In the Kentucky Supports for Community Living (SCL) Waiver, a Person-Centered coach is defined as an individual who, under the direction of a Positive Behavior Support Specialist, provides individualized support to a participant when a barrier is challenging the participants ability to reach their goals. The Person Centered Coach is a dynamic position that exemplifies the belief that the support every individual needs is unique to their circumstance. Through modeling positive behaviors, training, and data-collection, PCCs make a meaningful difference in the lives of unique individuals.
ABA-LLC is proud to have contributed to the development of the PCC position within SCL Regs. Our clinicians and clients alike have greatly benefited from the implementation of PCCs!
PCCs are unique to the Supports for Community Living (SCL) waiver. They are not available under similar waivers, such as the Michelle P. Waiver or Acquired Brain Injury Waiver.
What is a Person Centered Coach; from the Regulations
When we look at the regulations, we see that the PCC position is most clearly defined by what it isn’t; the PCC is not day-training staff, a replacement for IDEA services, or case management services.
The Person Centered Coaching services are meant to be just that: person-centered. The regulations are designed to leave room for a wide variety of interpretations, so long as they do not duplicate a service and provide a meaningful service to the SCL participant.
For ease of reading, we have italicized what we interpret the most important dimensions of the PCC positions.
Person Centered Coaching
(a) Shall:
1. Be provided by a person-centered coach who shall:
a. Operate independently of a residential or day training provider;
b. Work under the direction of a positive behavior support specialist or other licensed professional in
the settings where the person-centered service plan is implemented; and
c. Meet the personnel and training requirements specified in Section 3 of this administrative regulation;
2. Be an individualized service to be utilized when a barrier challenges the success of a participant in achieving the participant’s goals;
3. Include:
a. The provision of training developed in conjunction with certified or licensed professionals from the participant’s person-centered team, to the participant, family, guardian, natural and paid supports on implementation of all or designated components of the participant’s person-centered service plan;
b. Monitoring the effectiveness of person-centered planning as demonstrated by the support system’s implementation of the person-centered service plan or designated components across the array of service settings and reporting of required and pertinent data; and
c. Data collection that shall be utilized by the participant’s person-centered team to modify the environment or person-centered service plan as needed;
4. Not duplicate case management or any other service;
5. Not supplant an educational service available under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and
6. Be limited to 1,320 fifteen (15) minute units per year.
(b) Person-centered coaching shall be outcome-based with a plan for the gradual withdrawal of the services.
(c) A person-centered coach shall not be considered as part of a staffing ratio, plan, or pattern.
(d) Documentation of a person-centered coaching service shall be entered in the MWMA and shall include:
1. A note documenting each contact, which shall include:
a. A full description of each service rendered;
b. The date of the service;
c. The location of the service;
d. The beginning and ending time of the service;
e. The signature and title of the person-centered coach providing the service; and
f. The date the entry was made in the record; and
2. A completed monthly summary note, which shall include:
a. The month and year for the time period the note covers;
b. A summary of the service provided including recommendations and identification of additional support needs if any exist;
c. The signature and title of the individual completing the note;
d. The date the note was written; and
e. The signature, title, and date of review of documentation by the positive behavior specialist or other licensed professional directing the work of the person-centered coach.
What is a Person Centered Coach; from PCCs
Now that we’ve seen the regs, let’s hear from the folks living the PCC life!
Our PCCs are complete rockstars! We’re so grateful for their flexibility, ingenuity, and willingness to try new things. For an inside look at the life of a PCC, we asked Shadrach George to describe his day-to-day work:
“As a PCC the first thing that is important with every case is that they are all different. It is always good to start off being PCC for someone is building a strong relationship and understanding of each individual, and try and grasp what matters to them. One thing about being a PCC is you are a second set of eyes both for the Positive Behavior Support Specialist but also the day staff. Over time, the staff becomes numb to certain behaviors. The PCC can assist by bringing behaviors to the staff’s attention. PCCs also make sure BSP (behavior support plan) is being followed as intended by the Positive Behavior Support Specialist. A lot of times PCC does not want to be the one directly dealing with behaviors, as they are to support the staff through these behaviors. As the PCC, you model how strategies are performed to staff. However, staff always performs the actual strategies. You can also help staff know when to perform these to help avoid a behavior altogether.”
What is a Person Centered Coach; from Positive Behavior Specialists
For Positive Behavior Specialists, PCCs boost services in almost every possible capacity. Our clinicians report that having a PCC on the team gives them a second set of eyes and ears to collect data. PCCs are perceived to the participant as being separate from staff and the Behavior Specialist, they are able to forge uniquely powerful relationships:
“The Person-Centered Coach (PCC) provides an additional layer of ongoing clinical monitoring and oversight. This enhanced level of observation allows for timely evaluation of the fidelity of Behavior Support Plan (BSP) implementation while also facilitating the early identification of emerging precursor behaviors, relevant antecedent conditions, and potential setting events. In cases requiring a sustained and consistent level of behavioral support across environments, the presence of a PCC is critical in maintaining treatment integrity, promoting proactive intervention, and ensuring continuity of care.” – Amber Durr, BCBA
What sort of activities do Person Centered Coaches do?
Here are some examples of activities that a PCC may participate in as part of their work with a participant:
- Setting up and implementing a schedule
- Working on hygiene activities
- Working on reading and writing
- Engagement in meaningful activities at ADT
- Training on BSP strategies
- Fidelity Checks
- Data collection
- In vivo staff support
- Working on replacement behaviors
How to become a Person Centered Coach?
ABA-LLC wants to connect with passionate individuals looking for meaningful work! We typically will list jobs on Indeed as needed for specific positions, but are always open to receiving an application from those interested. You can learn more under the employment tab!
How do I hire a Person Centered Coach?
Do you think a person-centered coach is right for you or an individual in your life? Person Centered Coaches are available to those who receive the Supports for Community Living (SCL) waiver. Learn more about what the SCL waiver is, who qualifies for it, and how to apply at this link.
If you already receive the SCL waiver, please reach out to your Case Manager to request the PCC service.
ABA-LLC is happy to answer questions about PCCs! Call us at (606) 677-2636.
About ABA-LLC
ABA-LLC is one of the largest suppliers of Behavior Support in the State of Kentucky. Since 2007, the agency has created innovative strategies to improve the lives of unique individuals. ABA-LLC works with around 190 contractors, each dedicated to building an inclusive culture that celebrates individuals of all abilities. No matter who you are, you can reach your goals at ABA-LLC. ABA-LLC is set apart from its competitors by its uniquely person-centered approach. The agency strives to provide services from a place of deep love for the population they serve. Their work exemplifies the belief that every individual has a right to live a fulfilling and independent life integrated within their communities. There is no objective to change a person, but rather to give them the tools they need to succeed. B.F. Skinner summarizes this vision in his quote: “I’m not trying to change people. All I want is to change the world in which they live.” Learn more about us at https://aba-llc.com/