Person-Centered Thinking and Planning: Moving Beyond Program Jargon and Bureaucratic Requirements to Build Better Lives – In Person Training
Presenter: Monica Bear, MSSW
Overview: Documents like Member-Centered Plans and Individual Support and Service Plans serve as the cornerstone of programs such as Family Care, Partnership, IRIS and CLTS. These documents list and authorize the menu of services people utilize while simultaneously demonstrating Medicaid compliance. The original intent, of helping people design an individualized roadmap for living their best lives, often gets lost in the process of completing forms, gathering signatures and correcting technical errors.
This interactive session will provide an overview of person-centered thinking and planning concepts, as well some practical tools to aid in the process. It will include both cautionary tales and success stories that transformed people’s lives.
This training meets continuing education requirements for social workers as prescribed by the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing Chapter MPSW 19.
Registration Change: All trainings occurring after May 15, 2026 will be processed through a new online system which will require payment via credit/debit card at the time of registration. We will no longer be issuing invoices for training registrations. If you are a caregiver who is wanting a CLTS plan to cover the registration fee, email Michael Truman at mltruman@wisc.edu to coordinate this process. Do not register here.
Registration closes Monday, August 10 at 4:00 PM.
About the Presenter:
Monica Bear, MSSW, recently retired, spent her 40-year career supporting people with developmental disabilities to work, live and thrive in the community. For over three decades she worked for Dane County Human Services as a case manager, case manager supervisor and administrator of community-based programs for children and adults with disabilities.
Her passion for individualized, person-centered work began in the 1990’s, when helping adults in state institutions return to their home communities. As institutions down-sized, collaborating with families to ensure their children and young adults received the support necessary to remain at home, attend their neighborhood schools, leave high school with paid employment and eventually move out. Monica passionately believes that good lives begin with deep listening, solid relationships, big dreams and the opportunity to share one’s gifts. She is interested in the innumerable, and unique ways that people blend public funding, paid support, community connections and personal relationships to create meaningful lives and build stronger communities.
Community Outreach Wisconsin and the Waisman Center value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations for this event. Please contact Michael Truman at mltruman@wisc.edu to make a reasonable accommodation request. Requests must be submitted by July 29, 2026.