RESOURCE PLANNING FAQs

WHAT IS RESOURCE PLANNING?

Resource Planning is the third step toward creating a comprehensive Special Needs Plan. Your Resource Plan should identify the types of organizations, services, and individuals in your area who can help your child make progress toward your vision for his or her great life. What this means is — your Resource Plan should analyze the current resources you’ve connected with, assess any gaps, and then connect you with additional resources that could help your child thrive.

BENEFITS OF SPECIAL NEEDS RESOURCE PLANNING:

The true benefit of creating a Resource Plan is that it will help you think outside of the box and connect with innovative therapies, in addition to essential resources, to ensure that your child is living his or her best possible life today, tomorrow, and every day in the future.

WHAT SHOULD MY RESOURCE PLAN ADDRESS?

Your Resource Plan should answer the question:

Which services, organizations, and individuals should we seek out now and in the future to make your vision of a great life for your child a reality?

Every individual is unique in their abilities and needs. Thus, no two Resource Plans should be exactly the same. Also, individuals’ abilities and needs change over time. Therefore, your Resource Plan should continue evolving as your child grows and develops.

• For some individuals, physical and occupational therapies may be most important resources to connect with immediately.
• Other individuals might benefit from engaging with organizations that offer job and social skills training programs.
• Still others may benefit most by participating in innovative therapies (e.g., art, music, aquatic, or horseback-riding therapy) to improve self-esteem and emotional expression.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I UPDATE MY RESOURCE PLAN?

We highly encourage families to update their loved one’s Resource Plan every year as key details are likely to change over time.

HOW DO I LEARN MORE ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS RESOURCE PLANNING?​
To learn more about Resource Planning, check out our blog post Resource Planning: Does Your Child have Access to All the Resources They Need to Thrive? How Would You Know?

HOW DOES THE ENABLE RESOURCE PLAN TOOL WORK?

Creating a Resource Plan with ENABLE requires little work on your part!

Instead, during this step of your planning journey, our team analyzes the information you provide us with during the Resource Assessment session, conducted in-person at our Indianapolis headquarters or via video conference call. Then we create a document for you providing recommendations about services, organizations, and individuals you should connect with to help your child learn, grow, and excel. If you’re open to introductions, we will also put you in direct contact with an organization(s) in your geographical area who can assist you with securing all of the services we recommend for your child.

The ENABLE Resource Plan tool is available at the ENABLE website. Learn more here: https://enablesnp.com/purchase-services/

Let’s Start Planning!
Ok! You’re ready to create a Resource Plan for your loved one with special needs. Just follow the steps below to start planning!

1. Review your child’s Vision Plan. What common themes emerge? Are there clear hopes, goals, and dreams that you and your child hope to move toward? What should a great life look like this year?
2. Consider the doctors, therapists, and service organizations you’re currently working with, as document in your child’s Life Plan. Are there any gaps in the services your child is currently receiving and the goals you’re pushing toward based on your Vision Plan?
3. Answer the following questions…                                                                               How have traditional and innovative therapies positively impacted your child’s life?
    What therapies/services have been most beneficial to your child?
    In what areas of your child’s life have they demonstrated exceptional levels of self-confidence?
    In what types of situations does your child feel most in his/her element?
    Right now – what abilities does your child need the most help developing (e.g., speech, motor skills, occupational skills, money skills, job skills/training, interpersonal skills)
    As your child’s abilities develop and change, what additional services could be beneficial?
4. Determine what types of organizations, services, and individuals would be most beneficial to connect with at this time to help your child make progress toward your vision for his or her great life and truly thrive. If you saw gaps between your goals and what you’re currently doing, make sure to reach out to the appropriate resources in your area to help fill those gaps.
5. Make any and all necessary connections with community organizations and resources who can help you and your child move forward toward achieving your hopes, goals, and dreams of a GREAT life. Reaching out to your state’s Family Voices organization may be a good starting point. Learn more by visiting: http://familyvoices.org/
6. Document where you are currently – include the individuals, organizations, and services you’re currently connected with – and then describe the additional resources you plan to reach out to that will help you and your child make progress toward future goals.
7. Review and revise your child’s Resource Plan every year as details change so that your child can continue making progress.

To help make sure you’ve thought through everything, we’ve created a BONUS Resource Plan checklist for you to use. Download this guide by clicking the yellow "Send me my FREE copy!" button below to receive access to the checklist now.