The Minnesota Departments of Human Services and Education (DHS and MDE respectively) are revising a statewide plan describing the development of an infrastructure for providing technical assistance in implementing and evaluating positive supports. Each organization will be asked to form a team representing all stakeholders (self advocates, family members, direct service professionals, therapists, management, etc.). Together the team will identify the positive supports that are needed. Teams will create action plans for implementing one or more positive support practices and assessing how effective these positive support practices are in improving quality of life and decreasing challenging behavior. The statewide plan provides a framework for organizing local, regional, and state policies for promoting positive supports, technical assistance, tools, and resources that will result in outcomes that include ensuring people receiving services are treated with respect, and are receiving the support they need to live independent, self-determined and meaningful lives in their home communities. Click here for more information about the statewide plan.

The statewide plan is designed as a way in which to respond to one part of the Olmstead Plan.

Although this statewide plan addresses the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, the goal of the statewide positive support plan is to improve outcomes for all Minnesotans by encouraging the use of effective evidence-based and promising practices across all Minnesota state services.