Individual Program Plans
By: Golden Gate Regional Center
What Is An Individual Program Plan?
After eligibility is determined, your Case Manager will meet with you to develop an individualized plan which is tailored to help you achieve the outcomes you desire, and the future you prefer for yourself or your family member. The Lanterman Act requires that an individualized plan be developed for every consumer who receives services from the regional center.
For children from birth to three years of age, the plan is called an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). The first IFSP is completed within 45 days of the family's initial contact with the regional center. For consumers older than three years of age, the plan is called an Individual Program Plan (IPP), and is completed within 60 days after eligibility is determined.
The purpose of the IPP/IFSP is to design a plan that shows how you are going to work toward achieving the outcomes that you prefer for yourself or your family member. It answers the question: How are you going to get from here to there?
Sometimes the outcomes you would prefer can take a long time to accomplish and require that you learn new skills, make certain choices, and take certain steps along the way in order to achieve them. That's why this type of outcome is referred to as a long-term goal. Long-term goals describe the preferences you have for your future. An example of a long-term goal would be:
Goal: I would like to live independently in an apartment.
The IPP/IFSP documents your long-term goals or outcomes for your preferred future. It also outlines the steps and actions you or your family member will begin taking now in order to achieve your desired outcomes in the future. These steps and actions are referred to as short-term objectives. Short-term objectives are usually time-limited and stated in terms that allow you to measure your progress in achieving them. Examples of short-term objectives, where the desired outcome of the objective would be to get a step closer to the long-term goal or preferred future listed above are:
Goal: I would like to live independently in an apartment.
Objective 1:
I will participate in Independent Living Skills Training for the next six months to learn shopping, cooking and cleaning skills.
Objective 2:
I will open a savings account in the next three months and begin saving money for moving into my own apartment.
The IPP/IFSP also lists a schedule of the type and amount of supports and services you will need in order to achieve your objectives, and who is responsible for providing the needed supports and services. If any of the supports and services you receive are purchased by the regional center, it is a requirement of the Lanterman Act that they be listed in the IPP/IFSP. Some examples of supports and services for the goal and objectives listed above are:
Goal: I would like to live independently in an apartment.
Objective 1:
I will participate in Independent Living Skills Training for the next six months to learn shopping, cooking and cleaning skills.
- Support: The Independent Living program will provide one-hour training sessions for me three times per week.
- Support: Golden Gate Regional Center will fund independent living skills training for me, three hours per week for the next six months (7/1/2000 through 12/31/2000).
Objective 2:
I will open a savings account in the next three months and begin saving money for moving into my own apartment.
- Support: My mother will take me with her when she does her weekly banking and will assist me with opening a savings account.
How is an IPP/IFSP developed?
The IPP/IFSP is developed by a planning team. The members of this planning team include you, the consumer or involved family member, your Case Manager, and other important people in your life such as parents, extended family, friends, or other people who provide you with support and care. If you have already identified or developed a circle of support, the members of your circle of support can assist you as part of your planning team. All the members of the planning team are equally respected and are given a chance to speak and be listened to by everyone.
The planning team works together to figure out where you or your family member want to go (long-term goals/preferred future), how you want to get there (short-term objectives), and what kinds of services and supports you may need along the way in order to achieve your desired outcomes and preferred future.
What is a
Person-Centered planning?
Person-centered planning refers to the process your planning team uses when
assisting you to develop your IPP/IFSP. A planning process is person-centered when it focuses or centers on you, the consumer or involved family member. Person-centered planning means focusing on strengths, capabilities and needs in developing a plan that assists you or your family member to achieve an independent, productive and satisfying life. When the planning team uses a person-centered planning process to assist a consumer in developing an IPP, it means that the planning team will:
- Invite people to the IPP meeting whom you want on your team.
- Schedule the IPP meeting at a time that is convenient for you.
- Focus on your preferences and choices.
- Give you and the people in your circle of support the information needed to make choices and decisions.
- Support the way you choose to live and spend your time.
- Make sure that the services you receive are supporting your choices.
- Make sure that the services you receive make a difference in your life.
How
do I prepare for this important meeting?
You can start by preparing a description of you or your family member in terms of strengths, abilities, accomplishments, concerns, and needs. Be ready to discuss your future or the future of your family member in terms of desires, plans, goals and positive outcomes.
Prepare a list of how you, as a consumer or involved family member, can use your personal skills and abilities to take steps toward achieving the outcomes you desire for yourself or your family member. Identify other people you know who can provide assistance and support, and list what other types of support, such as community resources and public services, you or your family member can access to meet your needs.
Finally, think about what types of training or specialized services and supports you or your family member might require to accomplish the outcomes and goals identified in your plan.
How
and when is my IPP/IFSP reviewed and revised?
Periodically, your Case Manager will contact you or your family member to discuss if the IPP/IFSP and the supports and services you are receiving are meeting your needs and making a difference in your life.
- For children receiving early intervention services (birth to three years of age), parents are contacted for a discussion every six months.
- For consumers three years of age and older who reside with their families, the consumer or his/her involved family are contacted for a discussion at least once a year.
- For consumers three years of age and older who reside in either community, independent or supported living situations, the Case Manager meets with the consumer or his/her involved family member every three months. The discussion