An independent facilitator is a person who makes sure that the focus of your person-centered planning meeting is on what you want and need. They are concerned with making sure your hopes, interests and goals are paid attention to. An independent facilitator does not work for the mental health agency or provider you receive your services from.

You get to choose if you want an independent facilitator to lead or co-lead your person-centered planning meeting. Community mental health agencies have people who are trained to be independent facilitators. These facilitators are trained in confidentiality. People who use an independent facilitator are happier with their plans, services and supports. They help your person-centered planning meeting run smoothly and can lead or co-lead your meeting, should you want them to.

An independent facilitator can also help with pre-planning. They can help you decide on topics, invite the people you have chosen to attend, and help you decide when and where you would like to have your person-centered planning meeting. They can help with other things as well.

To be able to do pre-planning, or to lead or co-lead your person-centered planning meeting, an independent facilitator needs to get to know you. They need to know things like:

What you like and dislike

What you do and don't want to talk about

Who is a part of your life

Who supports you

Who doesn't support you

How you communicate

What you would like to have happen

What your goals are

And anything else they need to know to help you get what you want to happen in your person-centered planning meeting.

Your independent facilitator doesn't write your plan, but instead works with you and your supports coordinator or case manager to make sure your person-centered plan addresses your hopes, interests and goals.