Person-Centered Planning

Person-Centered Planning

We believe support should never be a barrier to accessing opportunities, meaningful relationships, or community inclusion.

An African-American man wearing a pink button-down shirt shows an older Caucasian woman wearing a yellow turtleneck something on a digital tablet.
An African-American woman plays with an African-American toddler. They are both smiling, and the woman wears a light grey sweater and the boy wears a pale yellow shirt.

Historically, individuals needing support were often removed from their families or communities to receive services. We are proud to be a distinguished affiliate of Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC), a framework that guides our person-centered approach. CtLC recognizes that individuals are part of dynamic family systems and that both individuals and families need support to live their vision of a good life—together. 

Life is a journey, and everyone’s path is unique. At SCI, we support individuals of all ages—recognizing that needs and goals evolve over time. We are here to provide guidance, resources and support at every life stage.   

  • Infancy: from conception through the earliest years of life or babyhood.
  • Early Childhood: the time in a child’s life before they begin school full time.
  • School Age: the years from kindergarten through middle school.
  • Transitional Youth (or Transition to Adulthood): moving from childhood to young adulthood and from school to adult life.
  • Adulthood: period of time after we transition from school years through the time we begin entering our golden years.
  • Aging: the golden years are when we begin to slow down and experience many age-related changes.

Everyone has their own vision of a good life. At SCI, we help individuals explore all areas of life—self-determination, relationships, economic stability, and community inclusion—to create a personalized life plan that reflects their goals and values. 

  • Daily Life & Employment: What a person does as part of everyday life–school, employment, volunteering, communication, routines, life skills.
  • Community Living: Where and how someone lives – housing and living options, community access, transportation, home adaptations and modifications.
  • Healthy Living: Managing and accessing health care and staying well – medical, mental health, behavioral health, developmental, wellness and nutrition.
  • Safety & Security: Staying safe and secure – emergencies, well-being, guardianship options, legal rights and issues.
  • Social & Spirituality: Building friendships and relationships, leisure activities, personal networks, and faith community.
  • Advocacy & Engagement: Building valued roles, making choices, setting goals, assuming responsibility and driving how one’s own life is lived.

 

Throughout life, we rely on many types of supports to help us live the life we envision. The Integrated Supports framework encourages individuals and families to consider a full range of resources across five categories. By exploring these categories, we can identify gaps, uncover opportunities, and create more personalized, sustainable plans that adapt to changing needs over time.

  • Personal Strengths & Assets: skills, knowledge or life experience
  • Technology: personal technology, environmental technologies, and assistive or adaptive technologies
  • Relationships: family, friends and acquaintances
  • Community-Based: places (like schools or faith-based communities), groups or membership organizations, or public services and resources
  • Eligibility Specific: needs based services based on various criteria (age, geography, income level, disability or diagnosis)