How does the PLAN concept translate into practice? Read on! (Names have been changed to protect confidentiality)

• Miriam is a 40 year old woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder who recently moved into her own apartment after living at home since the onset of her illness 15 years ago. In addition to the challenges involved in managing a place of her own, she lost her part time job when the business closed and faced not only unemployment, but a life without the safety net of Social Security benefits. PLAN helped her file for unemployment, supported her as she searched for a new job, and advocated for her at the Social Security office (which resulted in a negation of the back pay she owed there and reinstatement of her monthly benefit payments and Medicare). Miriam now calls PLAN whenever she needs help with the laborious bureaucracy of negotiating the benefits and mental health systems, but also calls with questions about things like renter's insurance, medical care, pet care, and painting classes. PLAN personnel see her every other week whether something's problematic for her or not to ensure continued good rapport with her. Miriam's long term plan is centered around her wishes and desires for the future, which include continued recovery, good health, and a peaceful life, and includes the provision that PLAN assist her with her goals when her parents no longer can. The trust her family has in place for her future will ensure that funds underwrite an enhanced quality of life in the future that includes money for things like yoga, painting, and wellness classes, vacations, and exercise equipment.

• Jenna's parents are in their late sixties and have just arranged the ideal residential placement for their daughter, who has mental retardation and severe behavior problems. A long time resident of institutional environments, Jenna's behavior and attitude improved dramatically when she moved to a supported living apartment of her own, with stable 24 hour staff. Jenna's parents worked long and hard to advocate for such an arrangement for Jenna and want to ensure that someone advocates for a continuation of such in the future. They turned to PLAN to advocate for her continued high quality residential care in the future: Jenna's plan dictates that PLAN staff monitor the quality of her direct care staff, supported living provider, and home environment long term. In addition, Jenna's parents are adamant about some things related to annual residential and vocational goals. For example, although the issue of bus training comes up in annual meetings every year, Jenna's parents are sure this is a bad idea for her. They've explained they can see Jenna doing well in training but when left to her own devices afterward, being very unsafe on the bus. PLAN staff can make sure, through Jenna's Long Term Plan, that this issue, and others like it, is not forgotten in meetings if her parents are absent.

• Lance sustained a brain injury six years ago and his life changed dramatically. Although his cognitive abilities remain intact, his lack of focus and energy following the brain injury has made it impossible for him to manage his life on his own. Most of his family live in town, but have their own lives, problems, and issues and above all, Lance does not want to be a burden to them. Lance contacted and contracted with PLAN as his own representative recently, and completed a Long Term Plan of Care that requires PLAN to arrange for his medical appointments, speak with his attorneys on his behalf, coordinate his rehabilitative care, accompany him to support meetings, monitor his direct care staff, and manage his medication refills with the pharmacy. After speaking with Lance and his family, doctor, and rehabilitation team, PLAN staff completed an analysis of the housing options available to him, including living with family, moving to an assisted care facility or group home, renting an accessible apartment, or purchasing a home or condominium. The analysis included the pros and cons of each option, taking into account Lance's goals, his financial situation, his abilities, and needs. Together, they were able to make an informed choice about his housing. PLAN helped Lance protect his long term benefit interests by helping him secure his accident settlement money in an appropriate trust, and informed his family of ways they could leave assets to him without jeopardizing his benefits as well. Lance functions as independently as possible at this point and wants it to continue this way for him in the future. With PLAN's help, his hopes of increasing his independence in the future are a real possibility.

• Jason just turned 50 and has been refusing medication prescribed for his paranoid schizophrenia for about 20 of those years. He lives an isolated existence in his own apartment and sees his mother (aged 82) every other weekend for a few hours. He has no friends, shuns contact with public mental health case workers in his area, and gets into trouble in the community when he misunderstands others' intentions toward him. Because Jason's mother was not sure he'd ever accept PLAN involvement in his life, PLAN personnel constructed a series of short term plans designed to build rapport with him and assess the feasibility of PLAN's long term involvement with him. At this point, things are looking good for the relationship: Jason routinely calls and visits with PLAN staff, has accepted their offer of help to communicate with his landlord, his doctors, and his housing representative, and has even agreed to work with a psychiatrist on medication issues. Recently, Jason initiated a request for PLAN assistance on his own (a huge step forward for a man so distrusting) - he called to see if PLAN staff could accompany him to the phone company to dispute charges on his bill. Jason's mother was thrilled to discover there WAS someone her son could count on in the future, an entity he was willing to work with especially given her failing health. Jason's mother recently completed a Long Term Plan for him that relates to seeing he stays in contact with someone who can monitor his health and housing placement, encourage his taking medication, and overseeing his budget. Jason has his own ideas about the relationship, however, as he now counts on PLAN staff to play tennis with him and eat out occasionally.

Quotes from PLAN Satisfaction Surveys

What sort of impact does PLAN have on families? Read for yourselves!

"My son is responding to the interaction between the PLAN personnel and himself. The aim I had when I engaged the services of PLAN was to see some glimmer of personality and warmth manifest itself in his demeanor. This is happening." (family member)

"I like that they listen to me and they are very understanding" (beneficiary)

"We like the fact that there is a friendly relationship with our family member and the primary and secondary PLAN contacts. They have taken he time to get to know our family member. Their suggestion are based on the needs and desires of our family member - not just "by the book" case study type responses. The guidance and support we received during the process of our family member's qualification for MRDD services was invaluable. The opportunities for various recreation actives contributes to our family member's quality of life." (family member)

"We are very grateful for all of the help received through our connection with PLAN!" (family member)

"Seems to be a very good personality match. My family member feels very comfortable with PLAN personnel. Our family member is moving ahead - apartment hunting, checking in job possibilities, etc. The burden is off me and this is good for both me and my family member." (family member)

"You're doing great - keep it up" (family member)

"My family member is more outgoing" (family member)

"When our son faces a new problem, he feels like he can confide in them. When we are out of town, he has them" (family member)

"PLAN has given me confidence in meeting and interacting with people rec program activities. They have helped me understand things." (beneficiary)

"The contact between agencies has been better with PLAN's involvement. Action has resulted faster due to PLAN's intervention" (family member)

"We feel that our family member has become familiar with the PLAN staff (and they with him) so if something were to change with regard to the parental connection (like death), he would readily accept the parental surrogacy PLAN would offer" (family member)

"PLAN gives families and consumers hope for the future" (family member)

"A lot of my services have been cut and with PLAN's availability and support and activities, it helps fill the gap" (beneficiary)

"With the slate of problems and handicaps possessed by each son, each has seemed to fall through the cracks. There are agencies out there, but we have fought a fight which mostly has resulted in closed doors. Needless to say, we are realistic parents who aren't looking for miracles, but this is the first time we have felt a sense of hope" (family member)

"We are grateful for PLAN and feel supported and hopeful because of PLAN" (family member)

"I like having a consistent guidance and positive role models to help me be an more independent person" (beneficiary)

"The thing I like best about PLAN's involvement with me is friendship" (beneficiary)

"I like PLAN pretty much" (beneficiary)

"PLAN staff have been coming to my casemanager appointments with me. It helps because I wouldn't understand half the stuff my case manager is saying about moving into an apartment. She also has come to my psychiatrist's office two times when I needed encouragement" (beneficiary)

"I like meeting other clients through group activities and getting to know new people" (beneficiary)

"They have encouraged me to get out and make more social contacts" (beneficiary)

"The PLAN staff have always been there when I needed to talk about a problem. Both of them are very good listeners and have helped me very much" (beneficiary)

"I like working with the PLAN staff. They have helped me make the transition into my new apartment go smoothly by helping me make a cleaning schedule. They also gave me tips on how to use my cleaning supplies as well as how to help keep the apartment neat" (beneficiary)

"PLAN has really helped me and improved my quality of life in the last year" (beneficiary)

"PLAN has wisely proceeded at a pace of involvement with my family member that has been more promising than I envisioned. My family member trusts no one instinctively and PLAN has factored this into their approach and has gained his attention" (family member)

"PLAN is responsive not only to my family members needs, but also to mine. PLAN staff listen carefully to my concerns and observations and are astute in their recommendations. I particularly appreciate their reporting of progress and perceptions after they meet with my family member" (family member)