Expectations Matter: My Life, My Choice, My Plan!

A Person-Centered Planning Process

Expectations Matter: My Life, My Choice, My Plan offers free Person-Centered Planning Training and resources to people with developmental disabilities and family members. The training is delivered by people with disabilities and family members making this an important opportunity.

Person-Centered Planning helps people plan their life the way they want it! All people with disabilities with any level of support and family members attend these sessions to learn. People and family members are welcome to bring who they choose to the training. These sessions are free to West Virginians!

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Shared Support Maryland, Inc. would like to thank the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council for their generous grant for this project!

“We want the community to be working with us. We can’t do it without your help.”

— Delmar Davis

Live Training

Registration is now open for Expectations Matter Training created by and for people with disabilities and their families. All people with all support needs are invited to learn.

View All Upcoming Trainings

Are you interested in being a trainer? We’re recruiting! Contact us here to learn more.

 

Expectations Matter is Presenting the Opening Keynote at the WVARF State Conference!

Expectations Matter presenters Darla Ervin and Kevin Smith will be giving the Opening Keynote presentation at the WV Association of Rehabilitation Facilities state conference being held October 29–30 at Fairmont State University.

In her invitation, Nita Hobbs, CEO of WVARF, said:

"I’ve had the chance to hear your ‘Expectations Matter: My Life, My Choice, My Plan’ presentation, and I thought it was awesome. You explain person-centered planning in a way that’s real, powerful, and easy to understand."

About the Presenters: Expectations Matter: My Life, My Choice, My Plan includes a team of passionate self-advocates, led by Darla Ervin and Kevin Smith, who travel statewide to inspire people with disabilities and guide leaders in promoting person-centered planning. They bring powerful stories, practical advice, and a shared vision—helping everyone see that the freedom to choose and the power to plan belong to all.

About WVARF: The West Virginia Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (WVARF) partners with Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) to create and sustain employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. CRPs deliver essential goods and services to public agencies while providing meaningful, skill-building jobs that empower individuals to thrive in their communities.

About the Conference: The Reignite, Reinvest, Reconnect conference takes place October 29–30 at Fairmont State University. This two-day event brings together CRP leaders, partners, and professionals to share expertise, strengthen operations, and build community. Through collaborative sessions and practical training, we’ll reignite passion, reinvest in growth, and reconnect to advance employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities across West Virginia.

Free Admission for State Use Program Members!

Register and learn more about the conference and the presenters at the link below.

Conference Website

“People with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities can have a voice in their life instead of being told what they will do … or what they will get in services. And we feel that everybody should have a say in their own lives. Because no one lives in your body but you.”

- Delmar Davis, Darla Irvin, and Kevin Smith

What is Person-Centered Planning?

Person-Centered Planning helps people plan their life the way they want it!

We have to talk about our planning and purpose and encourage others to be themselves.
— Lynsay Frye

Review this one page summary to see the steps to Person-Centered Planning.

Download the One-Pager
 
The Circle of Person-Centered Planning. It begins with "Rights: You own your plan," then moves to "Get ready: choose your team," then moves to "Plan: turn your dreams into action," and finishes with "Follow up: keep your team accountable.