know People TASK 3: Finding Opportunities in Community Life TASK 4: Creating a Vision for the Future TASK 5: Supporting People Over Time to Take Action and Try Things TASK 6: Organizational Change: Constructive System Support Tool: The Relationship Map Tool: The Personal Profile Tool: The Community Building Map Tool: The Futures Plan Tool: Follow Along Meetings & Action Plans Tool: Designing Platforms for Change

Self-efficacy (Albert Bandura, 1997; 1995) Self-efficacy = People’s belief in their capacity to organize & carry out the actions necessary to produce a desired effect. what courses of action people choose to pursue how much effort they will invest in a course of action how long they will persevere when faced with obstacles & failure how resilient they are to adverse circumstances how much stress & depression they experience when they have to cope with difficulties how much they accomplish People’s beliefs in their efficacy influence:

How do you know it’s person-centered planning? 1. The person is at the center 2. Family members & friends are full partners 3. The focus is on developing capacities 4. Hopeful action happens 5. Listening & learning continue

What person-centered planners do Build a capacity view and a rich vision for a community future Challenge deficiency thinking Get involved with community people, places, & associations Raise expectations Join others to create opportunities, develop resources, & arrange assistance

How they do it Gather the people who care & can act Listen respectfully to understand the whole person Search for possibilities by describing history & current realities, & by seeking ideas & leads from others Create & share vivid & powerful images of desirable futures as a platform for asking for what is desirable Go through many cycles of learning by acting, inviting others into the action, & reflecting

Experiences that will increase self-efficacy (Bandura)  Acquiring capacities to overcome obstacles through sustained efforts  Seeing people similar to themselves succeed through perseverance  Experiencing acknowledged successes in environments where failure is unlikely & hearing others express accurate confidence in their ability to manage changing situations  Interpreting emotional & physical reactions to difficult situations as sources of energy for action or sources of important information about the task Self-efficacy = People’s belief in their capacity to organize & carry out the actions necessary to produce a desired effect.

Discovering Capacity Creating Vision Sharing Resources Building Community Developing Supports Themes of Person-Centered Work

Discovering Capacity Creating Vision Sharing Resources Building Community Developing Supports Contributing Being Respected Sharing Ordinary Places Belonging Choosing