Have questions about the transition from Personal Care Assistance (PCA) to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)? We’re here to walk you through it.
What is CFSS?
The Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) program is set to replace the current Personal Care Assistance (PCA) program and the state-funded Consumer Support Grant (CSG) benefit. For more information, you can visit the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) website. It’s important to note that CFSS is still under development and requires federal approval.
Currently, clients do not need to take any action.
What Will Current Clients Need to Do to Transfer Services to CFSS?
When it’s time for current clients to transfer their home care services to CFSS, they will need to choose a consultation services provider. This provider will assist in determining the delivery model that best meets their needs. Under CFSS, the consultation provider must be different from the agency providing home care services. This means clients will need to select two different agencies: one for consultation services and one for home care services.
What Stays the Same and What Changes?
CFSS will continue to offer assistance similar to PCA services, including help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), health-related tasks, and back-up systems to ensure service continuity based on assessed functional needs.
However, CFSS will also include new permissible services and support based on assessed needs or goals in a person-centered service plan. These may include:
- Services and supports that enhance a person’s independence
- Assistive technology and environmental modifications to reduce or substitute for human assistance
- Skills acquisition for completing ADLs
Two Delivery Model Options: Agency or Budget
CFSS will provide two service delivery models: the agency provider model and the budget model.
In both models, clients or their responsible parties will:
- Direct all care
- Select their worker, who can be a spouse or a parent if the client is a minor
- Develop the care plan with help from the consultation services provider if desired
- Purchase necessary goods
In the agency provider model, the selected provider will serve as the employer for the caregiver. This means the agency will handle recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and paying CFSS support workers. DHS will use PCA agencies to deliver these services. Under this model, clients can retain their current trusted caregivers.
In the budget model, clients will employ their support workers and manage a budget instead of service units. Clients will be responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising their support workers. They will also choose a financial management services (FMS) provider to help comply with applicable laws.
How can Pavillio by Cashe Software help you with the transition?
Pavillio can help you streamline and automate the technical processes of meeting the CFSS requirements. Pavillio is ready to help you:
- Manage intake process
- Streamline internal communication
- House all person related information
- Complete the Service Delivery Plan, send it out for signature
- Track incoming communication
- Complete and store session documentation
- Maintain log of time spent with each person
- Bill for session/reconcile payments for service provided
More Options and Supports
CFSS offers more options and supports than PCA, including:
- Allowing a person’s spouse or the parent of a minor to serve as their support worker
- The ability to purchase goods that aid in independence
- State-provided budgets for training workers to support individual needs
- Consultation services providers offering education and support in writing care plans
When Will the Transition to CFSS Start?
The Department of Human Services plans to start CFSS implementation on October 1, 2024. Clients currently receiving PCA or CSG benefits will transition to CFSS during their regular annual reassessment.
The transition for all current PCA and CSG service users to CFSS is expected to take about 15 months, so some clients may not transition until a year or more after the program begins.
What Can You Do Now to Prepare?
Many Minnesota providers want to start setting themselves up for CFSS success now. Here are some things you can start doing ahead of the implementation timeline, so you will be ready:
August/September:
- Begin your onboarding process ASAP to begin learning the system.
- Work through some test clients and complete sample documentation to ensure staff are comfortable with the process/forms
October:
- Enter new intakes into the system as you receive them
- Begin fully using Pavillio for documentation
- Bill for services and get paid
Let’s work together to get you set-up for the CFSS transition. Schedule a call.