Community First Services and Supports

Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) is a Minnesota health care program that offers flexible options to meet the unique needs of people. CFSS allows people greater independence in their homes and communities. CFSS will replace personal care assistance (PCA) and the Consumer Support Grant (CSG).

CFSS will cover the same main services as PCA:

Activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, grooming and transferring
Health-related tasks
Instrumental activities of daily living, such as shopping, cooking, laundry and assistance with self-administered medications
Observation and redirection of behavior.

More options
Service models
Timeline
Eligibility
Training
Meetings
Learn more

More options and supports

People who use CFSS will have more options and supports:
- People who want to continue to receive support from a provider agency may still do so using the CFSS agency model
- The CFSS budget model allows people more choice and control as the employer of their support workers.
These new options are available in either model:
- In CFSS, a person’s spouse or the parent of a minor may serve as that person’s support worker
- A person who uses CFSS may serve as the support worker for another person who uses CFSS
- People may choose to buy goods and services to aid in their independence
- People may choose to buy a personal emergency response system (PERS) to provide backup support
- The state provides a worker training and development budget that the provider agency (agency model) or the person (budget model) may use to train workers on the individual needs of the person
- The consultation services provider will provide education on the person’s options and support in writing their service delivery plan.
DHS has prepared several interactive videos for people who want to learn more about CFSS. Click the Training tab for links.
Service delivery models

CFSS will have two service delivery models, the agency provider model and the budget model. In both models, the person:
- Directs care
- Has a say in selecting their worker, including the person’s spouse, the parent of a minor or another person who uses CFSS services
- Writes their service-delivery plan with help from their consultation services provider as desired
- May buy goods and services
- May buy a personal emergency response system (PERS).
In the agency provider model, the person selects an agency that serves as their workers’ employer. This means the agencies will recruit, hire, train, supervise and pay CFSS support workers.

In the budget model, the person is the employer of their support workers. They will have a budget rather than service units. People who use the budget model will recruit, hire, train and supervise their support workers. The person will select a financial management services (FMS) provider to help the person with payroll.

Each model offers different levels of responsibility for people who receive services. Both models allow people the most control possible to select and obtain services.
Timeline

DHS is preparing to move to CFSS in 2023.

When the federal government approves CFSS, DHS will provide information about the transition plans and time frame. Counties, tribal nations and managed care organizations will transition people at their yearly reassessment to ensure there is no disruption of services. As the start of CFSS approaches, DHS will communicate with people who use and provide PCA and CSG services, lead agencies and other interested parties.

DHS will provide updates on the launch date on this page and via eList email messages. Sign up for email messages under the More information tab.
Eligibility

The eligibility requirements for CFSS will be the same as PCA. A person eligible for PCA will also be eligible for CFSS unless they have a change in their condition. The person must:
- Live in the community and not a facility such as a skilled nursing home
- Be able to direct care or have a representative who can direct care on their behalf
- 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
- Have an assessment that determines they are eligible
- Not be using the Family Support Grant.
Training

These training videos provide general information for people who use CFSS, their families and other interested parties:
CFSS providers and lead agency staff will have specific training requirements that DHS will communicate when they are available.
Implementation council

The 24-member CFSS Implementation Council meets quarterly. Meetings are online only and open to the public.

2023 meetings
- 1:30 p.m., March 8. Register for the meeting here
- 1:30 p.m., June 14. Register for the meeting here
- 1:30 p.m., Sept. 13. Register for the meeting here
- 1:30 p.m., Dec. 13. Register for the meeting here
For information about the membership of the implementation council, see the Minnesota secretary of state’s webpage for the CFSS Implementation Council.

To sign up for email notifications about council meetings, use this online form.
More information
- For more information about the CFSS transition, visit the CFSS frequently asked questions webpage
- Email us at DHS.CFSS@state.mn.us
- Sign up for email updates using the form below.
Email updates
To sign up for CFSS updates or to access your subscriber preferences, enter your email address below.
1. Email address