7: Person-Centered Spending Plans
- Page ID
- 45351
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\(\newcommand{\longvect}{\overrightarrow}\)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- How to connect the person-centered plan goals to the participant’s spending plan
- What the required elements are in a spending plan
Guide participants through the spending plan process
As you create a spending plan, make sure you explain how the spending connects to the person-centered plan. Much like in an IEP, each staff person, activity, and purchase in the spending plan should refer to a goal in the PCP. If there is not a direct connection between the goal and the proposed spending, it should not be there.
Verify spending is connected to PCP goals
Much like people in school have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), people served by California’s regional center system have an Individualized Program Plan, widely referred to as an IPP. The IPP should reflect the needs and wants of the person served. If the IPP does not reflect a person’s needs and wants effectively, the participant can ask the service coordinator to improve the plan to make it more accurate and reflect the individual’s real life.
If you have discussed a need with your regional center and the need is still not represented in the IPP, do not sign the document. Allow the regional center to correct the error before the document is signed.
The regional center should supply a notice of action if they cannot or will not provide the needed service. After a request for a service, the regional center has fifteen days to either approve or deny the service. The denial is accompanied by a notice of action (NOA) which can be used to either go to mediation or to a fair hearing to make your argument with someone who can change the decision.
Mediation and fair hearing are not to be feared. They exist to resolve disputes. Use these tools to support positive resolution. When you prepare to attend mediation and/or fair hearing, make sure to address the arguments the regional center is using to deny the service. If you cannot locate counterarguments to the regional center’s argument for the denial, it will be very difficult to end with a favorable resolution. However, if you can find support for your argument in statute or the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services Regulations, you will have a response based on the system’s guidelines. Arguments cannot only be emotional. They must be based on the law. If the request does not fit within the guidelines of the Self Determination Program, it will not be approved.
If a client is making a request that you know does not meet the requirements set forth in the law, you should let them know that the request is not something that can be approved within this funding source. Consider helping them explore nonprofits organizations or local resources that can help provide this type of resource.
Suggested language to communicate appropriate boundaries with clients
“I understand what you are saying; however, Self Determination Program funding cannot be used in this way. If you would like to pursue this (service/purchase/support), I will not be able to help you.”
“This sounds important to you. Unfortunately, regulations set by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services do not allow federal funding to be used in this way. Perhaps there is a nonprofit in the community that helps purchase ___________.”
Create a reasonable and respectful response to help someone understand that there are limits in the Self Determination Program.
Consider how you will help manage participants’ and families’ expectations of how the Self Determination Program works and does not work. What are things you wish you had known before starting on your work in SDP?
Individual Program Plans contain vital information
An individual’s authorized services and supports are reflected in the IPP. This is a legal document that is required by the Lanterman Act.
Many people served by the regional centers and their circle of support fail to realize the importance of the IPP. If an IPP is accurate and contains all needs, this can make the budget authorization process in the Self Determination Program process easier. Each regional center has its own procedures for this, of course, but an inaccurate or vague IPP can be problematic for budget creation.
If the IPP does not reflect a person’s reality, the budget creation process can be very difficult. It seems this is where many struggles between the regional center and the SDP participant begin. One way to reduce conflict in this area is to make sure the IPP is accurate, up to date, and includes what life currently looks like for the individual served by the regional center.
The person-centered plan should be the place where all of a person’s strengths and passions are shared, and it can also focus on how the individual would like to be spending their time. Some people want to be working. Others volunteer. Still others want to participate in activities in the community. Once this is known, the regional center should offer a service that meets the individual’s need. When the service is provided in the traditional system, the individual will participate in the service provided by a vendor of the regional center. However, in the Self Determination Program, the funds that are approved for the traditional service can be used creatively to meet the needs in many different ways. Those different ways of using the funds are the line items of the spending plan.
Example: Writing employment into a spending plan
To show you how the spending plan would address an employment goal, there are various supports an individual might need. Here is a sample goal:
Sample Employment Goal
Kelly will work at a job she chooses with the support she needs to succeed.
In the case of working at a great job, an individual might need someone to support them. This is referred to as a “job coach” in the traditional system. However in SDP, participants can write the job description creatively, hire someone specific to work with as a job coaching support provider, or even hire a support provider for different hours than the traditional system allows. This is one area of creativity in SDP.
To work at a job, Kelly, the person with the goal above, might need support in some of the following areas:
- Career coach: person to support Kelly find a job, write a resume, develop career and professional skills
- Transportation: Kelly rides a bike, but her job is far from the bike path. She needs help to learn how to mount her bike on the public bus’s bike rack.
- Schedule: Kelly uses a paper calendar well, but her employer uses an app to schedule her shifts. She wants to be at work on time, and she wants to use the same technology as her workmates.
The spending plan can include a career coach, a transportation coach, and a technology coach so that Kelly can succeed at attaining and maintaining her desired job.
When an individual has a goal of being active and included in their community, it is important to remember that answering questions about that activity will help shape the spending plan.
Test yourself.
- What do spending plans need to include?
- Why do spending plans need to be person-centered?
- Where do the goals come from? Why are they important?