A comprehensive Individual Support Plan will at minimum include the following elements:
- The Customer’s goal(s)
- The support(s) required to meet goal(s)
- How the support is related to the individual’s developmental disability
- How the support will help the individual reach his/her goal(s)
- By whom the support will be provided
- How the support will be accessed (natural supports) or, if necessary, how it will be funded
- How much (if anything) the support will cost and how it is cost effective compared to similar services
- How and how often the quality of services will be monitored
Plan decisions are made by Customers and their chosen support circle with assistance from the Personal Agent. A wide range of strategies will be employed, based on the Customer’s individual needs and desires. These decisions can happen through an informal process in which a Personal Agent and Customer come to conclusions through discussion and use of person-centered tools such as the Customer Goal Survey or through a more formalized process of employing Person Centered Planning practices such as MAPS (Making Action Plans), Personal Future’s Plans (PFP), Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (PATH) and Essential Lifestyle Planning (ELP). Other methods for making plan determinations can be employed at the Customer’s direction.
The PA, utilizing his/her skills in assessment and Person Centered Planning, will assist the Customer and the Customer’s chosen support circle in defining support needs. Once Customer needs and goals are determined, the PA will assist the Customer in identifying all available resources. After the choice for the most appropriate resource has been made, it will be included the ISP. The ideal ISP is understandable and meaningful for all involved parties including the Customer, the funding source (Medicaid), and anyone who is identified to assist in carrying out the services defined in the plan. In other words, it must honor and accurately reflect the wishes of the Customer, include a realistic plan of action to meet the identified goals, and be in compliance with all state and federal guidelines. |
