MN Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) Consultative Services

CFSS is a Medicaid program designed to help individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, and older adults to remain in their homes and communities by providing personalized services and supports, allowing greater independence and control over their care.

To qualify for CFSS, individuals must be eligible for Medical Assistance (MA) in Minnesota, have a need for assistance with daily living tasks due to a health condition, disability, or age-related challenges, and meet specific assessment criteria for the level of care.

CFSS provides support with activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and health-related tasks. These can include help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication management, and more.

Yes, CFSS offers participants the ability to hire their own workers, including family members or friends, giving them greater control over who provides their care and how those services are delivered.

CFSS replaces PCA services and expands on them by offering greater flexibility, including allowing participants to develop their own service plan and hire and manage their own staff. It also supports more complex health-related tasks.

CFSS replaces the PCA program by offering more flexibility and participant control. While both programs provide support with daily living activities, CFSS allows individuals to customize their service plans, manage their own care, and hire workers directly. Additionally, CFSS expands on PCA by supporting more complex health-related tasks, giving participants greater independence in managing their care.

CFSS takes over the CSG program by offering a similar level of control and budget flexibility but with enhanced support and broader service options. Unlike CSG, CFSS includes additional health-related services and gives participants the option to hire their own staff while still maintaining the ability to manage their personalized budget for care. This allows for a smoother, more comprehensive approach to meeting individual needs.

Service coordinators assist CFSS participants with setting up services, creating care plans, and ensuring that all needs are met. They help guide participants through the process of accessing and managing their supports.

Yes, CFSS can be used in conjunction with other Medicaid waiver programs, such as Elderly Waiver (EW) or Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waivers, to enhance the range of services available to participants.

Individuals can apply for CFSS through their local county or tribal agency or by contacting the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). An assessment will be conducted to determine eligibility and service needs.

Under CFSS, participants have the option to use a budget model, allowing them to manage a personalized budget to purchase the services and supports they need, including paying for staff and other necessary expenses.

Yes, workers hired through CFSS must complete mandatory training that covers topics like privacy, safety, and the specific needs of the individual they will be assisting. The training ensures quality and consistency in care.

CFSS is generally intended for individuals living in their own homes or with family. However, services may sometimes be provided in community settings, but they are not typically used in group homes or institutional settings.

The service plan is developed collaboratively between the participant and their chosen support team, based on the individual’s needs, goals, and preferences. The plan outlines the specific supports that will be provided.

The number of service hours provided is based on the individual’s assessment and identified needs. There is no specific hourly limit, but services must fall within the participant’s approved budget or authorization.

Yes, individuals currently enrolled in programs like PCA or Consumer Support Grant (CSG) can transition to CFSS. They should work with their service coordinator to ensure a smooth transition.

CFSS gives participants the tools and flexibility to manage their own care, choose their own caregivers, and tailor their services to their unique needs, promoting autonomy and empowering individuals to live more independently.