Frequently asked questions

•  How is CFSS similar to PCA?

  The eligibility requirements for CFSS will be the same as PCA. The person must:

  • Live in his or her own home
  • Be able to direct care or have a representative who can direct care on his/her behalf
  • Be on one of Minnesota’s health care programs
  • Have an assessment that determines he/she is eligible.

  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 medications
  • Observation and redirection of behavior.
•  How is CFSS different from PCA?

  People who use CFSS will have more options and supports:

  • Unlike PCA, in CFSS a person’s spouse or the parent of a minor may serve as that person’s support worker.
  • People may choose to purchase goods to aid in their independence.
  • The CFSS budget model allows people to choose to be the employer of their support workers.
  • The state provides a budget that the provider agency or the person may use to train workers on the individual needs of the person.
  • The consultation services provider will provide education and support in writing the person’s plan.

  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 his/her worker, including the person’s spouse or the parent of a minor
  • Writes the plan with assistance from the consultation services provider as desired
  • May purchase goods.

  In the agency provider model, the person selects an agency that serves as the workers’ employer. This means the agencies will recruit, hire, train, supervise and pay CFSS support workers.

  In the budget model, CFSS participants are the employers of their own support workers. They will have a budget rather than service units. Participants will recruit, hire, train and supervise their support workers. The person will select a financial management services (FMS) provider to help the person comply with applicable laws.

•  How do I transition from PCA to CFSS?

  When Minnesota gets final federal approval for CFSS, DHS will provide information about the transition plans and time frame. DHS will transition people gradually over the course of the year to ensure no disruption of services. As implementation approaches, DHS will communicate with people who provide and receive PCA services.

•  What will the transition look like for people using the Consumer Support Grant?

  In the CFSS budget model, people who use CSG will get a budget to spend on goods and services covered by CFSS. People who use CSG may also choose to use the agency model. Currently, a person’s CSG budget is equivalent to half of the PCA units for which the person’s assessment found him/her eligible. This is because Minnesota does not get federal funding for CSG. In CFSS, a former CSG participant will have access to dollars or units roughly equivalent to twice his or her budget in CSG.

•  How do I start a CFSS agency?

  DHS is not enrolling CFSS agencies currently.

  If you own a PCA agency, you will need to complete an online training on the differences between the two programs. DHS has not posted this training yet.

  As the implementation date approaches, DHS will stop enrolling new PCA agencies and start enrolling new CFSS agencies. The basic requirements to become a CFSS agency will be the same as the basic requirements to become a PCA agency.

•  How do I start a financial management services provider agency?

  All FMS providers must have a contract with DHS. Current FMS providers successfully responded to DHS’s request for proposals (RFP) and currently provide FMS services in other DHS programs. DHS will issue additional requests for proposals in the future. Existing and new FMS providers may apply at that time.

•  How do I start a consultation services provider agency?

  All consultation services providers must have a contract with DHS. DHS will issue an RFP in the future. Agencies who wish to provide consultation services may apply at that time.

•  How is the public involved?

  The 24-member CFSS Implementation Council meets quarterly at the Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building, 540 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55101, in March, June, September and December. Meetings are open to the public. We will post agendas to this page before each meeting.

  2020 meeting schedule:

  • June 15, 10 a.m. to noon, Room 2370
  • Sept. 21, 1 to 3 p.m., Room 2380
  • Dec. 21, 1 to 3 p.m., Room 2370

  For information about the implementation council, see the Minnesota Secretary of State’s webpage for the CFSS implementation council.

  The public is welcome to attend and observe implementation council meetings. To sign up for email notifications about council meetings, use this online form. 

  Closer to implementation, DHS will have public comment periods for various aspects of program implementation.

•  Whom do I contact for more information?

  Email us at DHS.CFSS@state.mn.us.

•  How can I learn more about CFSS?

  DHS has prepared two trainings for people who want to learn more about CFSS.

  • The first is a short video to introduce you to the topic.
  • The second is an interactive training that gives you more information.