The Center for Positive Living Supports was established in early 2009 in response to the need for a “safety net” for those individuals who were being discharged from Mt. Pleasant Center (MPC), Michigan’s last public institution that housed individuals with developmental disabilities.  MPC closed on September 10^th 2009 with all but 10 of its former residents returned to their home communities.

The Center’s services are designed to assist in the support of individuals at risk of being placed in a more restrictive environment.  The two major service components offered by the Center include a statewide training initiative and individualized crisis response services.  These services are for Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSPs) who are committed to and have initiated training efforts in creating a “culture of gentleness” for those individuals served.

The Center’s activities focus on supporting relationship-building in safe, respectful and nurturing environments.  The goal is to facilitate successful community living by validating each individual’s humanity, offering an environment where the person feels safe and building connections to others.