Person-Centered Planning and Independent Facilitators: Building a Life Around Your Goals

At the heart of the Self-Determination Program is a simple but powerful idea: services should be built around the person, not the other way around. That idea comes to life through person-centered planning—and, for many participants, with the help of an independent facilitator.

What is person-centered planning?

Person-centered planning (PCP) is a process for figuring out what a good life looks like for you and what supports will help you get there. Rather than starting with a list of available services, it starts with you: your strengths, your preferences, your relationships, and your goals.

A person-centered plan typically captures two kinds of things:

• What's important TO you—the people, activities, routines, and choices that make your life meaningful.
• What's important FOR you—the health, safety, and support needs that help you stay well and thrive.

Why person-centered planning matters in the SDP

In the Self-Determination Program, your person-centered plan does real work. It informs the individual budget discussion with your Regional Center and shapes the spending plan that lists the services you'll buy.

A strong plan turns "what services exist?" into "what life do I want, and what will help me live it?"

Who is an independent facilitator?

An independent facilitator (IF) is someone you can choose to help you navigate self-determination and the person-centered planning process. Independent facilitators are trained in the principles of self-determination and can help you:

• Identify your goals and lead your person-centered planning meetings
• Understand your options and coordinate the services you choose to purchase
• Prepare for conversations with your Regional Center
• Stay organized as you move through the program

Using an independent facilitator is optional. Some participants lead the process themselves or with family; others find an IF's experience invaluable. The choice is yours.

Who pays for an independent facilitator?

For the transition into the SDP, the cost of an independent facilitator is paid by the Regional Center. If you choose to continue working with an independent facilitator (or switch to a different one) after that transition, those fees typically come out of your individual budget.

Putting it all together

Person-centered planning gives your program its direction, and an independent facilitator—if you choose one—helps you walk the path with confidence. Once your plan and budget are set and your services are underway, a Financial Management Service keeps the financial machinery running smoothly in the background. That's where TrueCare FMS fits in—we support the plan you built by handling payroll, taxes, vendor payments, and recordkeeping with care.