WHO
IS THE PERSON
The first step in getting to know individuals is to develop relationships with them as previously described. Next, the Support Broker will need to enage in specific activities to know what is most important to the people they serve, what things they like to do, who is involved in their lives, and to identify their dreams, preferences, and goals. To best learn about people with disabilities, Support Brokers must create situations where information can be shared safely and respectfully. Following is a list of ways to get to know the adult with a disability:
1.Interview the person in a setting where they are comfortable
(e.g., a favorite coffee shop, their home, the park). 2. Interview family, friends, co-workers, and other community
members that are identified as playing an important role (e.g.,
the local banker, a paid provider, church members). 3. Spend time with the person doing things they like to do.
4.Use specific tools that can help the person describe what they
like and dislike, such as MAPS, Futures Planning, PATHS.
Meeting With the Circle of Support
Once you have built a level of trust with your employer you can arrange to meet with his or her Circle of Support and begin the planning process. The initial part of planning is often focused on helping the Circle of Support contribute to and understand WHO THE PERSON IS. As a reminder, the Circle of Support may be small (involving only a couple of people) or large (involving several family members, friends, and community supports). The size is not what is important. What is important, is that the people who are invited to participate are there because the adult with a disability wants them there, and because they care.
WHO should come to the person-centered planning meeting? People who the adult would like to celebrate with. People who the adult likes to spend time with. People who care about the feelings and dreams of the adult. People who want to be part of creative planning and who are
willing to help implement the plan.
Choosing the Right Tools
Many tools are available to help the Support Broker and the Circle of Support better know the adult with a disability, his dreams, goals, and preferences. Each tool presented in the TOOL BOX below, can used like a paintbrush to create a picture of the person with a disability and what he or she wants in life. Each tool is unique and offers different advantages. It is important to choose the tool that best fits the person, their communication style, and the level of supports they desire and/or currently receive. For an individual who has many community involvements, using Personal Futures Planning may be most helpful. If you need a tool that helps to identify a person's dreams, then MAPs or PATHs may be the better choice. To learn about each tool, the steps for using them, and additional information such as videos or workbooks that can be accessed click on the weblinks below in the TOOL BOX. Additionally, Support Brokers can access person-centered training tools from local school districts or state program offices such as the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation or Health and Welfare.
Personal Futures Planning
can help you answer:
What needs to change? What connections are already in place to
support the goal? How will daily routines change to reach the
goal?
For more information on the MAP and PATH process, read the following article.
Additional Resources
Allen, Shea and Associates is a California based advocacy organization who have helped create many planning resources. Click here to visit their website for more information. www.allenshea.com/
Bryn and Clark Fortune discuss their experiences with person-centered planning and the skills they see as important for facilitators to have. At the core of their experience is the need for facilitators to respect the information that they are striving to document for the betterment of the focus person. MAPs and PATH plans often address difficult emotions and fears. Facilitators can help Circles of Support identify themes to fears, interests and dreams in order to assist in determining goals.
Support Brokers can quickly read about the impact of two types of
person-centered planning techniques: MAPs and PATH plans. This family
perspective should not lead Brokers to believe these two processes
are primarily for children. They can be used with individuals of
any age and any type of disability.
Case Example
Chase Doty is a young man who has just graduated from high school. In the video sample below you will see the Support Broker talking to Chase and his Circle of Support. The Support Broker is trying to find out more about Chase, his interests, and things he likes to do. The video sample illustrates how difficult it can be to get to know a person during the planning session. As you watch, think about ways you could get Chase to open up, to share his dreams and preferences; or perhaps other ways to get to know Chase outside of the planning process. Chase is the young man with the John Deere sweatshirt and baseball hat.
Chase
Doty
Sometimes a typical interview doesn't tell you much about your employer or their friends and family. Think of all the different ways you get to know people and how you are limited by only using formal interviews as a Support Broker.
Chase is a young man who was pretty shy, in part due to the filming, but you may have an employer who is similar to Chase in this way. What didn't you learn about Chase from this video?
What
you didn't learn: Chase loves John Deere! Chase sings like George Strait. Chase loves to drive. Chase has a job he enjoys. Chase just graduated from high
school
How
did we learn these things? Took a tour of his home. Encouraged him to sing for us! Asked to see his trucks. Went to see him at work. Asked about the decorations
hanging up in the garage.
Chase
Doty
This video shows you just how dynamic Chase is. How can you make sure that you learn all that you can about your future employers? Your time and creativity does make a difference!
Individuals with disabilities may communicate
in many different ways. For more information, click
here to review a helpful page about communication. Keep in mind that it is the Support Broker's responsibility to
ask questions and seek answers until WHO THE PERSON IS becomes
clear.
Home
People who the adult would like to celebrate with.
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