Planned Lifetime Networks |
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What We Do The central purpose of PLN is to create and sustain a personal network for the lifetime of an individual with a disability (the focus person). A network is a group of committed people in a friendship relationship with the focus person and each other. PLN hires Community Connectors from the family’s local community to develop the network. To support this process, PLN assists families through future planning, workshops, and peer support. What is a personal network? Most of us have people we turn to for fun, conversation, comfort and companionship. These are the friends and relatives who advise and encourage us. It is often difficult for people living with disability to develop and sustain these types of essential relationships due to disability, lack of opportunity, or society’s perception. This leaves the person isolated and vulnerable. PLN nurtures the development of a network of people committed to the focus person and connected to each other. The people involved in the network are not paid to be there nor are they volunteers or charity relationships. Rather their involvement is based on caring, friendship and commitment to work together with and on behalf of the focus person. Who can become a member of a network? Personal networks can include siblings, other family members, friends, neighbours, church, leisure, recreation or interest group members, and former service providers. Just about anyone who genuinely cares about the focus person. Some people in the network may be there for life while others may only be for a while or only for specific interests, just as it is in our own lives. How do you create networks? We hire Community Connectors from the family’s local community. We match them with a family based on their values, interests, compatibility with the focus person and their connections to the community. They get to know the focus person, family and their plans for the future. Then the Connector finds out who may already be in relationship with the focus person. Family, extended family, neighbours and people who have something in common may be invited to become part of the network. They will look for people who enjoy spending time with the focus person and are interested in helping them realize their goals and overcome challenges. We do not have a group of volunteers, but rely on the power of shared relationships. The basic task of the Community Connector is to bring together a group of 3 to 5 people who are interested in contributing to a good quality of life now for the focus person and ensure a safe and secure future. The Connector invites them to come together in meetings to celebrate the focus person and consider how to best support them. The Connector nurtures the developing network by keeping in regular contact and getting commitments to action. Planned Lifetime Networks is responsible for finding Community Connectors. We provide training, mentoring and supervision. The Connector works on contract for PLN. We handle all the paperwork for the running of the network, invoicing the families, and paying of the Connector. Who are the Community Connectors? Community Connectors are people hired from the community who share the vision of Planned Lifetime Networks and the family. They see the gifts and contributions that every person has to offer and are enthusiastic to invite others to share them. They are chosen because of their knowledge and connections to their community. Community Connectors can be from any walk of life but all have the gift of hospitality. How long does it take to create and maintain a network? The first step of network formation is the exploration phase. This takes about 10 hours over a 6 to 8 month period. The Connector gets to know the focus person and the family. They explore the gifts, interests, current activities and relationships of the focus person and the future plans and dreams. Most of the time is spent in individual meetings. It is also a time when the family and Connector can assess their long term compatibility and PLN’s ability to meet the family’s needs. The second step is the development phase. This may take about 30 hours over a 2 year period. The goal is to recruit network members and introduce them to each other. Potential network members are contacted and invited by the Connector to the first network meeting. Regular network meetings and celebrations are scheduled and more members are recruited when necessary. During this time the commitment and strength of the network will be assessed and long term members identified. The third step is the maintenance phase which is ongoing for the life of the focus person. Two to three hours of connector time per month are generally required. Maintenance activities include regular planned contact between the connector, the focus person, the family and the members of the network. This includes continued network meetings and celebrations as well as getting together individually with the focus person. PLN ensures the personal network meets regularly and has sufficient membership to fulfill the goals. Each network is as unique as the people in it. The time required to create and maintain a network will vary widely depending on many factors such as:
This process pioneered by Planned Lifetime Advocacy Networks of Vancouver, British Columbia, has several features that distinguish it from many others that try to reduce the isolation that individuals with disabilities often experience. The first is the continuation of the network is ensured by the ongoing support of a paid Community Connector hired from the community by Planned Lifetime Networks for the lifetime of the focus person.The second distinctive feature is the strength, longevity and flexibility of the network is maintained by the relationships that are created between the members of the network as well as between each member and the focus person. The network’s activities, undertakings, and gatherings all provide opportunities for the members to get to know each other. The fact that we are not connected to government or other transfer payment organizations means that we can maintain our values and aims without risk of being eliminated by the changes of philosophy or priorities that inevitably seem to happen. We are committed and accountable to the families that pay for the development of a network for their relative. What are the limitations of personal networks?
First there is the opportunity to share the wealth of knowledge that the family has about the focus person with other interested people. It enables Planned Lifetime Networks to have the detailed information and experience that is needed to assist the network once the parents are gone. The family gets to see their relative flourish both socially and emotionally and have peace of mind in knowing that others will be there for their loved one. How does PLN assist families? Most importantly, PLN helps families plan for the future. We do this by offering a Future Planning Consultation to families applying for Lifetime membership. Other ways we help parents:
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