Once you have OPWDD and Medicaid you can enroll in a Care Coordination Organization (CCO). The CCO will assign you a care manager. You and your care manager work together to figure out what services and supports may best meet your needs. This is called service planning.
Service planning is person-centered.
Person-centered is the idea that the person receiving services must be the focus. Person-centered planning means that you and your care manager work together to explore your strengths, needs, preferences and goals.
Life Plan
A Life Plan is a document you create during person-centered service planning. This document has information about you, your life, your health and relationships. It also has information about your goals, and what services and supports you need to achieve these goals. You work with your “Circle of Support” which are the important people in your life and your care manager to complete this plan.
It is important that you update your Life Plan after any changes and major life events. Changes to your health and safety may also require a change in services. Therefore, always communicate with your Care Manager so that she can amend the Life Plan in a way that reflects your current needs.
Here’s an example:
Tommy is living with his parents. Tommy is 23 years old. Six months ago at an annual Life Plan meeting he told his care manager that he liked living with his parents and was too anxious to live on his own or with roommates. However, he has since gotten a job which has improved his confidence. Tommy now wants to move out of his parents house and live more independently. Tommy, his care manager, and his parents can work together to create a new Life Plan to help Tommy achieve this goal.
