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Person-Centered Practices

Idaho continues to move toward a more person-centered and family-centered service system for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Council’s Work Plan clearly outlines the goal that by 2026, service systems will have increased their capacity to provide quality services so that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their family members have access to services that meet their needs and preferences. We seek to engage in several activities with Idahoans to reach this goal.

Current Council activities:

Providing training and outreach using the Charting the LifeCourse framework

The Council has been working with the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and LifeCourse Nexus over the last several years to create a group of certified LifeCourse Ambassadors.  This activity now offers training for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, family members, plan developers, and other planning specialists. Training opportunities are limited to attendees who are Idahoans or provide services in Idaho.

NEW TRAINING COMING SOON!

The Council is hosting a number of trainings in the Fall of 2024 and Spring of 2025.

  • Charting My LifeCourse Series – Individuals with Developmental Disabilities – October/November 2024

REGISTRATION CLOSED

  • Charting My Family’s LifeCourse Series – Family Members – October/November 2024

REGISTRATION CLOSED

  • Charting the LifeCourse Ambassador Series – Family Members (Spanish language) – Spring 2025

If you are interested in learning more about this intensive, person-centered planning training, please email info@icdd.idaho.gov

Supporting the growing Idaho Community of Practice on Person-Centered Planning

The Idaho Community of Practice (COP) on Person-Centered Planning began with a series of forums, surveys, and summits several years ago.  Planners, stakeholders, and others involved with person-centered planning have come together to help map out a system founded on people with disabilities and their families living the lives they choose. Idaho’s COP is also informed by the seventeen (17) recommendations made by Community NOW! recognized as Idaho’s vision for an improved person-centered system. 

Planner Roundtables

The Council hosts a monthly, virtual discussion – called Roundtables – on the Charting the LifeCourse framework, person-centered tools, and innovative strategies impacting planning in Idaho.  Planning can be challenging!  Our Roundtable discussions are designed to inspire and support planners; learn about new tools; and stay connected with other planners!

Family Roundtables

In collaboration with Idaho Parents Unlimited, we are thrilled to announce a three-part, virtual discussion!  This interactive conversation will help families approach service planning focused on strengths, family priorities, and personal preferences. 

Charting the life course family roundtable series header include logos for idaho parents unlimited and the idaho council on developmental disabilities

If you have questions about Council PCP activities, contact our lead staff:
Click to email – Jill Smith

Phone – 208 557-2634

Past Council Activities:

Creating Idaho Person-Centered Thinking (PCT) Trainers

Thank you to all who participated in this work that started in August 2020 and wrapped up in September 2024.  Here’s a quick snapshot of the project:

  • To find and create six (6) certified trainers, we hosted twelve (12) trainings.  Over two hundred (200) people attended those trainings.
  • In addition, Idaho trainers provided thirteen (13) additional trainings.  Almost two hundred and thirty (230) people attended those trainings.
  • If we add up all of those people, and the hours they spent learning about person-centered thinking, it totals over seven thousand, eight hundred hours (7800) of great training!

You can find more information about the PCT training curriculum, visit The Learning Community for Person Centered Practices website at: https://tlcpcp.com/our-work/pct/    If you want to learn more about hosting a training, the Council will remain a resource for information.  Check-in with the project lead if you have questions!

Lead Staff:
Jill Smith

“This work is supported by a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201 with 100% federal funding award totaling $527,570 (Federal Fiscal Year 2023 Grant No.: 2301IDSCDD-01). Council efforts are those of the grantee and do not necessarily represent the official views of not are endorsed by ACL, HHS, or the U.S. government.”

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