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Person-Centered Planning

Person-Centered Planning has been law in Michigan since 1996.  It is a planning process, now required in federal law as well, that allows the people involved to learn about a person’s idea of a good life and identify supports needed to achieve that life.  It is not something done to a person, nor is it done for a person; instead it is directed by that person, with support from a facilitator as needed and desired.  Once that vision of a good life has been established and supports are identified a person-centered plan is written to drive services and supports to the person’s life vision (In Michigan this plan is named an Individual Plan of Service.   The process is highly individualized and dependent on the person guiding all involved to an end goal.

Person-Centered Planning works for the people served by the behavioral health system, the providers of that system and the community at large.  The larger outcome of Person-Centered Planning is that people served maintain or gain a substantial level of functioning by increasing autonomy, productivity and community integration.  Community Mental Health Providers work with their communities to improve relationships and promote inclusion for the populations served.  Person-Centered Planning supports individuals to creatively use cost-effective community resources and neighborhood solutions to achieve the dreams of people who receive services through the Behavioral Health System.

Person-Centered Planning Policy

Independent Facilitation Resources

Tips for Writing Goals and Objectives

Person-Centered Planning Tools