Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)

Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)

Community First Supports and Services (CFSS) is a new self-directed service that will replace the Consumer Support Grant (CSG) and the Personal Care Assistance (PCA) programs. All CSG and PCA participants will transition to CFSS with their reassessment occurring on October 1st, 2024, or later.

A certified MnCHOICES assessor conducts a MnCHOICES assessment to determine an individual's eligibility for CFSS. In addition to the assessment, to be eligible for CFSS a person must live in the community and be enrolled in one of Minnesota’s health care programs: Medical Assistance (MA), an MA waiver, the Alternative Care program and some people on MinnesotaCare.

Individuals must meet certain criteria to qualify for the CFSS program. CFSS can provide help for:

  • Activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, grooming, bathing, transfers, mobility, positioning and toileting
  • Complex health related tasks such as tube feeding or interventions for seizures
  • Observation and redirection of some behaviors to help a person remain safe in their environment
  • Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) such as accompany to medical appointments or out into the community, assist paying bills, complete household tasks related to the ADL needs, plan and prepare meals and shop for food and clothing and other essential items.

Two Service-Delivery Models

In BOTH models the person directs care. They choose workers and write a service plan with the help from a consultation service provider. They may also buy approved goods and services.

  • Agency Provider Model: Person selects an agency that serves as their worker’s employer. The agency then recruits, hires, trains, supervises, and pays the support worker. Units will be authorized for them to bill and pay the worker.
  • Budget Model: (Similar to current CSG program) Person is the employer of their support workers. They will be responsible to recruit, hire, train, and supervise their workers. A Financial Management Service (FMS) agency will manage the payroll. Rather than service units, the person will have a budget for staff hours and good and services.

Consultation Services

All people using CFSS will have a new required service, Consultation Services. Consultation Services provider will explain CFSS. They will help people choose which options will work best. Everyone will have a written service delivery plan. Consultation services can help people write the plan. A consultation service provider will review and approve the plan. The provider will then send it to the county for final approval and authorization.

Licensing

A CFSS staff under the agency model is an individual employed by a CFSS agency licensed thru the Department of Human Services (DHS). They must be age 18 or older, passed a criminal background study, be enrolled as a CFSS staff with DHS, completed training and orientation requirements and be under the supervision of a qualified professional.

Resources

Community First Services and Supports / Minnesota Department of Human Services (mn.gov)

DHS-8477A-ENG (Community First Services and Supports [CFSS] Information Flyer) (state.mn.us)

Disability Hub MN - Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)

What is community first services and supports? (Online Training)