I’m constantly amazed by how many things nobody ever thought the people we support could do. CLO doesn’t limit the people we support or force them to keep their thinking in a box.
—Tenille, who supports several people
What We Do: CLO Services
Person Centered Planning
Prior to the 1980s, traditional methods of planning for service provision
excluded the individual receiving the service. Service plans were developed
by family members and professionals such as doctors, support workers, and
social workers, around but not including the individual. John O’Brien
inspired a group of thinkers including Beth Mount, Connie Lyle O’Brien,
Jack Pearpoint, Marsha Forest, and Michael Smull, who developed Person Centered
Planning (PCP).
Person Centered Planning places the individual at the center of decision-making
regarding his/her service provision, enabling people to direct their own services
and supports, rather than attempting to fit them within pre-existing service
systems. Commonly used methods to develop a person centered plan include PATH
(Planning
Alternative Tomorrows with Hope pdf), MAPS (Making Action Plans), PFP (Personal Futures Planning), and ELP (Essential Lifestyles Planning).
CEO Joan Schmidt has extensive experience and training in
PCP. CLO staff members Michelle Tongren and Shelby McGee also have advanced
training in Person Centered Planning. By arrangement, they can provide PCP
to help both individuals and organizations plot paths to attain their goals.
In addition, they can “train the trainers” in using PCP methods.
Consulting
Joan has many years of experience mentoring, training,
and consulting with individuals and a variety of organizations on:
• Special education best practices
• Becoming a single-household vendor for Supported Living Services (SLS)
• Starting a Supported Living agency or Supported Living Services (SLS)
within
an existing agency
• Creating policy to serve individuals with disabilities
• Facilitating futures planning for individuals or agencies
• Technical assistance for individuals, families or agencies involved
with SLS
Those who can benefit from Joan’s experience through consulting
services include:
• Individuals experiencing disabilities
• Families
• Supported Living agencies
• Teachers
• Social service professionals
• Lawmakers
• Philanthropic foundations
• Government agencies
Event Planning
Joan Schmidt has spent much of her professional life planning events,
from small meetings and gatherings to conventions with participants numbering
in the thousands. By arrangement, she is available to creatively plan and
seamlessly execute events with attention to functionality, comfort and enjoyment
of attendees and presenters, and budget specifications.
