EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS TO CHOOSE AND MANAGE THEIR OWN CARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Consumer Directed Community Support (CDCS) Services in Minnesota offer individuals and families the flexibility to choose and direct the services they need to live independently in their communities. CDCS allows people with disabilities and their families to manage a budget and hire support staff directly. These services are provided under Minnesota’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers.
1. GOVERNING AGENCIES
Agency: Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)
Role: Administers CDCS programs through HCBS Waivers, providing guidelines and oversight
Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight and ensures waiver compliance
2. CDCS SERVICE OVERVIEW
CDCS Services focus on giving individuals and families more control over the support they receive, including hiring and training their own care providers. Services are customized based on the Person-Centered Plan (PCP) and may include:
- Personal assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Respite care for primary caregivers
- Homemaker and chore services
- Assistive technology and adaptive equipment
- Health-related supports and therapies
- Community participation and social engagement
3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites:
- Register business with the Minnesota Secretary of State
- Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
- Enroll as a Medicaid provider with the Minnesota Department of Human Services
- Obtain Financial Management Services (FMS) provider approval (if managing budgets)
- Maintain liability insurance and documentation of staff qualifications
4. MEDICAID PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Step 1: Pre-Application Contact
- Contact the Minnesota Department of Human Services to understand CDCS provider requirements
Step 2: Application Submission
- Submit business registration, FMS approval, liability insurance, and service descriptions
Step 3: License Verification
- Ensure compliance with Minnesota’s guidelines for consumer-directed services
Step 4: Approval and Medicaid Number Assignment
- Once approved, receive a Medicaid provider number and authorization to deliver services
5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
- Articles of Incorporation or Business Name Registration
- IRS EIN Letter
- NPI confirmation
- FMS provider approval (if applicable)
- Liability insurance certificate
Policy & procedure manual including:
- Client-directed care planning and budgeting
- Staff hiring and training documentation
- Safety and risk management protocols
- Financial tracking and reporting methods
- Client rights, grievance procedures, and service agreements
6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
Role: CDCS Program Coordinator
Requirements: Experience in self-directed care or disability services
Role: Direct Support Worker
Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Background check and TB clearance
- Training in client-centered support and personal care
Training Requirements:
- Self-direction principles and client autonomy
- Budget management and service planning
- Safety and emergency response
- Cultural competence and communication skills
7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES
CDCS Services in Minnesota are available through:
- 1915(c) HCBS Waiver for the Elderly and Disabled
- Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) Waiver
- Brain Injury (BI) Waiver
Approved providers may deliver:
- Self-directed care planning and support
- Personal care and home management assistance
- Health monitoring and community participation services
8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH
Phase: Business Formation
Timeline: 1–2 weeks
Phase: Medicaid Provider Enrollment
Timeline: 60–90 days
Phase: Staff Hiring and Training
Timeline: 30–45 days
Phase: Budget Management Setup
Timeline: 2–4 weeks
9. CONTACT INFORMATION
Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)
Website: https://mn.gov/dhs
10. SCOPE OF WORK
- Business registration and licensing assistance
- Medicaid provider enrollment
- Policy & procedure manual for consumer-directed care operations
- Templates for budgeting, service planning, and documentation
- Website, domain, and email setup
- Staff credentialing and training documentation
- Client intake packet and care planning forms
- Risk management and financial tracking protocols
- Referral networking with community support agencies and service coordinators
WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — MINNESOTA CDCS SERVICES PROVIDER
We support agencies and entrepreneurs in launching compliant CDCS Services across Minnesota under the HCBS Waiver models.
To get started, click the link to request portal access