How services work

You should be at the center

Person-centered planning starts with what matters to you: where you want to live, what you want to do, who you want around you, and what help you choose.

Kinds of support you might get

Services can cover many parts of daily life. You choose the ones that fit your goals.

• Help at home or with daily tasks
• Finding or keeping a job
• Getting to appointments and places
• Health and wellness care
• Connecting with friends and community

Words you may hear

Service systems use many terms.

• Support plan: your goals and agreed supports
• Case manager: a person who helps coordinate services
• Provider: a person or organization that gives a service
• Self-direction: having more control over your supports

How services usually start

The path can look different in each place, but it often follows a few steps.

• Ask about services and check if you qualify
• Meet to talk about your needs and goals
• Make a support plan together
• Choose your providers
• Review the plan and change it over time

Before a meeting

Write down what is working, what is not working, and what you want to change. You can ask for information in a format you understand and invite someone you trust.

During a meeting

This is your plan. You can take an active part in it.

• Share what matters most to you
• Ask questions if something is unclear
• Say if you disagree with a suggestion
• Ask for more time to decide

If something is not working

A support plan can change. If a service is not helping, you can ask to review it, try a different provider, or bring in someone you trust to help you speak up.