It is up to each person on the planning team to help to develop the right solution for the person in their unique situation. Deciding when to include a personal goal in the PCSP and how many personal goals to address can be difficult. Make sure the personal goal is what the person wants the end result to be - not the supports to help them get there (not the means to an end but the “end”).
Especially check for this problem if many small goals are listed with one support under each goal; often these can be re-framed as supports and services and grouped together under one personal goal.
Prioritize what is most important to the person and what will make the biggest difference in their life; consider hopes, dreams, passions, and ambitions, as well as likes and preferences. There is no set number of goals for anyone; some people will only focus on one personal goal, others will have many. Remember that some people are big dreamers/planners while others are more concrete short-term planners; it needs to be individualized.
Individualization is based on the person receiving services, not on the preferences of the Support Coordinator or the provider. Every personal goal identified in the assessment process does not need to be addressed in the PCSP. Prioritize what to focus on now and list other personal goals as future goals. Consider the ability of the provider and what they are able to manage. It can be exceptionally difficult to track an overwhelming number of goals.
The Team should consider the following issues when developing the Action plan:
1. What are the barriers to the person's personal goals?
2. What natural supports are in place or could be developed?
3. What other support and services are in place or could be accessed?
4. What identified needs remain as unmet given the current set of supports that
have been provided?
5. What waiver services are required to address identified needs?
6. What are the most cost efficient, least restrictive and most effective available
support alternatives to meet identified needs?
7. What are the final decisions about where to live, what to do during the day,
selection of waiver services and providers, etc.
When holding an effective meeting, consider the amount of time you are using as a group. Using your time together effectively is a great benefit to the individual and the planning team. An effective meeting should utilize the abilities of everyone to plan and consider options prior to the actual meeting being held. Additionally, the individual should be given the opportunity to lead the meeting with support from the planning team.
Also, remember to come to the meeting organized and prepared with all the necessary paperwork to make efficient use of everyone’s time.