Chapter 4. Person-Centered Planning

Mental Health: Person Centered Planning

The process used to design your individual plan of mental health supports, service, or treatment is called "Person-centered Planning" (PCP). PCP is your right as guaranteed by the Michigan Mental Health Code.

The process begins when you determine whom, beside yourself, you would like at the person-centered planning meetings, such as family members or friends, and what staff from the Thumb Alliance PIHP you would like to attend. You will also decide when and where the person-centered planning meetings will be held. Finally, you will decide what assistance you might need to help you participate in and understand the meetings.

During person-centered planning, you will be asked what are your hopes and dreams, and will be helped to develop goals or outcomes you want to achieve. The people attending this meeting will help you decide what supports, services or treatment you need, who you would like to provide this service, how often you need the service, and where it will be provided. You have the right, under federal and state laws, to a choice of providers.

After you begin receiving services, you will be asked from time to time how you feel about the supports, services or treatment you are receiving and whether changes need to be made. You have the right to ask at any time for a new person-centered planning meeting if you want to talk about changing your plan of service.

You have the right to "independent facilitation" of the person-centered planning process. This means that you may request that someone other than the Thumb Alliance PIHP staff conduct your planning meetings. You have the right to choose from available independent facilitators.

Children under the age of 18 with developmental disabilities or serious emotional disturbance also have the right to person-centered planning. However, person-centered planning must recognize the importance of the family and the fact that supports and services impact the entire family. The parent(s) or guardian(s) of the children will be involved in pre-planning and person-centered planning using "family-centered practice" in the delivery of supports, services and treatment to their children.

Topics Covered during Person-Centered Planning

During person-centered planning, you will be told about psychiatric advance directives, a crisis plan, and self-determination (see the descriptions below). You have the right to choose to develop any, all, or none of these.

• Psychiatric Advance Directive

Adults have the right, under Michigan law, to a "psychiatric advance directive." A psychiatric advance directive is a tool for making decisions before a crisis in which you may become unable to make a decision about the kind of treatment you want and the kind of treatment you do not want. This lets other people, including family, friends, and service providers, know what you want when you cannot speak for yourself. If you'd like to learn more about advance directives, call your Primary Case Holder who will connect you with the peer support specialist who is trained to give information about advance directives. Reference: MCL 700.5506 (Public Act 386 of 1998 - Part 5 - Durable Power of Attorney and Designation of Patient Advocate).

• Crisis Plan

You also have the right to develop a "crisis plan." A crisis plan is intended to give direct care if you begin to have problems in managing your life or you become unable to make decisions and care for yourself. The crisis plan would give information and direction to others about what you would like to have them do during a crisis. Examples are friends or relatives to be called, preferred medicines, or care of children, pets, or bills.

• Self-determination

Self-determination is an option for payment of medically necessary services you might request if you are an adult beneficiary receiving mental health services in Michigan. It is a process that would help you to design and exercise control over your own life by directing a fixed amount of dollars that will be spent on your authorized supports and services, often referred to as an "individual budget." You would also be supported in your management of providers, if you choose such control.

Substance Use Disorder: Individualized Treatment Plan

Individualized treatment planning is based on the idea that "one size does not fit all" when it comes to treatment. Your treatment plan must be tailored to your needs. You will participate in the process of making your treatment plan. Unlike person-centered planning, which may involve your family and friends, you and your counselor together will plan your treatment for your substance use disorder. Your situation, your needs, goals and desires will be taken into account when deciding your level of care, length of treatment, aftercare, and planning for your discharge.