Lynda Kahn: Lynda Kahn is a former commissioner for the state of Rhode Island’s Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals, where she served from the early 2000s to 2005. With a background deeply rooted in person-centered planning, she is recognized for her advocacy and innovative approaches to disability services and supports. Kahn has worked closely with notable figures in the field, including John O’Brien and Connie Lyle O’Brien, and has been influenced by their work on the five valued experiences and service accomplishment framework. Her distinguished career is marked by her commitment to collaborative, person-centered practices and her role as a facilitator in planning for individuals with disabilities.

Episode Summary:

In this enlightening episode, Chris Liuzzo hosts a compelling discussion with Lynda Kahn, exploring the heart of person-centered planning. As someone who has held influential roles and championed disability rights, Kahn offers a unique perspective on fostering collaboration and recognizing the intrinsic value of each person. Her background as the leader of Rhode Island’s developmental disabilities service system, where she focused on harnessing personal gifts and ensuring conversations are productive and inclusive, forms the backbone of this conversation.

Steeped in the philosophy of person-centered work, Kahn reflects on her tenure as a director and her dedication to promoting facilitation methods that genuinely encapsulate individuals’ aspirations and dreams. Throughout the episode, she shares insights on implementing practices like PATH, MAPS, and personal futures planning, shedding light on the difference between mandated service planning and voluntary imaginative planning. This conversation invites listeners to rethink traditional hierarchies in organizational settings and inspires them to envision a future rooted in dialogue and empathetic understanding.

Key Takeaways:

Influence through Collaboration: Kahn highlights the importance of having a facilitative role where collaboration, rather than authority, drives progress in person-centered work.

Conversational Leadership: Person-centered planning involves fostering genuine dialogue, understanding people’s dreams, and working collectively toward common goals.

Qualities of Effective Facilitation: An impactful leader should possess a strong moral compass, respect for participant contributions, and strive for an inclusive, personable interaction style.

Voluntary Planning vs. Mandatory Compliance: Genuine person-centered planning should be a consensual process, not a regulatory imposition, allowing people to truly express their aspirations.

Gift Recognition: Identifying and celebrating the unique skills and strengths of each person involved is crucial to successful person-centered planning.

Notable Quotes:

“I learned that nominally seeming to be in charge really meant an extraordinary amount of collaborative work with people.”

“It’s willed commitments, not requirements.”

“This isn’t quantum physics, it’s simplicity of outcomes.”

“Having a moral compass and wanting to be in conversation with people and thinking we can figure this out when we find ourselves disagreeing.”

“I wanted to have conversations directly with people.”

Resources:

New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation

John O’Brien’s work on conversational leadership

PATH, MAPS, and personal futures planning methodologies

New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.