Describe the DSP's role on the individual planning team:

The role of a Direct Support Professional (DSP) on the individual planning team primarily involves providing services and supports to assist individuals in achieving their goals. This focuses on empowering individuals by facilitating their participation in decision-making about their own lives. The DSP works directly with individuals, helping them to identify their personal goals and aspirations, and then providing the necessary support to help them reach those goals.

This approach aligns with person-centered planning, which emphasizes the individual's preferences, interests, and desires. By focusing on supportive services, the DSP aids in fostering independence and self-determination for individuals, which are key components of effective support.

Furthermore, while the DSP may collaborate with others to determine needed services, coordinate supports, or assess needs, those tasks serve more as a means to the end goal of empowering the individual rather than replacing their autonomy in the decision-making process. Therefore, the emphasis on the DSP's role in providing direct support ensures that the individual remains at the center of their own planning and goal achievement.