Person-Centered Planning and Emergency Preparedness
What Is Person-Centered Planning?
A person-centered plan (PCP) is a plan that focuses on a person. The plan will consider what the person is good at, what they like, and their goals. This type of plan will also have medical information about the person. This type of plan will not force someone into a service that does not work for them. A PCP will help create supports and services that meet a person’s needs. This plan will help plan for an entire life.
Person-centered planning focuses on what is important to a person. It also focuses on what is important for a person. This allows them to make choices about their future.
Important Parts of Person-Centered Planning:
- The person receiving the support helps to make the plan.
- The person chooses who participates in planning meetings.
- Planning focuses on what a person can do, what they are good at, and what they like. It also includes ways for people to try new things.
- Goals show what is important to the individual, not just what the system thinks they should do.
- Supports are specific to each person. They should help with independence, choice, inclusion, and living a full life.
- Plans can change as a person’s needs, interests, and situation changes.
What Is Emergency Person-Centered Planning?
Emergency person-centered planning is used before, during, and after emergencies. These plans help make sure a person has support and knows what to do during an emergency. The plan should be specific to each person. It will focus on their needs, routines, and communication preferences. It will have information about how to help keep the person healthy and safe. There will also be information about how the person gets transportation and who their trusted caregivers are. This information is important because these things can change quickly during an emergency. These changes can be challenging for people with intellectual disabilities
and autism. Planning ahead can help
Remember to always be informed, make a plan, and take action! Prepared people save lives. Check out AID in PA’s emergency preparedness resource collection for more information.
Emergency Person-Centered Plan Checklist
Emergency person-centered planning helps to make sure a person has support and knows what to do during an emergency. The CMIST model can help make the plan. CMIST stands for Communication, Maintaining Health, Independence, Support and Safety, and Transportation.
- Communication: This includes information about how you speak, hear, and see.
- Maintaining Health: This includes information about your medical needs such as conditions, medications, and equipment.
- Independence: This includes information about what helps you live your daily life, such as sensory needs.
- Support and Safety: This includes information about you, such as identification and what to do in a crisis. This also includes information on how to keep you safe.
- Transportation: This includes information on how to safely transport you and any equipment you have/need.
- Other: This includes information about your insurance, service animal, and staff/caregiver(s).
Download the PDF at the bottom of the page to view the checklist.
Other downloads
| Name | Description | Type | File |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Person-Centered Planning | This resource explains what PCP is and how it can be used to prepare for an emergency. | Download file: Emergency Person-Centered Planning | |
| Emergency Person-Centered Planning Checklist | The checklist can be used to help create your emergency person-centered plan. | Download file: Emergency Person-Centered Planning Checklist |
This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.