When Michael attended his first person-centered planning meeting at age 19, he was surprised to discover he was supposed to be leading the conversation. For years, adults had talked about his goals, his needs, and his future—but this was the first time someone asked him what HE wanted.
“I want to work with animals,” he said quietly. “And I want to live near my sister.”
That simple statement changed everything about his support plan.
Michael’s experience reflects what happens when person-centered planning moves beyond paperwork requirements to become genuine empowerment. At Families Matter, we’ve witnessed countless moments like this over our nearly thirty years of service—moments when individuals discover their voice matters and their dreams are worth pursuing.
Person-centered planning puts the individual at the center of all decisions about their life. It sounds simple, but many people don’t realize they have rights in this process or that quality planning goes far beyond compliance checklists.
True person-centered planning recognizes that you are the expert on your own life. It honors your preferences, respects your culture, and builds supports around your goals rather than forcing you to fit into predetermined programs.
What Person-Centered Planning Really Means
Beyond the Buzzwords: True Person-Centered Approach
Person-centered planning centers on individual choice and self-determination. Instead of focusing on deficits or limitations, it emphasizes strengths, interests, and possibilities. The goal is community integration and inclusion based on each person’s definition of meaningful participation.
Quality person-centered planning respects cultural and personal values while providing ongoing support for achieving goals. It recognizes that dreams evolve and plans should adapt accordingly.
How It’s Different from Traditional Planning
Traditional service planning often starts with provider-driven goals based on available programs. Assessments focus on deficits and challenges, with limited individual input in goal-setting. Standardized approaches attempt to fit people into existing service categories.
Person-centered planning flips this approach entirely. Individual-driven goals and dreams become the starting point. Strength-based planning explores what’s possible rather than dwelling on limitations. The individual leads or actively participates in every aspect of planning.
Most importantly, person-centered planning creates customized support plans that honor individual preferences rather than forcing people to accept whatever services happen to be available.
Maine’s Legal Requirements
Federal HCBS Settings Rule compliance requires that services support community integration and individual choice. MaineCare waiver program requirements mandate person-centered planning for all participants.
The Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) provides guidelines that go beyond minimum compliance to encourage best practices. Maine state law protects individual rights throughout the planning process.
These requirements exist because research consistently shows that people achieve better outcomes when they have genuine control over decisions affecting their lives.
Your Rights in the Planning Process
Fundamental Rights Every Individual Has
The Right to Lead Your Planning
You choose who attends your meeting based on who you trust and want involved in your life. You set the agenda and priorities, focusing on what matters most to you. You can request additional time or follow-up meetings if decisions feel rushed.
You have the right to ask for an advocate or support person who can help you communicate your preferences or understand complex information.
The Right to Make Informed Choices
Full disclosure of all available options means providers must explain every service and support possibility, not just what they offer. Information should be presented in formats you can understand, whether that means plain language, visual aids, or interpretation services.
You deserve time to consider decisions without pressure from providers or family members. Most importantly, you retain the right to change your mind as your preferences evolve or circumstances change.
The Right to Cultural and Personal Respect
Planning must honor your cultural background and respect personal values and preferences. Language interpretation services should be available when needed, and accommodations must be made for different communication styles or needs.
Your planning team should understand and incorporate what matters to you culturally, spiritually, and personally.
The Right to Privacy and Confidentiality
You control who has access to your plan and what information is shared with whom. You have the right to limit information sharing and expect privacy during planning discussions.
All documentation should remain confidential unless you specifically consent to sharing with particular individuals or organizations.
When Your Rights Aren’t Being Respected
Warning Signs
Others make decisions without your input or dismiss your preferences as unrealistic. You feel rushed or pressured during meetings, or important information is withheld or presented in confusing ways.
Cultural or personal values aren’t considered in planning, or team members seem uncomfortable with your choices.
Steps to Take
Request a new planning meeting with different facilitation. Ask for an independent advocate who can support your self-advocacy efforts. Contact Maine Disability Rights Center for guidance and support.
You can request a different facilitator or case manager if the current team isn’t respecting your rights. If necessary, file a complaint with OADS to ensure proper procedures are followed.
Support for Self-Advocacy
Maine offers supported decision-making resources that help individuals make informed choices while maintaining control over their lives. Advocacy training opportunities build skills for speaking up about preferences and needs.
Peer support networks connect you with others who understand the planning process from personal experience. Family and friend support circles can provide emotional support while respecting your autonomy.
The Planning Process in Maine
Who’s Involved in Your Planning Team
Required Team Members
You are the most important team member—the individual receiving services leads the entire process. Your case manager coordinates services and funding while supporting your choices.
Service providers attend to explain options and commit to supporting your goals. Guardians or family members participate if applicable and desired by you, but their role is supportive rather than decision-making.
Optional Team Members
Friends and chosen family bring perspectives from people who know you well outside of service systems. Spiritual or cultural advisors help honor important aspects of your identity and values.
Employers or volunteer coordinators can discuss opportunities for meaningful participation in work or community service. Healthcare providers contribute when health considerations affect goal-setting.
Independent advocates offer unbiased support for your self-advocacy efforts throughout the planning process.
Step-by-Step Planning Process
Phase 1: Preparation (Before the Meeting)
Individual reflection on goals and dreams helps you identify what matters most. Gathering information about available services ensures you understand all options.
Identifying who you want at your meeting ensures trusted supporters participate. Preparing questions and priorities helps you stay focused on what’s important to you.
Phase 2: The Planning Meeting
The meeting opens with introductions and clarification of the meeting purpose. Discovery explores your strengths, interests, and goals through conversation focused on your perspectives.
Visioning involves discussing dreams and long-term aspirations without limiting yourself to what seems immediately possible. Planning identifies specific steps and supports needed to move toward your goals.
Action items assign responsibilities and timelines to team members. Follow-up scheduling ensures regular review meetings and check-ins to monitor progress.
Phase 3: Implementation and Review
Regular progress monitoring ensures plans stay on track while remaining flexible as circumstances change. Plans adjust as goals evolve or new interests develop.
Annual comprehensive reviews provide opportunities for major plan updates. Ongoing communication between team members maintains coordination and support.
Using Maine’s Planning Tools
Charting the LifeCourse Framework
This approach organizes planning around key life domains: Daily Life, Community Living, Safety & Security, Healthy Living, Social & Spirituality, and Citizenship & Advocacy.
Trajectory tools help plan across the lifespan, recognizing that goals and support needs change over time. Integration with Maine’s service planning requirements ensures compliance while maintaining focus on individual choice.
LifeCourse Planning Tools Available
The Integrated Supports Star assesses current supports across all life domains. Trajectory Planning Templates help map future goals and the steps needed to achieve them.
Information & Action Records track resources and contacts that support goal achievement. Experience & Vision Worksheets explore past successes and future dreams to inform planning.
Technology and Accessibility
Virtual meeting options ensure participation regardless of transportation or health limitations. Assistive technology supports communication for individuals with different communication styles or needs.
Alternative formats for planning documents accommodate different learning styles and accessibility needs. Mobile apps can help with goal tracking and communication between meetings.
How Families Matter Implements Person-Centered Planning
Our Philosophy in Action
Going Beyond Compliance
We believe in true partnership with individuals and families that extends far beyond meeting minimum requirements. Flexible scheduling works around your life rather than forcing you to accommodate our availability.
Multiple communication methods ensure your preferences are heard and understood. Ongoing support between formal meetings maintains focus on your goals throughout daily programming.
Individual Choice in Daily Programming
Choice in daily activities and community outings reflects your interests and preferences. Flexible scheduling accommodates personal preferences for timing and pacing.
Support for pursuing individual interests and hobbies goes beyond group activities to honor what makes you unique. Opportunities to try new experiences expand possibilities without pressure to commit.
Real Examples from Our Locations
Hallowell Success Story
Maria expressed interest in cooking during her planning meeting. Rather than adding “cooking skills” as a generic goal, our team discovered she specifically wanted to learn to make her grandmother’s traditional recipes.
We connected her with a local cultural center’s cooking program, and now she volunteers there monthly, sharing her heritage while building culinary skills. Her planning honored both her interest in cooking and her cultural identity.
Gardiner Innovation
When James said he wanted to “help people,” traditional planning might have focused on generic volunteer work. Our person-centered approach dug deeper—he wanted to help older adults because his grandfather was lonely.
We developed a partnership with local senior centers where James now has meaningful relationships while contributing to his community. His goal of helping people became specific and personally meaningful.
How We Support Self-Advocacy
Pre-meeting Preparation
One-on-one time helps identify goals and preferences in a comfortable, pressure-free environment. Our staff listen carefully to understand what matters most to each individual.
Meeting Facilitation
We ensure the individual’s voice is heard and respected throughout planning meetings. Visual supports including pictures, symbols, or other tools enhance communication when helpful.
Follow-up Support
Regular check-ins ensure plans are working and goals remain relevant. Adjustments happen naturally as interests evolve or circumstances change.
Family Partnership
Respecting Boundaries
We understand when families should and shouldn’t be involved in planning decisions. Supporting relationships means helping families transition to supportive rather than decision-making roles.
Information Sharing
We keep families informed while respecting individual privacy choices. When conflicts arise, we help navigate disagreements while centering individual choice.
Conflict Resolution
Sometimes family members and individuals disagree about goals or services. We provide neutral facilitation that honors relationships while protecting individual autonomy.
Continuous Improvement
Regular training for all staff ensures person-centered practices improve continuously. Feedback systems for individuals and families help us understand what’s working and what needs adjustment.
Collaboration with Maine’s person-centered planning initiatives keeps us current with best practices. Innovation in planning approaches and tools reflects our commitment to excellence.
Making Person-Centered Planning Work for You
Preparing for Your First (or Next) Planning Meeting
Self-Reflection Questions
What makes you happy in your daily life? What activities, people, or experiences bring you joy and satisfaction?
What are your dreams for the next 1-3 years? Think beyond immediate needs to consider what you hope to achieve or experience.
What support do you need to achieve your goals? Consider both formal services and informal supports from family and friends.
Who are the most important people in your life? These relationships should be honored and supported through your planning.
What does independence mean to you? Your definition guides goal-setting and service planning.
Practical Preparation
Writing down your thoughts before the meeting helps you stay focused on what matters most. Bringing photos or items that represent your interests helps others understand your preferences.
Inviting people who know you well and support your dreams ensures trusted voices participate in planning. Preparing questions about available services and options helps you make informed choices.
Consider what accommodations you need for full participation, whether that means interpretation services, visual aids, or extra time for decision-making.
Advocating for Quality Planning
Request adequate time for thorough discussion rather than rushing through required paperwork. Ask for plain language explanations when information seems confusing or overly technical.
Insist on exploring all available options, not just services offered by providers in the room. Request follow-up meetings if you need more time to consider options or gather additional information.
Document decisions and action items to ensure everyone understands their responsibilities and timelines.
Building Your Support Network
Identify natural supports including family, friends, and community connections who understand and support your goals. Connect with peer advocacy groups for support from others with similar experiences.
Consider professional advocacy services when you need additional support navigating complex systems. Develop ongoing communication with your case manager to maintain focus on your priorities.
Strong support networks provide both practical assistance and emotional encouragement throughout the planning process and goal achievement.
Your Planning, Your Choice
Person-centered planning is about empowerment, not compliance with bureaucratic requirements. You have the right to lead decisions about your life, and quality providers should support your choices and dreams rather than limiting them.
The planning process should strengthen your voice, not diminish it. When done well, person-centered planning opens doors to possibilities you might not have considered while honoring what matters most to you.
At Families Matter, we’ve seen the power of authentic person-centered planning to transform lives. When Michael said he wanted to work with animals and live near his sister, his team didn’t dismiss those goals as unrealistic. Instead, they built supports that honored both his career interests and his family relationships.
Today, Michael volunteers at a local animal shelter and lives in a supported apartment just fifteen minutes from his sister’s home. His planning team meets annually to review progress and explore new goals, but the foundation remains the same: Michael’s choices drive every decision.
Ready to Experience True Person-Centered Planning?
Contact one of our Assistant Directors to learn how Families Matter supports individual choice and self-determination in our programming. Every conversation starts with listening to what matters most to you.
- Hallowell: Jane Lerette – 207-621-1023
- Gardiner: Erica Poulin – 207-203-0004
- Skowhegan: Melinda King – 207-621-2992
- Waterville: Debra Wells – 207-616-3284
We believe that when person-centered planning truly puts individuals first, everyone benefits—the person receiving services, their family, and the entire community. Your goals and dreams matter, and quality planning should help you achieve them.
Ready to discuss how person-centered planning can support your goals? Contact us to schedule a conversation about your preferences, interests, and dreams for the future.