Community First Services and Supports (CFSS): A Guide

CFSS Key Takeaways

Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) offers more flexibility, independence, and control than PCA.
You can choose between two models: the agency model or the budget model.
People who use CFSS can hire their spouses or parents as paid support workers.
With CFSS, you can buy goods and services to support your independence.
The transition to CFSS will begin on October 1, 2024, and you will not lose services during the process.
Consultation services providers walk you through the transition process and help you write your service delivery plan.

What is CFSS, and how does it work?

Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) is a Minnesota program. It’s designed to help people live more independently at home and in their communities. CFSS will replace the current Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and Consumer Support Grant (CSG) programs. It offers more flexible options and better control over your services. The transition to CFSS begins on October 1, 2024.

Services Covered by CFSS

CFSS covers many of the same services as PCA, including help with:

Daily living activities (eating, bathing, grooming, mobility)
Health-related tasks (medication, exercises, monitoring disorders)
Household chores (cooking, laundry, shopping)
Observing and redirecting behavior

An image with text. It repeats the Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) services.

How CFSS Offers You More Choices and Support

While CFSS will provide many of the same services as PCA, it includes new options. You can continue to receive services through a provider agency, or you can use the budget model. Regardless of the budget model you choose, you’ll be able to:

An older couple sit outside on a weathered wood deck. The man wears wellies and the women has a yellow shirt. They both wear jeans. Two black dogs sit in front of them. One dog is eating a treat from the man's hand.

Hire Family Members

Your spouse or the parent of a minor can now serve as your paid support worker.

Buy Goods and Services

You can buy goods and services that help you live more independently. This includes assistive technology or emergency response systems.

Access Training

CFSS includes a budget for training to make sure support workers are well-prepared. Your provider agency will use the budget (in the agency model) or you can use the budget (in the budget model).

Customize Your Service Delivery Plan

You’ll work with a consultation provider (such as Harry Meyering Center) to create your service delivery plan.

The Differences Between the Budget and Agency Models

Budget Model: Community First Services and Supports

You receive a budget to become the employer of your support workers. This gives you full control over hiring, training, and managing your own staff. A financial management services provider (FMS) will help you with payroll. This is a good choice if you want full control over choosing the wages and hours for your employees.

Agency Provider Model: Community First Services and Supports

You select an agency to employ your support workers. The agency handles everything for you. This includes recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and paying your workers. This is a good choice if you want to spend less time on administrative work and more time doing what you love.

Eligibility for Community First Services and Supports

To qualify for CFSS, you must:

Not live in a nursing facility.
Be able to direct your own support or have a representative direct support for you.
Be enrolled in one of Minnesota’s health care programs. This includes Medical Assistance (MA), an MA waiver, the Alternative Care program, or MinnesotaCare.
Get a MNChoices assessment (the lead agency does this assessment)
Not be using the Family Support Grant.

If you are currently receiving PCA or CSG services and your condition remains the same, you will automatically qualify for CFSS.

A mom sits on the couch with her two redheaded toddlers. Because of Community First Services and Supports, she was able to get paid to provide her kids the support they needed to thrive. — *Under CFSS, parents can be hired to take care of their children. Paid parents of minors (PPOM) can spend more time with their loved ones and make sure they get the best care possible.*

How to Transition to CFSS

The transition from PCA and CSG to CFSS will begin on October 1, 2024. If you are currently using PCA or CSG, you’ll get more information at your annual reassessment. Your assessor will provide more information on the transition process.

How Consultation Services Providers Help You Through the Transition

Consultation services providers help you find services and supports in your community. They know about different resources and can guide you to the right services for your needs. Under Community First Services and Supports (CFSS), your consultation providers will help you create a service plan that fits your budget and meets your needs.

Some agencies offer both homecare services and consultative services. With CFSS, your consultation provider cannot be the same as the agency that is your CFSS provider agency or financial management service (FMS). This means you’ll have to work with two different providers. One will be your consultation provider, and one will be your CFSS provider agency or FMS.

Everyone using CFSS must choose a consultation provider, but you can decide how much help you need from them.

About Consultation Providers

About CFSS Service Plans

How Consultant Services Providers Should Help You

Consultation providers are deeply knowledgeable about your services. Your facilitator should make sure you…

Have the education, information, and assistance you need to make informed choices.
Choose to have a representative who is authorized to act on your behalf in making the decision for CFSS.
Understand the service delivery models and choose the one that best meets your needs.
Develop a person-centered service plan, goals, and outcomes that fit your lifestyle.
Get information about monitoring and evaluating services.

And even after your service plan gets approved, your consultation provider will support you. They’ll check in with you to make sure the program continues to meet your needs.

Why Choose Harry Meyering Center as Your Consultation Provider for CFSS

An older woman crosses a bridge using a walker. She wears a long cream jacket. She's able to make choices that support her because of Community First Services and Supports.

Get Your Plan Approved With No Delays

Our team’s extensive background in financial management services means that we know how to help you handle your budget, hours, and staffing.

Grow Alongside People Who Get You

We’re staffed by people that use the services. We understand in a way that other people don’t, because we’re walking through the process ourselves.

We’re People Who Value People

As a non-profit, we’re not here to sell anything–we’re here to support you. We want to get to know you, from your favorite service model to your pet’s name.

We’re Just a Text or Call Away

Choose the communication option you’re most comfortable with. Get services started or ask your facilitator questions by texting or calling.

Want to learn more about CFSS?

Get Access to Videos and Resources for Community First Services and Supports

DHS provides videos and resources to help people learn more about CFSS. You can watch these videos or check out these flyers to better understand the program and what it means for you.

See All DHS Resources

Review and Download Helpful Flyers About CFSS and Consultation Service Providers by Harry Meyering Center

We want to support you throughout the transition. Please feel free to download and use the PDFs to help you along the way.

Learn Your Options for Consultation Services Providers

DHS has a list of consultation services providers you can choose from. Just remember that the consultation provider you choose has to be a different agency than your CFSS services provider or FMS.

See the DHS List