Person-Centered Planning – creating a better future for persons with disabilities
The Republic of Croatia has started with the development of the social welfare system focused on persons by ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Such a system is based on the principles of respecting human rights, freedom of choice and accessibility of social services, individualization and person’s involvement in the community.

Person-centered approach is the best approach for developing of social inclusion of people with disabilities, based on the social model of disability, human rights and universal design.

It is about a group of methods and techniques developed for the purpose of empowering people with disabilities for a self-determined life in the community. It was developed as part of a larger movement for the promotion of self-determination, self-advocacy and deinstitutionalization.

The aim of person-centered planning is to determine the individual interests and needs of each person and to determine what kind of support is needed and from whom in order to achieve the set objectives within time that people want. The person is active and key participant in the creation of their support plan and included into the development, implementation and later in their evaluation plan to the fullest extent possible.

Apart from the theoretical framework and good ideas, person-centered planning provides a way how can the principles of normalization and social inclusion be implemented in practice. Although person-centered planning was primarily focused on people with disabilities, today it can be applied in working with all groups and organizations in the development of their strategic plans.

This professional development training will create possibilities for people with disabilities, their families, service providers and politically responsible persons explaining the person-centered approach and provide the training about the usage of visual planning tools (MAP and PATH).

Duration: two modules (75 hours of lectures and 93 hours of consultations, and supervision)

Target group: educational rehabilitators, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists – professionals in direct support, policy makers, parents and family members.

All participants are provided with the Person Centered Planning handbook.

Price: HRK 7,000.00 (for a minimum of 15 participants)
Active support and Person-Centered Approach
Person-centred active support is a technique used to involve people with intellectual disabilities in activities of everyday life. It represents a series of procedures and guidelines for working with people regardless of the degree, type of difficulty or the existence of additional difficulties.

Training enables the acquisition of knowledge on the application of technique in otder to enable people with disabilities to successfully participate in meaningful activities and relationships, helping them to become independent and involved and enable them to take control of their lives.

The meaning of person-centered active support is that, with adequate support, people can take advantage of every opportunity to participate in activities and relationships at home or in the community, in the workplace or in leisure activities

Duration: 2 days

Target group: direct support staff (assistants), educational rehabilitators, psychologists, social workers, managers of institutions, occupational therapists, parents and family members

All participants are provided with the Active Support handbook.

Price: on request, depends on the number of participants.
Communication
“It is impossible not to communicate in the situation when two people see each other. Activity or inactivity, words or silence all have message value” Paul Watzlawick

A large number of definitions on communication speaks about the complexity of this process, which is crucial for the creation of relationships. Good communication is the foundation of successful interpersonal relationships. Research shows that, although the interpersonal communication is one of man’s greatest achievements, the average person does not communicate well. Poor communication leads to loneliness and alienation from friends, partners, parents and children, as well as to poor success in business. Repeated and frequent use of inappropriate communication can cause permanent disruption of interpersonal relationships.

Duration: 2 days

Target group: direct support staff (assistants), educational rehabilitators, psychologists, social workers, managers of institutions, occupational therapists, parents and family members.

All students are provided with the Communication handbook.

Price: on request, depends on the number of participants.
Challenging behavior (Gentle teaching)
The traditional approach to persons with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviors can be described as “control and correct/fix”. In practice this means that the professionals take control of such behavior using all accessible means from the physical and chemical restraints (eg. drugs) to reward and punishment using the so-called conditional desirable behavior.

Everyday practice shows that this approach is not effective and puts the person in the position of the object. Persons with intellectual disabilities who are subjected to this approach and techniques are never happy and their experiences are painful and humiliating. As soon as there is no control (external pressure) behaviors return to the old familiar patterns. This leads to increased efforts in order to establish greater control, often using drastic and sometimes dangerous methods.

This professional development training provides an opportunity to change the traditional approach by increasing your competences to work with persons with challenging behaviors regardless of whether they are part of your professional or personal life.

Duration: 1 day

Target group: direct support staff (personal assistants, job assistants/coaches), educational rehabilitators, psychologists, social workers, managers of institutions, occupational therapists, parents and family members

All students are provided with educational material developed according to the curriculum.

Price: on request, depends on the number of participants.
Supported Employment

Supported employment is recognized as the best method of support for people who need it for work and employment in the open labour market.


Supported employment is the paid work of people with disabilities. The goal is to find and adapt meaningful jobs in the community and make sure that people get appropriate education and support in the workplace.


Supported employment advocates the right to work, respecting human dignity and gives the possibility of social and economic inclusion in the community. It is a model of partnership which, besides the person and members of the supported employment team, includes employers, families, guardians and other community services that may be important for the person.


This professional development training enables the acquisition of new skills and knowledge in order to enable people with disabilities to successfully participate in the open labour market.


Number of participants: min. 15

Price: on request, depends on the number of participants.

Duration: 2 days

Methodology: presentations, group work, audio-visual materials

Psychological Needs

By definition, needs are energizing states which, if satisfied, lead to health and well-being. Unsatisfied needs lead to pathology and

lack of well-being.


The effect of satisfying the psychological needs on everyday satisfaction is explained through the self-determination theory that a person satisfies different needs through choices. Even though needs and activities are different, it is assumed that gaining experience of competence, autonomy and connection improves the feeling of well-being. The self-determination theory assumes that satisfying basic psychological needs will result with greater subjective well-being, as well as its important component – life satisfaction.


This program provides participants insight in their own psychological needs and ways of satisfying them. Through personal experience you learn about the importance of recognizing and satisfying the needs of people you support.


Number of participants: min. 15

Price: on request, depends on the number of participants.

Duration: 1 day

Methodology: presentations, workshops through personal experience, discussion

Sexuality

People with disabilities are sexual and express their sexuality in ways that are as diverse as everyone else. The belief that people with disabilities are not sexual could stem from the idea that they are considered a child or child-like and therefore are excluded from having sexual health rights. All people need affection, love and intimacy, acceptance, and companionship. Accurate and developmentally appropriate sexual health education, which acknowledges and affirms all people’s sexuality, is necessary for a person to learn about self, relationship safety, and responsibility.


Number of participants: min. 15

Price: on request, depends on the number of participants.

Duration: 1 day

Methodology: presentations, group discussion, video materials

Mental health crisis and crisis planning

Crisis represents a problematic, crucial point connected to the need of making a decision. Situations including psychic crisis can be a consequence of intensive feelings and stress (eg. anxiety, depression, anger,panic, hopelessness), noticeable changes in functioning (eg. neglect of personal hygiene, curious behaviors) or catastrophic life evens (break ups,loss of support or housing, loss of autonomy or parental rights, being victim of violence or natural disasters). This education provides you the insight into ten key values of adequate crisis response, regardless the type (origin) of the crisis, the situation in which support is needed or the person providing support.

Also, taking responsibility and control of your life means to elaborate a clear crisis plan in the period when the person feels good and gives instructions on how to take care of her/him in the moments when she/he does not feel well. The crisis plan is different from all other plans because it will be used by other people. That is the reason why it needs to be clear, understandable and unambiguous.


Number of participants: min. 15

Price: on request, depends on the number of participants.

Duration: 2 days

Methodology: presentations, group discussion, video materials

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