Person-Centered Support …A Journey
toward Belonging
By Philip Kuehn
A year ago in this
publication, we introduced a then-new partnership between LSS and the
Council on Quality & Leadership. Simply referred to as "The Council," this
agency has provided us with many valuable resources in our endeavor to
become more person-centered. Person-centered planning is an approach that
places the individual at the center of the process of defining the
direction for their lives, leading to greater inclusion as a valued member
of both community and society.
The way we interact is a
reflection of what we believe about that person or about a particular
group of people. Therefore, a person-centered approach to working with
people with developmental disabilities requires maintaining an awareness
and conviction that the recipients of those services are, first and
foremost, full and complete human beings, every bit as deserving of a full
and rich life experience as anyone else.
Intensive training has been
provided to all Home and Community Living Services (HCLS) leadership
staff. Additional training events have included Lead Staff and Direct
Support Professionals. Further, many of our materials have been updated or
revised to reflect values implicit in a person-centered approach.
The HCLS stories in this
edition indicate that our efforts are having meaningful results for the
people we support. The concept of choice is an underlying theme in
virtually every experience being described.
Choice is a central concept
within person-centered supports. The opportunity to choose empowers people
to live life on their own terms. Many of the people we support need our
involvement in their lives. Therefore, it is our responsibility to present
options in a manner that they can appreciate, and to which they can
respond. When this occurs, it is truly amazing what we learn about these
people as individuals.
Along with choice, cultivating
relationships that are mutually significant is an important value.
Historically, the circle of friends for an individual with developmental
disabilities has been limited to workers who are paid to provide support
to them, either at home or at work. Imagine how you would feel if all of
your friends were paid to hang out with you. Why would a person with
developmental disabilities find this circumstance any more satisfying?
Relationships with members of the support staff are often rewarding and
valuable. However, they fall short of our goal of fostering meaningful and
reciprocal relationships. This goal will require going beyond the clinical
essence of "community integration." Person-centeredness embraces a sense
of belonging that can only be experienced in a relationship that is
genuine to those involved. We need to encourage the development of "social
capital" for the people we support.
"Social capital" describes
relationships that are of value, that carry influence, and that reflect
inclusion and belonging. It would include those with whom you socialize,
those you call when you need a shoulder, those you rely on when you need a
hand, as well as those you call when you need an advocate How much
influence, or social capital, an individual has is directly related to
both the quality and quantity of relationships they have, and quality is
more important than quantity. Social capital is evidenced when a person
has a role within a group and contributes to the group's experience. They
would be missed if they were not there. An usher at church, a member of
the community choir or local theatre, a member of club organized around an
interest or hobby are all examples of relationships that carry social
capital.
Making a list that reflects
formidable social capital is relatively easy for many people. This is not
the case for most people with developmental disabilities. Our challenge is
clear. We need to find ways of cultivating relationships between the
people we support and members of the community so that they end up with a
comparable list of relationships, ones that enhance a sense of belonging
for everyone involved.
The journey continues. But as
you can see, The Council is helping us stay in a learning mode.
Others on this person
centered planning committee include Jeri Schoonover, Nancy Rosemore, John
Brooberg, Sara Hartgraves, Derek Harmon, Deb Kook, Alicia Grammins.
