Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) offers flexible options for participants, giving them opportunities for greater independence in their homes and communities. CFSS replaces personal care assistance (PCA) and Consumer Support Grant (CSG).

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Service Delivery Models for CFSS Participants

Participants must choose between one of the following Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) service delivery models:

1. CFSS Agency Model

• The lead agency authorizes service units (1 unit = 15 minutes of service) for the CFSS participant to the CFSS provider agency.

• The participant or participant’s representative selects a CFSS provider agency, which serves as the employer of the CFSS worker.

• The CFSS provider agency is responsible for:

  • Recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and paying CFSS support workers.

• Both the CFSS participant and CFSS provider agency must monitor the effectiveness of the service delivery plan together.

• If the participant purchases goods or services, they must also select an FMS provider.

2. CFSS Budget Model

• The lead agency authorizes a budgeted dollar amount for the participant.

• The participant serves as the employer and is responsible for:

  • Recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising their support workers.

• The participant must select an FMS provider to assist with employer-related tasks.

• The CFSS participant or participant’s representative is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the service delivery plan.

Switching Between CFSS Service Models

If a participant wishes to switch service models, they must:

1. Work with their consultation services provider to update their CFSS service delivery plan.

2. The consultation services provider submits the revised plan to the lead agency for approval.

3. The lead agency approves the plan and updates the participant’s service agreement accordingly.

Shared Service Option for CFSS

• Participants may choose to receive services at the same time and in the same setting as another CFSS participant from the same CFSS worker.

• To qualify for shared services, participants must:

  • Use the same service delivery model (Agency Model or Budget Model).

  • Use the same CFSS provider agency or FMS provider.

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Qualifications for CFSS

An individual must meet the following requirements in order to qualify for CFSS:

1.  you must be enrolled in a Minnesota health care program 

2. Live in your own home (not a facility)

3.  Be able to direct your own care (or have a representative) 

4. Have a need for assistance with daily living tasks due to a health condition, disability, or age-related challenges

Personal Support Services

Services vary according to individualized service plans.

1. Assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), such as meal planning, preparation, and cooking; shopping for food, clothing, or other essential items; laundry; housecleaning; assistance with medications; managing finances; communicating needs and preferences during activities; arranging supports; and assistance with traveling around and participating in the community

2. Assistance with health-related procedures and tasks that can be taught or assigned by a state-licensed health care or mental health professional and performed by a support worker

3. Expenditures for items, services, supports, environmental modifications, or goods, including, assistive technology

4. Adaptive skills training and techniques taught to maximize the independence of our clients

5. Assistance with activities of daily living, including eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, mobility, positioning, and transferring

6. Observation and redirection for behavior or symptoms when there is a need for assistance

7. Back-up systems or mechanisms, such as the use of pagers or other electronic devices, to ensure, continuity of the participant’s services and supports

8. Services of up to 40 hours per seven-day period provided by a support worker who is a parent, step-parent, or legal guardian of a participant who is under age 18, or who is the participant’s spouse, regardless of the number of parents providing services, combination of parents and spouses providing services, or number of children who receive MA services

9. And more

Personal Care Assistance can help with “activities of daily living” such as dressing, grooming, eating, bathing, transfers, mobility, positioning and toileting, as well as other health related tasks, redirection of
behaviors, and “instrumental activities of daily living” such as light housekeeping, laundry and meal preparation for adults.

 

Personal Care Choice is a program which enables individuals to independently recruit, hire and train the PCAs who provide their care. The PCA Choice option gives individuals a greater level of responsibility in managing their own care while allowing Independent Living Partners LLC act as a fiscal intermediary to assist in handling the employment and management-related functions of their PCA. The PCA Choice provider jointly employs the PCA, bills for the services and pays the PCA and the qualified professional.

What are your responsibilities as a client or responsible party of PCA Choice Services?

• Providing back-up staff as needed.

• Providing daily supervision and scheduling PCA staff.

• Monitoring and evaluating PCA staff.

• Maintaining documentation of the PCA tasks and services.

• Verifying and signing PCAs timesheets.

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What are the Required Qualifications for PCAs?

• Be able to provide the authorized cares found in the client’s care plan.

• Pass a criminal background check, and qualify for a PCA provider number from the Minnesota Department of Human services.

• Be willing to enter into a written agreement with the client and the PCA Choice provider that outlines their roles and responsibilities.

• Comply with current state laws and regulations regarding PCA services.

• Be 18 years old, or be 16 or 17 years old with additional training.

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