SIS & Person-Centered Planning

While not a replacement for person-centered planning, the SIS is extremely useful in collecting information useful in helping people with disabilities to live the lives they want. The information in the White Paper “Relating Supports Intensity Scale Information to Individual Services Plans” accurately reflects the practical application of the SIS to ISPs.

The planning sequence set forth by the authors of the SIS is one that organizations and state entities should strive to follow. I have learned that the conversation that naturally occurs while administering the assessment gives a wealth of information and should be noted. As stated by the authors of this paper the information obtained from the SIS can assist in filling in any gaps in a person-centered plan and help people think creatively about the alternatives that exist. In addition, the SIS opens the possibilities. Many of the items in the SIS include topics not always thought of by the person, family, or service providers, and many of the topics are not explicitly addressed in ISPs. Having a discussion through the assessment process can help a person think of the possibilities that exist along with the supports that would be needed for success.

The SIS combined with good person-centered plans, that are used, can help to expand the horizons for people with disabilities.

While I can see many benefits for the use of this scale, I confess to some concern. The complex spectrum of strengths and needs of people with cognitive disabilities calls out for a complex spectrum of supports and resources. For example, a person living in the community already, engaged in an intimate relationship, may also be a parent. Parenting is not included in the rating of the SIS. The supports of direct teaching of skills (such as parenting skills) and counselling are not included within the ratings of frequency and intensity. This leads to the question as to whether more categories will be added in the very near future. If the SIS is utilized for the purpose of funding (tied into 'funding tiers') then it becomes imperative that supports such as counselling (since a person may face a complex situation of living beneath the poverty level, having difficulty with income, and experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety and/or depression) and direct teaching of skills such as parenting be included. People who are functioning adaptively (or present as functioning well) may fall through the cracks . The SIS as it currently is written is indeed a good start, but the question arises as to whether it goes far enough to be utilized as a basis for funding and provision of resources. patc