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Institute on Disability Publishes Guide for Person-Centered Planning

Durham, NH - The Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire is pleased to announce the release of its latest publication “Little Ones Have Big Dreams Too: A Guide for Facilitators”. Authored by Ann Dillon, M.Ed., OTL, Project Coordinator at the Institute and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of New Hampshire, this exciting new illustrated and user-friendly guide is designed for developmental services agencies, school systems, positive behavioral support teams, mental health teams, Head Start agencies, wrap-around teams, early intervention teams, parents, and facilitators interested in gaining greater knowledge around person-centered planning for children from preschool through early teens. The guide contains helpful graphic maps accompanied by a parent’s perspective and offers readers a chance to follow these maps in an organized sequence.

Person-Centered Planning (PCP) is a process that begins with the active participation of a committed group of people gathering to engage in an ongoing and creative process of planning for someone who needs extra support in the coming months or years. It is ideal for people who are seeking an innovative, informal, person-centered, community engagement approach to change as opposed to a more system-directed, formalized and regulated approach to planning for change. This visual, creative, uplifting and change driven process focuses on creating individualized outcomes that are tailored to the child, family, and group of people engaged in the process. PCP helps groups work strategically and efficiently around the dreams and goals of the individual to develop natural support networks and work on consumer-managed service designs while supporting self-determination. Over several meetings, the group will define its specific purpose for planning, illustrate the full history of the child’s life (e.g., home, education, health, family), and bring in others with the “right” skills and relationships to help establish a vision, plan, and delineate realistic outcomes and action steps.

Beginning as an Occupational Therapist, Ann Dillon has been actively involved in supporting young children, their families and providers for the past 25 years. Although well versed in systems design and systems change, partnering with families and providers remains a strong interest and passion for Ann as she continues her career as a Project Coordinator at the Institute on Disability. Through the Institute, Ann is the parent liaison for the Center for Medical Home Improvement, a facilitator for the Center for Effective Behavioral Interventions and Supports Project, coordinator of the Jumpstart Project and a family specialist for the NEC Deafblind Project.

The Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire was established in 1987 to provide a coherent university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies, and practices related to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. Its mission is to advance policies and systems changes, promising practices, education, and research that strengthen communities to ensure full access, equal opportunities, and participation for all persons.

“Little Ones Have Big Dreams Too: A Guide for Facilitators” is a must for facilitators, parents of young children going through change and others interested in promoting person-centered planning for young children. For more information or to order a copy, please visit the Institute on Disability at www.iod.unh.edu or call (800) 378-0386.

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The IOD advances policies and systems changes, promising practices, education and research that strengthen communities and ensure full access, equal opportunities, and participation for all persons.