Question: What is an IPOS?

Answer:  There is no single, shared definition of Individualized Plan of Service (IPOS), and the term has been used across a variety health and mental health care contexts. At a minimum, the broad label of IPOS require that the consumer and family/guardian rather than merely being present during planning, are engaged as active and equal partners in IPOS.

1.         The IPOS plan is a single, comprehensive plan of care that coordinates services and supports for a given consumer and family across settings and agencies; and

2.         Plans are developed on the basis of a thorough assessment of the needs of the individual.

3.         Plans include specific goals and objectives designed to meet identified needs, and

4.         Progress towards the goals is monitored at regular intervals, and plans are revised if progress is not satisfactory.

5.         The person for whom the plan is being prepared, and/or that person's family or guardian, participates in the planning process.

6.         The IPOS process is strengths based and recovery oriented, and promotes child and family integration into home and community life and roles.

7.         The IPOS process will stimulate flexible problem solving and creative strategies for meeting identified needs.

8.         The IPOS is developed in conjunction with the local mental health agency and is implemented by providers like New Passages.

9.         The IPOS is reviewed on a regular basis by the local mental health agency to make the plan is being implemented as prescribed.