Getting started

The team responsible for planning a student’s program will determine the need for conducting a future plan. This may come in response to a recommendation from any member of the team. Once a decision is made to conduct a person centered planning session for an individual the first step is to determine who should facilitate the process. The facilitator will then work with the team to determine who should be invited to attend.

In order for a mapping session to create a rich vision for the child, a wide variety of people should be involved in the process. A mapping session is much like creating a work of art and the more textures and hues included the more vivid and wider appeal of the finished product. The people gathered together to participate in the process are sometimes referred to as stakeholders. A stakeholder is anyone who has a stake in the child’s future or current environments. The people who will be responsible for or are a part of the child’s life for a significant period need to be viewed as the most critical participants. The family is key to the success of a mapping session. Their availability and personal needs have to be taken into consideration when scheduling a session.

Often times the practice in school districts is that the teacher is the key person in developing the plan for the student with parents having a chance to react and give input. Mapping is one way to have the responsibility for the child’s plan become a true team process. As many people as possible who are part of the child’s family, education, and community need to be included in the process. The building administrator is often instrumental in allocating resources and therefore it is helpful to have him/her engaged in the process. Most people are much more willing to implement and support that which they are part of creating rather than asking them to buy into what is delivered to them.

A descriptive invitation is sent out to help familiarize participants with the process. The process is designed to be welcoming, hospitable, and respectful to facilitate the creation of a rich and dynamic product.