For people and families planning community participation
What should we discuss before an IHS-supported community activity?
Begin with somewhere the person actually wants to go. Then work through participation, travel, costs, access and the assistance requested. Keep the activity goal distinct from transport arrangements: choosing an outing does not establish who can drive, which costs are covered, or which support is authorized.
Choose participation before logistics
Ask what would make the activity worthwhile: meeting someone, browsing a library, attending a group or doing an errand. An outing can be technically successful while missing the person’s reason for going. Include their preferred length of visit and whether they want company throughout or space to participate independently.
Check current opening hours, accessibility and reservations directly with the venue. Do not assume a provider has an agreement with a location simply because it appears on a planning sheet.
Identify the help and the open questions
Write down where assistance may be helpful: preparing for the activity, arriving, finding information or returning home. Ask the provider to discuss the request against the person’s plan and Minnesota’s IHS service definition. Confirm transport responsibilities, expenses and any arrangements for a change of plans.
Review the experience with the person
After the activity, ask what they would keep or change. A preference for a quieter time or a shorter visit may be more useful than a general rating. Record the person’s own view separately from observations made by family or staff. Agree which practical details need updating before the next outing.
Community participation brief
Download this editable worksheet, add your notes, and bring it to the relevant planning conversation. Leave unknown details blank and identify who can confirm them.
Download worksheet (.txt)- Chosen activity
- Where does the person want to go, and what do they want to do there?
- Participation preference
- How much company or assistance do they want during the activity?
- Access and timing
- What needs checking with the venue before setting a date?
- Travel and expenses
- Who will confirm transport, fares, entry costs and payment responsibility?
- Alternative plan
- What would the person prefer if the activity is cancelled or they want to leave?
An optional discussion tool, not an official assessment, authorization, service plan, or emergency plan. Keep completed copies private and share through an agreed channel.
Illustrative planning example
A person wants to attend a library discussion group. Their goal is joining the conversation, not merely arriving at the building. The team asks about introductions, a quieter seating option and the return trip, then confirms which assistance fits the plan.
This example is invented to explain the worksheet; it is not a client story or a promised outcome.
Your next step
Use the brief to discuss service fit and practical arrangements with the provider. Ask the person to approve the activity choice before a booking is made.
For a conversation with Clemens Health about your Twin Cities location, call (651) 354-1196 or send a referral. Service fit, authorization, and staffing need to be confirmed.
Minnesota resources
State resources explain program rules. The worksheet and examples are Clemens Health planning aids. Links were checked October 5, 2026; follow the current state guidance for eligibility and service questions.