Individuals who are newly allocated to the Development Disabilities Waiver can choose to access Personal Plan Facilitation.  DDSD pays for the plan facilitation so the individual does not have to use their waiver budget to pay for it.  This is very good because the allocation process is often confusing and stressful.  Personal Plan Facilitation, during the allocation process, enables individuals and families to do some pre-planning before making important decisions including whether to choose the traditional Developmental Disabilities Waiver or Mi Via, New Mexico’s new self-directed waiver.  Personal Plan Facilitation gives the individual, their family and friends, the opportunity to envision the life the individual wants.  Later, this information will help them develop their waiver service plan.

Individuals currently receiving services on the Developmental Disabilities Waiver can purchase Personal Plan Facilitation through their ARA (annual resource allocation).  This can be done anytime, not just when planning for their team meeting.  It creates the opportunity to bring together the people the individual selects to explore how they want their life to go.  It does not have to involve the tradition team members.

Individuals who are using Mi Via, the self-directed waiver can also purchase Personal Plan Facilitation from The Arc.  This is a wonderful opportunity for the Mi Via participant to figure out how to creatively use their Mi Via resources to achieve community inclusion.

The Arc of New Mexico strongly believes that every individual with a developmental disability, regardless of the severity of the disability or availability of support, has the right to direct his/her own future.  We believe in the integrity, capacity and strength of individuals with developmental disabilities and families and trust that they know what they need.  Individuals/families are the focus of planning and are the final decision-makers about their lives and services or supports. 

Individuals/families have the right to choose a planning process and facilitator(s) that best meets their needs.  They also have the right to select and invite people that are important to them to participate in the planning meeting.  The plan belongs to the individual/family to help them identify and pursue their dreams and goals. 

Person centered planning has become a powerful way to help people with developmental disabilities and their families achieve their dreams.  The Arc of New Mexico has been facilitating PATHs for several years.  We see this process as an important advocacy strategy that empowers people to envision their future in new ways.  In addition to PATH, The Arc can also facilitate MAPS. 

For more information contact Randy Costales.