A New Era for Person-Centered Thinking Training: Bringing the Full TLC Experience Online
For decades, person-centered thinking (PCT) training has been a cornerstone of high-quality services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and older adults. Rooted in values of dignity, choice, autonomy, and community inclusion, PCT is not a “nice-to-have”—it is foundational to ethical, effective support systems.
Yet despite its importance, access to comprehensive, high-fidelity PCT training has long been limited by practical realities: multi-day in-person sessions, travel costs, staffing shortages, and scheduling constraints that make participation difficult for many organizations.
That reality is now changing.
Through a new partnership between IntellectAbility and Support Development Associates (SDA), the full The Learning Community for Person-Centered Practices (TLCPCP) curriculum is now available in an interactive, fully online format—without compromising depth, integrity, or instructional quality. This interactive training can be accessed from any location, removing previous barriers and making it easier for agencies and organizations to participate.
This initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between partners, with the curriculum developed jointly by IntellectAbility and Support Development Associates to ensure the highest standards in person-centered thinking training.
Introduction to Person-Centered Practices
Person-centered practices are at the heart of delivering high-quality support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and those who are aging. These practices are rooted in the belief that every person deserves to have their unique needs, preferences, and aspirations recognized and respected. By focusing on the person, person-centered thinking skills empower people to gain positive control over their own lives, leading to more meaningful outcomes and a higher quality of life.
For direct support professionals, person-centered thinking training is essential. It equips them with the tools and understanding needed to put the person at the center of every decision, ensuring that services are tailored to each person’s strengths, goals, and values. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of support but also fosters a culture of dignity, respect, and autonomy within organizations.
The Learning Community for Person-Centered Practices (TLCPCP) has long been a leader in developing and sharing best practices for person-centered training. Their comprehensive curriculum, along with the expertise of Support Development Associates (SDA), provides organizations with the resources and guidance necessary to implement person-centered thinking skills at every level. These training programs help staff develop the ability to listen deeply, communicate effectively, and support people in making informed choices about their own support and life direction.
Person-centered planning is a cornerstone of these practices. It involves working collaboratively with people to identify their strengths, needs, and dreams, and then developing support strategies that help them achieve their personal goals. This process recognizes the right of people with IDD and mental health conditions to lead self-directed lives, and it ensures that their voices are heard and valued in every aspect of service delivery.
In the context of aging and developmental disabilities, person-centered practices are especially important. They help people manage challenges, build on their abilities, and participate fully in their communities. By prioritizing person-centered thinking, organizations can create environments where the people are supported, and their families and support teams work together to promote health, well-being, and positive outcomes.
Ultimately, the importance of person-centered practices cannot be overstated. When organizations invest in person-centered training and foster a culture of centered thinking, they not only improve service quality but also help people with IDD and mental health conditions lead fulfilling, self-determined lives. This commitment to person-centered support benefits not only the persons served but also their families, colleagues, and the broader community.
Decades of Expertise, Reimagined for Today’s Workforce
This collaboration represents decades of combined experience in person-centered practices, planning, and training. Support Development Associates has long been recognized for its leadership in TLCPCP-based instruction, while IntellectAbility brings deep expertise in translating complex, evidence-informed content into scalable, accessible eLearning experiences.
Together, the organizations have accomplished something that once seemed unlikely: converting the entire traditional The Learning Center training model into a comprehensive online experience that preserves the heart of person-centered thinking while expanding its reach. The curriculum is presented by professional trainers who bring deep insights from years of experience in person-centered practices, ensuring that learners benefit from expert knowledge and practical lessons.
Rather than offering a condensed or “lighter” version of the curriculum, these courses deliver the full TLCPCP framework—now supported by interactive technology, reflective exercises, and learning tools that meet professionals where they are.
Two Distinct Courses, Designed for Different Needs
A key feature of this launch is the intentional development of two separate courses, each tailored to the unique realities of different populations:
- Person-Centered Thinking for IDD
- Person-Centered Thinking for Aging
Each course is structured as a comprehensive class designed to engage participants in practical learning experiences.
While the foundational principles of PCT remain consistent, best practices differ when supporting people with IDD versus older adults. These courses recognize those distinctions and provide targeted guidance that aligns with real-world service delivery across the lifespan.
This separation ensures learners receive relevant, applicable training—rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Any member of an organization or team can enroll and benefit from these courses.
From Skepticism to Confidence: Why Online Works Now
For many seasoned trainers, the idea of delivering true PCT instruction online once felt unrealistic.
“I’m cautious about anything claiming to ‘transform’ training—because I’ve seen lots of approaches over the years that have not been as effective as hoped,” said Tanya Richmond, a TLCPCP PCT Mentor Trainer with over 20 years of experience. “If you’d told me even a few years ago we’d be delivering PCT entirely online, I would’ve had serious doubts.”
What changed? Technology.
Recent advances, including AI-enhanced learning tools, have made it possible to create an experience that is not only interactive and flexible but in many ways more effective than traditional live instruction.
“This platform truly impressed me,” Richmond continued. “It engages learners instantly and brings clarity, flexibility, and depth in a way that’s not only comparable to live instruction, but in many respects surpasses it. I never thought I’d say this, but online might just be the best classroom we’ve ever had!”
To gain the full benefit and ensure proficiency, participants must complete all modules, which helps maintain a strong focus on person-centered principles throughout the training.
Removing Barriers Without Lowering the Bar
Historically, accessing high-quality PCT training required organizations to navigate travel logistics, staff coverage challenges, and significant time commitments. These barriers often led to fewer staff being trained, inconsistent implementation, or delayed adoption of person-centered practices.
The new eLearning format removes those obstacles.
Learners can now engage with the full TLC curriculum from anywhere, on a schedule that fits their role and responsibilities—without sacrificing rigor or authenticity. Management staff can also benefit from this training, gaining the management skills needed to better lead and support their teams in implementing person-centered practices. This expanded access allows organizations across states, markets, and service systems to equip their workforce with the skills needed to support meaningful, self-directed lives.
“This is a major step forward for person-centered supports,” said Dr. Craig Escudé, President of IntellectAbility. “For years, organizations have struggled to provide consistent PCT training due to staffing, travel, and scheduling barriers. This new format removes those obstacles and delivers the same depth of learning, sometimes even more effectively than traditional multi-day live sessions.”
A Scalable Solution for Systems Nationwide
Early adopters across multiple markets—including state agencies and large organizations—have already expressed enthusiasm for the scalability and innovation behind these courses. Councils play a key role in guiding and accrediting person-centered training initiatives, ensuring that best practices are upheld across organizations. By making high-fidelity PCT training accessible at scale, this partnership supports system-wide consistency while honoring the personalized nature of person-centered practices.
As service systems continue to evolve, access to meaningful, practical training remains essential—not just for compliance, but for truly supporting people to live lives of their own choosing in their communities. This approach serves the unique needs of clients by prioritizing their preferences and well-being, and involving them as active decision-makers in their own support.
Looking Ahead
Person-centered thinking has always been about listening deeply, adapting thoughtfully, and removing barriers that limit opportunity. The training incorporates principles from psychology and addresses the needs of people with mental illness, ensuring that supporters are equipped to meet the diverse needs of vulnerable populations. Bringing the full TLC experience into an online learning environment reflects those same values—applied to workforce development itself.
With these new courses, PCT training is no longer constrained by geography or logistics. It is available to virtually anyone committed to supporting people with IDD and older adults with dignity, respect, and intention. The courses are recognized by or developed in collaboration with leading university programs in person-centered practices, further enhancing their credibility and impact.
More information on these courses will be available on April 1st, 2026.
Additional Resources:
- Person-Centered Thinking (PCT) Overview
Learn what person-centered thinking is, how it supports people with IDD and older adults, and why PCT is foundational to ethical, effective service delivery across disability and aging systems. - Free IDD Perspectives Webinars
Access on-demand and upcoming webinars focused on person-centered practices, health equity, aging, and system-level support for people with IDD—led by nationally recognized experts. - Online Person-Centered Training Through the IntellectAbility Academy
Explore self-paced eLearning courses designed to strengthen person-centered practices, improve health and safety outcomes, and support professional development in IDD and aging services.
