The PUNS process is a statewide continuous effort to identify and prioritize mental retardation service needs.  Individual service needs are categorized as Emergency (needed immediately), Critical (needed within 12 months), and Planning (needed within five years).  The County uses the PUNS process both to identify and prioritize consumer needs as they arise, and to support service and budget requests to the Commonwealth. 

 

When a person registers with Chester County MH/MR the Supports Coordinator, consumer, and family discuss service needs to develop the Individual Support Plan (ISP).  Service needs which the County cannot meet due to limited funds or service capacity are noted in a PUNS document.  The County uses the PUNS lists to identify individuals for placements and to plan and develop new services when possible.

 

The Supports Coordinator keeps regular contact with consumers, provider agencies, and other service team members to monitor ISP activity, address unmet needs, and identify new needs.  New needs that cannot be met are recorded in a PUNS document.  The Supports Coordinator convenes the service team at least annually to update the Individual Support Plan and discuss and prioritize needs.  The Supports Coordinator then completes a PUNS form to document new or enhanced service needs.

 

Each year during development of the annual Mental Retardation Plan and Budget Request to the Commonwealth, the County uses PUNS data to document service needs, the urgency of those needs, and the budget request.