Person-Centered Planning

Person-Centered Planning is a collaborative planning practice which emphasizes self-determination and choice in helping individuals to achieve their unique vision of preferred life. It is rooted in the belief that all people have the right to live, love, work, learn, play, and pursue their dreams in the community of their choice. The individual has a primary role in person-centered planning and should be provided the opportunity to participate fully in this process.

Since the development of the previous PCP Manual in 2010, there has been a shift in the landscape of mental illness and what it means to be in “recovery.” In 2016 a NCDHHS Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (DMHDDSAS) workgroup was formed to begin modifying the PCP Manual and accompanying PCP Template to make it more recovery-oriented, individualized, and user-friendly.  A more user-friendly Guidance Document and Person-Centered Planning template was created to assist anyone responsible for developing person-centered plans. 
 

Person-Centered Planning Introductory Training 

To support providers in meeting the standards as set forth in the Guidance Document, a virtual training introducing the key principles and practices of PCP was developed. This training provides attendees with concrete guidance in both the process and documentation of Person-Centered Planning, including strategies for respecting strengths-based, person-centered principles while also satisfying expectations associated with clinical, accreditation, and fiscal regulations. It is appropriate for service providers, peer support specialists, individuals with experience of receiving services, family members, and leaders from recovery and advocacy communities.

The introductory PCP training was offered in a series of webinars in 2023 and then subsequently recorded and archived on the UNC Behavioral Health Springboard platform to ensure its ongoing availability. This course provides a foundational understanding of Person-Centered Planning (PCP) and meets the requirements for: 3 hours of PCP Instructional Elements training and 3 hours of Person-Centered Thinking training.

From Theory to Practice: Person-Centered Planning in NC, approved by the NCDHHS DMH/DD/SUS, aims to acquaint service providers with the essentials of crafting and implementing Person-Centered care plans that honor an individual's unique life vision. This training is housed on the UNC Behavioral Health Springboard’s website, and can be taken free of charge at any time. *Upon completion of this introductory PCP training, you will have access to a wide variety of additional PCP tools and resources that have been collected in an on-line PCP toolkit, also housed on the Springboard website.  
 

Official Person-Centered Planning Documents 

• NC PCP Guidance Document
• PCP Template
• PCP Template (Spanish)
• Crisis Plan Template (A crisis plan is a required component of the PCP)
• Crisis Plan Template (Spanish)
• PCP Training FAQs

Additional Person-Centered Planning Resources and Trainings 

The Person-Centered Planning Resource Toolkit was designed to streamline access to high-quality person-centered planning tools and resources to support the implementation of a wide variety of person-centered practices. To access this resource, you must complete the on-line introductory PCP training described above. The Toolkit features a curated library of articles, guides, videos, and best practices, selected by nationally recognized PCP experts. Additionally, archived webinar recordings and slide decks from past DMHDDSUS PCP training events are included and described below: