Community First Services and Support (CFSS) has replaced the PCA Choice and CSG Programs

Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) is a new program offered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. CFSS has replaced the Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Choice program and the Consumer Support Grant (CSG) benefit as of October 1, 2024. CFSS is designed to offer more flexibility, control and support for your unique home care needs. You can learn more about CFSS here.

When will the change to CFSS take effect?

CFSS started to replace the current PCA and CSG programs starting October 1, 2024. If you use either of these services, these changes will occur during the recipient’s annual assessment over the remainder of 2024 and into 2025.

What do I need to do to transfer services to CFSS?

At this time, there is nothing you need to do. When your annual reassessment takes place, your agency will give you more information on CFSS and a consultation provider will help you learn about your options.

What are Consultation Services?

Consultation Services will help you to better understand CFSS. This service is here to assist you in making informed decisions about your care, provide information about the delivery of your services and further explain how your funding is spent. In addition, Consultation Services will assist in writing a service delivery plan that meets your needs and preferences.

What stays the same and what changes?

CFSS will give you more choice and control over your services. You will have to decide which of the two delivery model options you want to use: Agency Model or Budget Model. Both models offer various levels of responsibility. Below is an explanation of how these models differ.

  1. Agency Model – you select an agency to serve as the employer for your support workers, and the agency is responsible for the recruitment, hiring, training and supervision of the support workers.
  2. Budget Model – you are the employer for your support workers. You will recruit, hire, train and supervise the support workers. You will also choose a Financial Management Service (FMS) to help with payroll and other administrative tasks.
Both models allow individuals to:
  • Direct their care
  • Have a say in selecting their worker, including the person’s spouse, the parent of a minor or another person who uses CFSS services
  • Use a Consultation Service Provider to help create their service-delivery plan
  • Use funding to buy goods and services that aid in independence
  • Use funding to buy a personal emergency response system (PERS)
  • Utilize a budget for training and development for caregivers on the personalized needs of the individual receiving services provided by the state
I use CSG. What will be the same and what changes should I expect?

Many things will stay the same with CFSS if you are using CSG. This includes options to:

  • Have a spouse or parent of a minor serve as workers
  • Have a person using CFSS act as your worker
  • Have a budget and serve as the employer to your workers
  • Buy goods and services to aid in independence
  • Buy a personal emergency response system (PERS)
What are the eligibility requirements for CFSS?

Eligibility will remain the same as it is for the current PCA Choice and CSG programs. Requirements include:

  • Must live in the community and not a facility, such as a skilled nursing home
  • Must be able to direct care or have a representative that can direct care on their behalf
  • Must be enrolled in Medical Assistance (MA), a MA Waiver, the Alternative Care Program, or potentially MinnesotaCare
  • Assessment indicates eligibility for PCA Choice services
  • Must not be using the Family Support Grant

Laura Baker Services Association’s Family Navigation Services Program is here to support you and your family. We help people reach their individual and unique goals. Our team can help connect you with resources and tools for taking the next step. If you or someone you know are struggling to meet goals, find resources and/or services, or need help navigating the healthcare system, schedule a free consultation to learn how Family Navigation may be able to help.