Minn. Stat. §256B.0911, subd. 3a, Minn. Stat. §626.557

What contributes to a quality life is different for each person. A support system that values quality of life must be built on and driven by a desire to understand, respect and honor each person’s values.

Person-centered practices help people live quality lives by:

For more information and guidance, see CBSM – Person-centered practices.

This guide is to help support planners determine when and how to discuss with people their right and ability to make informed choices that may include risk.

Support planners may use this document throughout the entire service cycle, including:

Informed choice: A choice a person makes that is based on the following: the person’s likes, dislikes and community-based experiences; the potential impact(s) on the person’s quality of life; and information about other available options the person receives from their support systems.

Maltreatment: May include physical, mental or emotional abuse; financial exploitation; caregiver neglect of a person’s needs (e.g., food, shelter, clothing, education, health, supervision); or a vulnerable adult’s neglect of own needs.

Risk: Potential exposure to danger, harm or loss.

Support planner: A professional who helps a person with the long-term services and supports (LTSS) support planning process. Professionals who can provide this support include case managers, care coordinators and certified assessors.

In addition to other responsibilities, the support planner must support and encourage the person to make informed choices and respect the person’s right to take risks.

To meet this responsibility, the support planner must:

This section provides guidance on how to support and encourage informed choice and discuss potential risk during a conversation that may occur during any point in the service delivery cycle. This conversation may happen in person or over the phone.

Step 1

When the person shares their goals, wants and/or desires, the support planner and the person’s formal and/or informal supports help the person meet those goals, wants and/or desires. This includes identifying risk areas.

Step 2

When the person discusses how a goal, want and/or desire is important to them, the support planner:

The person’s formal and/or informal supports participate in the development of the support plan.

Step 3

When the person shares likes and dislikes about the support options, including those to help manage risk, the support planner:

The person’s formal and/or informal supports share how they intend to support the person as the person pursues their goals, wants and/or desires.

Step 4

When the person shares successes and challenges with the support plan, the support planner:

The person’s formal and/or informal supports share their observations of successes and challenges.

A mandated reporter can report suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable adult by either:

For more information, see CBSM – Adult protection.