The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has been in the process of switching Personal Care Assistance (PCA) to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). Find some of our frequently asked questions and answers, as well as additional information about this change below.
1What Is CFSS?
Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) is a Minnesota program that helps people get support so they can live safely and independently at home and in their community.
CFSS is replacing two older programs:
-Personal Care Assistance (PCA)
-Consumer Support Grant (CSG)
The program started on October 1, 2024.
2What Services Does CFSS Cover?
CFSS helps with everyday tasks such as:
-Eating
-Bathing and grooming
-Moving around safely
-Shopping
-Cooking
-Laundry
-Taking medications
-Watching for safety and helping redirect behavior when needed
3What Makes CFSS Different?
CFSS gives people more choice and control over their care and support workers.
People can choose between two options:
1. Agency Model
A provider agency hires and manages the workers for you.
The agency:
-Hires workers
-Trains workers
-Schedules workers
-Pays workers
2. Budget Model
You become the employer of your own workers.
You must:
-Hire your own workers
-Train and supervise workers
-Choose how your budget is used
-A Financial Management Services (FMS) provider helps with payroll and paperwork.
Extra Choices Under CFSS:
With CFSS, people may also:
-Hire a spouse or parent of a minor child as a worker
-Be a support worker for another person using CFSS
-Buy helpful items or services that increase independence
-Purchase a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) for emergency backup support
-Use training funds to help workers better understand individual needs
-Get help from a consultation services provider to create a service plan
4Who Can Get CFSS?
A person may qualify for CFSS if they:
-Live at home or in the community (not in a nursing home or facility)
-Can direct their own care, or have someone who can help direct care for them
-Have Medical Assistance (MA) or another qualifying Minnesota health care program
-Complete an assessment showing they qualify
-Are not using the Family Support Grant
-People who already qualify for PCA will usually also qualify for CFSS.
5Already using PCA with us? Here’s what you need to know.
Before transitioning to CFSS, you must have a consultation. The state has contracted several agencies that perform this service. A full list can be found here: https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/programs-and-services/cfss-consultation-services.jsp
Consultation service providers will inform and educate people about CFSS and the two different models. They will also assist in writing your Service Delivery Plan (formerly referred to as a care plan).
All people transitioning from PCA to CFSS must select a consultation provider and have a consultation done. This is necessary for the continuation of your personal care services.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has set forth a transition deadline of September 30th, 2027. If you are still currently receiving PCA and have not had a consultation, or if you were previously unaware of this transition, please contact one of the consultation providers listed at the link above to start the process.
Should you have any questions about the CFSS transition and how this affects your current PCA services with us, please call us at 612-866-4884. Alternatively, please contact your case manager or the county in which you reside.
6Where can I learn more?
Below is a list of helpful links to learn more about CFSS.
(https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/programs-and-services/cfss.jsp)
(https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/programs-and-services/cfss-faq.jsp)
(https://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&dDocName=cfss-000102)