Person-Centered Thinking and Planning

SEEC embraces Person-Centered Thinking and Planning as best practices to help men and women achieve their personal goals for an enriching life. Rather than a "one size fits all" program, Person-Centered Thinking and Planning sees each individual as the focal point on which customized opportunities for employment, education, recreation, and social activities are created. All supports are delivered in the community and reflect each person’s strengths, needs, interests and desires.

SEEC's customized, community-based supports help men and women achieve their person goals for employment, recreation, education, and friendship alongside their non-disabled peers. As active, involved members of the community, people with developmental disabilities see themselves in a new light - as achievers, coworkers, and friends. Their assimilation in all aspects of community life contributes to the diversity of our society, evokes a sense of commonality, and helps change negative public perception of people with disabilities:

Customized Employment

Person-Centered Thinking and Planning, is an integral part of Customized Employment, an initiative endorsed as a "best practice" by the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Practices. This method of supported employment uses many strategies to help people with significant disabilities live productive and fulfilling lives with their nondisabled peers. In this methodology each person is "presumed competent" in directing their lives and making a contribution to society.

Through discovery, staff learn all they can about a person and what makes him or her "tick." Discovery involves on-going dialogue with the individual and people significant in his or her life, coupled with staff observations, and interactions with the person in familiar and novel community experiences. It is also used to identify employment, recreational, and educational opportunities in each person’s local community which match his or her interests and skills. Findings of the discovery process are used to develop a Person-Centered Plan of individualized goals for employment and other day supports. The Person-Centered Plan builds upon a person’s interests and career goals and matches them to the resources and economic needs of their local community. The Plan outlines needed supports to facilitate each individual’s full participation in their jobs, leisure activities, educational pursuits, and relationships.

The end result is a "win-win" for the individual and the community. The individual enjoys a sense of belonging, worth, and greater self-esteem. The community benefits from increased diversity, and an expanded workforce that meets the unique needs of local businesses.