Planning Live 2026

Person-Centered Planning Facilitator Training

About Planning Live

Planning Live was developed by Helen Sanderson Associates as an inclusive and engaging series of conversations that brings all the people who are important to a person together, either in-person or remotely, to listen to what is important to them and discuss a range of options that culminate in desired outcomes and actions on which to base the planning of the person’s support. 

Planning Live draws on skills, principles, and practices from the Learning Community for Person-Centered Practices, Michael Smull, John O’Brien, Beth Mount, Charting the LifeCourse, and Helen Sanderson Associates. These approaches are aligned with the skills needed to meet HCBS requirements for person-centered planning, the competencies defined by the National Center for the Advancement of Person-Centered Practices, and the provision for person-centered planning to support people who are transitioning to the self-determination program.

Participants will:

• Learn and practice five phases of person-centered planning, including Pre-planning, Discovery, Positive Change, Outcomes and Actions, Supports, and Spending Plans.
• Develop a one-page profile, person-centered description, and person-centered plan with a partner.
• Practice facilitating planning sessions using provided scenarios.
• Facilitate a person-centered plan with someone you support and receive feedback.

Things to consider:

• Participants must have completed Person Centered Thinking training (recognized by the Learning Community for Person Centered Practices) in the last three years. Planning Live participants who have not yet completed Person Centered Thinking, may enroll in an online HSA course, PCT for Everyone, at no additional cost.
• All participants will facilitate a person-centered plan and receive coaching and feedback.
• Participants must attend weekly sessions and complete all assignments to receive a Certificate of Completion. When you miss a session, it impacts not only you but your partner as well.
• Online participation is important. Participants must have reliable internet, a computer/device with a video camera and microphone capability, and the ability to use electronic documents.

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“I really appreciate that the course was front-loaded with information about how to support individuals that do not use words to communicate.” – Rhiannon, Training Specialist & PCT Trainer

“The training has been both inspirational and empowering! I’ve been implementing what we’ve gone over with the people I currently support and it all I can think is where has this been?!” – Kasandra, Person Centered Trainer

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Resource Materials and Coaching:

Planning Live Facilitator Resource Packs
Each participant will receive the following resources: (Planning Live Resource Guide, PCT Key Points and Top Tips Booklet, Planning Live Conversation Cards, Planning Live Participant Coursebook, Person-Centered Risk Resource Cards) Participants will have access to all training materials, PowerPoint decks, trainer notes, etc. to use to coach others within their organization.

Plan Facilitation Coaching
Each facilitator will receive coaching to review the one-page profile and to review the person-centered plan. Coaching calls are designed to:

• Give the participants an opportunity to ask any questions to clarify the content and process.
• Check that the preparation and discovery work has been completed.
• To support the participants to problem-solve before, during, and after the planning process.
• Review work samples and provide feedback

Time Commitment: View the 2026 Cohort Syllabus

We will meet weekly on Tuesdays from 9am – 12pm PST and on Thursdays from 1:00pm -2:30pm PST Orientation session will be on March 26, 2026 from 9:30am – 10:30am PST

Cost:

$6,900 per person

 

Meet the Instructors:

Andrea Schacht is a Person-Centered Thinking Mentor Trainer, plan facilitator, and graphic recorder who brings decades of professional and lived experience along with warmth, creativity, and clarity to make person-centered work engaging, real, and accessible.

Shawna Hall is a certified Person-Centered Thinking Trainer and a self-advocate who ensures the voices of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are heard. She draws on her lived experience and her certification as a Spiritual Director to bring authenticity to person-centered work.