Independent Facilitation

Upcoming Events

Independent Facilitator Training

When:

  • February 4th, 2025, from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • February 6th, 2025 from 10:00 - 4:00 PM

Where: Online through Zoom

The word new inside of a yellow shape that resembles the sun.

A Review of Independent Facilitation

When:

  • January 17th, 2025 from 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Where: Online through Zoom

  • Register
    • Janurary 17th here
  • Learn more

Independent Facilitators – Your Partner in the Person-Centered Planning Process

How to Find an Independent Facilitator Near You

If you would like to find a trained indepedent facilitator near where you live, please visit the webpage linked below. You can browse independent facilitators by the county in which they live and work.

Find an Independent Facilitator

Man wearing plaid shirt sitting at table and smiling - Click on this button to Find an Independent Facilitator Near You


The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute (MI-DDI) offers resources, training, and support to prepare individuals to serve as Independent Facilitators.

Independent facilitation is part of the person-centered planning process. It assures you that you have an ally in directing your person-centered planning meeting.

What does an Independent Facilitator do?

  • Conduct a pre-meeting to identify a person's strengths and needs
  • Organize a fun, yet productive, planning process
  • Record information in an understandable, concise format
  • Encourage brainstorming, problem-solving, and action steps
  • Assist in locating community resources
  • Use person-centered planning tools to facilitate the planning process

MI-DDI has prepared the following "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) documents to share more information about Independent Facilitation:


Independent Facilitation Infographic

If you would like to learn more about how independent facilitation works in the person-centered planning process, please click the link below to view and download an infographic in PDF format outlining the process:

View an independent facilitation infographic.


Independent Facilitation Resources

MI-DDI, working with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and its Behavioral and Physical Health and Aging Services Administration (BPHASA), brought together a group to help promote the use of Independent Facilitation in the Person-Centered Planning process. This group included staff from health plans, local mental health providers, state officials, trained Independent Facilitators, individuals with disabilities, family members, and other disability organizations. Together, they created resources and made recommendations to improve the use of Independent Facilitators. Select each of the resources below to learn more:


Supports Coordinators and Independent Facilitation Survey Results

MI-DDI conducted a survey in February 2023 of behavioral health supports coordinators and case managers (SC/CM) about IF. Over 250 people answered the survey. The one-page document linked below gives a brief summary of the results.

Download, save, and print the Independent Facilitation 2023 survey results.


Related Links

Open the Training Request Form.