About NCAPPS

Click here to download the NCAPPS Overview as a pdf

The National Center on Advancing Person- Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS) is an initiative from the Administration for Community Living and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that helps States, Tribes, and Territories implement person-centered thinking, planning, and practice in line with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services policy.

In the past 30 years, the support systems for older adults and people with disabilities have changed dramatically. In that time, long-term services and supports have generally moved to embrace person-centered values which are dedicated to the idea that individuals should have the power to define and pursue their own vision for a good life. However, many systems still struggle to put person-centered principles into practice and deliver on these commitments.

NCAPPS Activities:

  • In-depth, practical technical assistance to States, Tribes, and Territories
  • Topic-specific learning collaboratives to promote broad-based learning and sharing of best practices
  • Monthly webinars open to the public
  • Maintain a national clearinghouse of actionable, up-to-date resources
  • Continuously work to integrate the voice of people with lived experience of disability and older adults who use long-term services and support

The goal of NCAPPS is to promote systems change that makes person-centered principles not just an aspiration but a reality in the lives of people who require services and supports across the lifespan. NCAPPS will assist States, Tribes, and Territories to transform their service and support systems to implement U.S. Department of Health and Human Services policy on person-centered thinking, planning, and practices. It will support a range of person-centered thinking, planning, and practices, regardless of funding source.

Our NCAPPS Kickoff Webinar offers a detailed overview of the National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS). The slides can be found here.



What is person-centered thinking, planning, and practice?



  • Person-centered thinking focuses language, values, and actions toward respecting the views of the person and their loved ones. It emphasizes quality of life, well-being, and informed choice.
  • Person-centered planning is directed by the person with helpers they choose. It is a way to learn about the choices and interests that make up a good life and identify the supports (paid and unpaid) needed to achieve it.
  • Person-centered practices are present when people have the full benefit of community living and supports are designed to assist people as they work toward their desired life goals.




What types of technical assistance and resources does NCAPPS offer?

NCAPPS will provide technical assistance to States Tribes and Territories, and produce resources for the public that discuss implementing effective and practical person-centered practices by:

  • Working across systems and programs to integrate rules, regulations, and policies to promote person-centered practices
  • Engaging service users and families to create high expectations for services and supports
  • Adapting payment systems to incentivize person-centered practice
  • Enhancing cultural and linguistic responsiveness
  • Measuring person-centered processes and outcomes to evaluate impacts
  • Using technology to enhance person-centered practices

NCAPPS helps systems make person-centered principles more than just a goal. We want to ensure they are a reality in people’s lives.


NCAPPS is funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It is run by the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI).

NCAPPS Partner Organizations

  • National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA)
  • ADvancing States
  • National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS)
  • National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD)
  • National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD)
  • National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD)