One of the primary functions of the California Department of Developmental Services (“DDS”) is to provide personalized care for individuals with developmental disabilities. In fact, the right to individualized care, tailored to the unique needs of each individual, is enshrined in the Lanterman Act.
To achieve the objective of individualized care, everyone receiving services through DDS creates an Individual Program Plan (“IPP”). In essence, the IPP is each individual’s map of the care, services, and providers that will deliver services. Because the IPP maps out the precise services each person needs, as well as the providers who will deliver care, it is vital to put together an effective IPP.
Goal-Setting is the Key to an Effective IPP
Fundamentally, an effective IPP must be built around specific goals. The following guidelines will help you use goal-setting to construct a robust IPP:
- Interests and Desires. Before setting goals, think carefully about what matters most to the individual. Do they value relationships, routines, pursuing life dreams, or some other interest? These will help you begin to formulate clear goals for the IPP.
- Consider Medical Needs. Additionally, consider the individual’s medical needs, as this could require ongoing care or specific living arrangements.
- Community and Family. For many, remaining actively engaged with family and community is a primary objective. Additionally, being actively involved in family and community has powerful therapeutic benefits. Think about how these types of connections will fit into the IPP.
- Set SMART Goals. In general, the best goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. How will you measure progress on each individual goal?
- Link Specific Goals to Specific Services. Link each goal to concrete services. This should also include researching specific care providers.
- Collaborate with Your Regional Center. When you’re ready to build your IPP, contact your regional center. They will help you complete your IPP. Once the IPP is built, this becomes the means through which you access services and providers.
- Monitor, document, revise. IPPs are living documents. As such, you have the right to adjust them at any time to better suit your needs. Be sure to measure outcomes regularly, document data, and track how well you’re progressing on your goals. As needed, meet with your care team to make changes and adjustments to your IPP.
Roadmap to Individualized Care
Good IPP goal-setting centers the person, uses clear measures, assigns responsibility, and plans for ongoing refinement. Building an IPP out of clearly defined goals is a powerful way of targeting and securing the precise care you and your loved ones need.