Informed choice and being a respected part of the community are crucial quality of life issues for people with DD and their families.  The Sonoran UCEDD is committed to increasing person-centered thinking and practices throughout the state of Arizona to enhance the quality of life of individuals with DD.  We will continue to provide trainings for individuals with DD and their families, provider and agency staff, and the community at  large in person-centered philosophy and tools; maintain a web-based forum and matching service for trained facilitators and individuals with DD and their families to connect who would like to complete a PCP; and facilitate statewide collaboration by convening a PCP and practices stakeholder group to determine next steps and opportunities for systemic change.

Person-Centered Planning (PCP) is a guided process assisting individuals to identify the steps needed to make their dreams become a reality. It is a proactive and positive approach which emphasizes the strengths and wishes of the individual and brings together many of the supportive people in this person’s life. The concept of Person-Centered Planning has been in practice for many years and is widely accepted as a beneficial and rewarding process for all involved.

Past Activities

• Person Centered Service Planning for Medicaid Recipients
  The Sonoran UCEDD provided technical assistance to Arizona's Medicaid Agency (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System; AHCCCS; 2019-2021) to comply with the CMS rule for home and community-based services (HCBS) regarding provision of person-centered service planning. Activities included reveiwing all AHCCCS policies to meet compliance with HCBS regulations; hosting community forums to obtain input on the service planning process; drafting new service planning documents; developing training for support coordinators and case managers; and leading an advisory workgroup of Medicaid members, family members, and managed care organizations to get feedback on planning documents and training curriculum.
   
• Statewide Workgroup on Person-Centered Practices & Transition
  This workgroup was formed as part of the 5-year project (2012-2017), Creating a "Picture of a Life" for Transitioning Youth with DD in Foster Care, in collaboration with DDD and funded by the AZ DD Planning Council to develop person-centered plans for transition age (14-18 year old) youth with DD in foster care.

For more information about the Sonoran UCEDD's Person-Centered Initiative or its projects, please contact project director:
Jacy Farkas, MA
jkbell@email.arizona.edu
520.626.2207