Code of Maine Rules
14 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
197 - OFFICE OF AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES
Chapter 5 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT, MODIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES OR AUTISM IN MAINE
Appendix 197-5-TWO - POSITIVE SUPPORT PLAN REQUIREMENTS
The Planning Team must develop a Positive Support Plan as a component of the Personal Plan that supports individual growth, enhances quality of life, and attempts to decrease or eliminate the need for more restrictive measures. The Person must be involved to the greatest degree possible in the development of the Positive Support Plan.
A. A Positive Support Plan must address and when needed develop strategies for implementing the following:
1. Recommendations for improving the general quality of a Person's life;
2. Recommendations for more meaningful activities for the Person;
3. Identification of events and environmental factors that are likely to provoke the Challenging Behavior and steps to reduce them;
4. Strategies for teaching the Person skills to meet his or her needs without resorting to Challenging Behavior;
5. Strategies and training for staff to interact with the Person when the Person is exhibiting Challenging Behavior;
6. Strategies and training for staff to implement Positive Behavior Modification Techniques when identified as a need;
7. Evaluation and treatment for medical, psychiatric or neurological issues;
8. Support for self-direction and building relationships;
9. Modifications to the physical and interpersonal environment if necessary; and
10. Strategies to address communication barriers and a plan to enhance the Person's ability to communicate.
B. If the Planning Team includes Positive Behavior Modification Techniques in the Positive Support Plan, those techniques must be to help the Person learn alternatives to the Challenging Behavior. If Positive Behavior Modification Techniques are implemented:
1. The Planning Team must seek to implement naturally occurring Reinforcers, as a basis for sustained, desired behavior change.
2. The Planning Team must strive to avoid artificial Reinforcement plans, including but not limited to token economies. Removal of earned Reinforcers is not permitted.
3. When a Positive Support Plan includes the use of artificial Reinforcers, the Planning Team must include a written transition plan to move toward more natural Reinforcers and personal control.
