You can invite anyone you want to your person-centered planning meeting. People who you have met, people you talk to on the street corner, the people you go bowling with; they are all people you can invite to your person-centered planning meeting. You want the people you invite to care about what is best for you, and to be people who listen to you, and really hear what you say.

If you have filled out a People Map or have written down all the people who are in your life, you have a great resource to use. You may have a really long list of people who you can invite.

But who do you want and need to invite? Just because a person is on your People Map or is someone that you see every day, doesn't always mean that they are someone you want to have at your person-centered planning meeting.

You want people:

Who are supportive to be at your person-centered planning meeting.

Who believe in you; who think that recovery is possible.

Who listen to you.

Here are some questions that can help you decide if the people on your list or People Map are people who you want to invite to your meeting. When you look at the people on your list or People Map, if you don't find people you want to invite, then making new friends might be a goal.

Do you like the person?

Is he or she supportive?

Are they mean or rude?

Do they tell jokes that hurt?

Do they laugh at you, instead of with you?

Do they respect you?

Are they people who you like having around?

Sometimes people get asked because they have answers. It helps to invite people who know about programs. It also helps to invite people who know about jobs or can help you get employed, just in case you want to go back to work or find a different job. If you want to explore different housing options, it can help to invite people who are knowledgeable about housing. Who you invite to your person-centered planning meeting is up to you. 

Just remember that you want the people you invite to your person-centered planning meeting to be supportive and have your best interests at heart; people who want to help you have the life you want.