Person Centered Planning

Philosophy and Practice

The Arc of Steuben is centered on the people with disabilities, what each individual wants for their life, and how people with disabilities can have fully inclusive community lives.

One of the most powerful methods for achieving those goals is Person-Centered Planning. The Arc of Steuben uses a variety of planning tools that help a person and his/her circle of support to create a plan unique to the individual. The members of a circle of support may include family members, an advocate, friends, other community members (who are non-paid) and service providers (paid).  The individual is in charge of deciding who is a part of his/her circle of support.

Being person centered means having a commitment to know and deeply seek to understand the person.  It means to be open to being guided by the person not the system.  It means being flexible, creative and open to trying what might be possible.  It means to listen to the person, respect the person's choices and values.  We strive to live the person centered philosophy as we carry out our responsibilities.   

The planning process starts with the person, his/her dreams and values.  It includes a facilitated meeting with the person and his/her circle of support.  We use various planning tools to help us to be creative, open and flexible for trying what might be possible.  The planning is built on the values of inclusion and social roles.