Person Centered Thinking is not just a set of skills that are used to help create documents with a person but it really is the heart and soul of who a person is and how they communicate with others. Being Person Centered is the heart of our world.  It helps us to speak a simular language, think in similar ways, and work towards the same goal of providing excellent supports and services. If we can think and feel in a Person Centered way we can help move to a Person Centered Community.

Person Centered Thinking and Planning revolves around the core concept of what is Important To and Important For a person.  The system is very good at helping people identify what is Important For them.  These are the things that involve the Health and Safety of a person.  For example, preventing illness, making sure medical conditions are addressed.  This also includes helping to make sure that a person is in a safe environment and free from fear.  Finally Important For someone is great at helping others see what is necessary for a person to be valued and a contributing member of their community.  What we need to help support people be better as it identifying what is Important To a person.  Helping a person have what is Important To them are thing what in their life help them feel satisfied, content, comforted, fulfilled and happy.

To help us better listen to people and get to the heart who they are and how they want supports delivered there are a set of tools that can help.  These tool are in three different categories, Discovery and Listening Skills, Everyday Learning Skills and Management Skills.   Discovery and Listening Skills help to hear a person better and dig deeper to what they are telling us. The skills that help us with Discovery and Listening include:

Communication Chart

Rituals and Routines

Good Day/Bad Day

Relationship Map

Two Minute Drill

Reputations

The three Everyday Learning Skills help us to really learn and listen to what is Important To and For them in life.  These skills help us to have meaningful conversations that will help support a person having positive control in their life.  These skills include:

Working/ Not Working (What Makes Sense/Doesn’t Make Sense)

Learning Log

4+1 Questions

Finally, the Management Skills can help provide clear communication and accountability. These two skills also take things we have learned in other skills to organize how a person wants support provided.  Management Skills include:

Donut Sort

Matching

To learn more about Person Centered Thinking and Planning join us for a 2 day In Person Training or 6 sessions of Online Training.  Please check out the Calendar of Events for current training opportunities.  Everyone is welcome and CEU Units are available for VMRC Vendor. Help us expand Person Centered Thinking to as many hearts as possible.