Service-Delivery Competencies in Home and Community-Based Services Needed to Achieve Person-Centered Planning and Practices: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Home and community-based services (HCBS) assist people with disabilities and older adults to remain in their homes. Direct support professionals and care managers who facilitate the development of support plans need to employ person-centered approaches to ensure services are tailored to peoples' needs and preferences. The aims were to identify the key competencies needed for delivery of person-centered supports and examine the relationship between HCBS and its' outcomes in the United States. We used the competencies developed by the National Center on advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems as a framework. We conducted a systematic review to identify the skills necessary to deliver person-centered HCBS. We coded 43 articles and identified seven competencies. Most frequently mentioned competencies related to culturally informed practice, cultivating connections, and promoting rights, choice, and control. Policy makers should create training standards for person-centered practices to ensure that people receiving HCBS live the lives they want.

Keywords: competencies; direct service worker; home and community-based services; person-centered care; person-centered planning.