National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS)

Opportunity

The National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS) was a national technical assistance center funded by the Administration for Community Living and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. HSRI served as the Center’s administrator, coordinating and providing assistance to help states, Tribes, and territories implement person-centered practices. Our project partners included:

• National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA)
• National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD)
• National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS)
• National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD)
• National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD)
• National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD)

Approach

Promoting systems change

In the past 30 years, systems for people with disabilities and older adults with long-term service and support needs have generally shifted to embrace person-centered principles, premised on the belief that people should have the authority to define and pursue their own vision of a good life. Yet, the degree to which systems have fully adopted person-centered practices varies, and many continue to grapple with how to effectively implement these practices.

The goal of NCAPPS was to promote systems change so that person-centered principles aren’t just an aspiration but a reality in the lives of people who require long-term services and supports. 

Providing technical assistance, building learning communities

People with lived experience helped to guide all NCAPPS activities. A leadership and advisory group composed of national experts with lived experience receiving long-term services and supports oversaw and contributed to all aspects of the Center.

Along with HSRI staff members, a diverse team of national association leaders and subject matter experts was called upon to:

• Provide in-depth, practical technical assistance to states, tribes, and territories
• Establish communities of practice to promote broad-based learning and sharing of best practices
• Hold educational webinars that will be open to the public
• Develop a national clearinghouse of actionable, up-to-date resources

Impact

Person-centered approaches make sure that a person with a disability is listened to and placed at the center of decisions, supporting them to maintain a life that’s meaningful to them.  

NCAPPS helped states, Tribes, and territories to transform their service and support systems to implement U.S. Department of Health and Human Services policy on person-centered thinking, planning, and practices, regardless of funding source.