The Minnesota DHS is transitioning from the PCA (Personal Care Assistance) program to CFSS (Community First Services and Supports). If you’re moving to CFSS, you’ll need a service delivery plan before you can start services.

What is a CFSS Service Delivery Plan?

The service delivery plan is a written plan that describes your CFSS services based on your needs and preferences. It explains what kind of help you want to receive and how it will be provided. You can create this plan with the help of a consultation service provider. 

The service delivery plan you need to write varies slightly depending on which CFSS model you choose. Your consultation service provider will walk you through these differences step by step. Your first important task is to understand the different models and work with your consultation provider to choose the best model for your needs.

About the CFSS Agency Model

Under the agency model, you will receive a number of units or hours of services to meet your needs. Services are provided by workers who are employed by an agency provider. To purchase goods, you’ll work with a financial management service (FMS).

About the CFSS Budget Model

Under the budget model, you become the employer. You will select a financial management services (FMS) provider who will walk you (or your chosen representative) through the process of becoming an employer. If you’re using the budget model, the Service Delivery Plan includes an additional section. In this section, you’ll need to explain your employee training and development plan.

About the CFSS Models

When Do I Need a CFSS Service Delivery Plan?

A young man receiving services sits across a table from a consultant. They discuss how to write the CFSS Service Delivery Plan.
  • Before services start
  • When there’s a change in your care needs
  • Every year at reassessment

You’ll need to keep a copy of your service delivery plan in:

  • Your home
  • Your CFSS provider’s office
  • Any shared service locations (if applicable)
  • Your consultation service provider’s file
  • Your financial management service (FMS) provider’s file (if you use one)

Who is involved in creating the service delivery plan?

  • You (or your representative): You’re responsible for writing the plan. You can get help from your consultation service provider as needed.
  • Consultation Service Provider: They help you develop the plan, review it, and submit it to your lead agency for approval.
  • Lead Agency: They review and approve the plan to make sure it meets the requirements.
  • CFSS Provider or FMS Provider: They help you implement the plan and ensure services are delivered as written.

What Are Your Responsibilities For Writing a Service Delivery Plan?

Agency Model

You, or your representative, are responsible for:

  • Writing your service delivery plan alongside your consultation service provider
  • Keeping track of how well the plan is working and making changes if necessary

Budget Model

You, or your representative, are responsible for:

  • Document how your workers are trained to perform the tasks in the plan
  • Writing your service delivery plan alongside your consultation service provider
  • Keeping track of how well the plan is working and making changes if necessary

What is the Role of the Consultation Service Provider?

Enrolling with a consultation service provider is mandatory for completing the service delivery plan. But it’s your choice how much you use their help. Your consultation service provider helps by:

  • Offering guidance as you create the plan
  • Reviewing it to ensure it meets all requirements
  • Sending the plan to your lead agency
  • Helping you make changes to the plan when needed
Two consultants sit side by side talking about how to best approach a client's CFSS Service Delivery Plan.

What Needs to Be in My CFSS Service Delivery Plan?

If you use the DHS’ template for the CFSS Service Delivery Plan, the template has all the information you need to include in the plan. However, the document will actively change based on the information you select. So make sure to work with your consultation service provider to choose the correct options. Here is a quick breakdown on what you can expect to see in the template.

  1. Basic Information
    • Your name, address, and phone number
    • Your Medical Assistance number (PMI)
    • Your date of birth
    • The name and contact info of your representative (if you have one)
    • Start and end dates of the service delivery plan
    • Your signature or your representative’s signature

  2. Total Units or Dollars
    If you’re using the agency model, your plan needs to list the total units of service you’ll receive. If you’re using the budget model, it needs to show the total dollars available for services. The DHS has budget calculators to help with this.
  3. Services and Instructions
    Your plan must describe:
    • Your needs and goals
    • What services your workers will provide
    • Special instructions or procedures
    • An emergency plan, including:
      • Emergency contacts
      • A plan for worker absences
      • Safety measures and a back-up plan if needed

  4. Additional CFSS Requirements
    • Worker training and development plan (if using budget model)
    • List and cost of any goods or services you’re purchasing
    • Personal Emergency Response System (if applicable)
    • Skill maintenance and enhancement plan (if applicable)
    • Job descriptions for workers (if using the budget model)
Download the Service Delivery Plan Template

What Happens After the Plan is Submitted?

  1. The lead agency reviews the plan and either approves or denies it within 30 days.
  2. If approved, they will send a copy to:
    • You (or your representative)
    • Your consultation service provider
    • Your CFSS provider agency or FMS provider (if applicable)

If part of the plan is denied, the lead agency will work with you and your consultation service provider to fix it. 

Have questions? We’re Here to Support You

Along your CFSS journey, Harry Meyering Center is here to support you, no matter who you choose as your consultation provider. Our goal is simply to help you as much as we can, because we’ve also had people who stepped up to help us.

Contact Us

Helpful Resources for Writing Your CFSS Service Delivery Plan

Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) is replacing the current Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and Consumer Support Grant (CSG) programs. If you’re on PCA or CSG, you’ll need to transition over to CFSS. Don’t worry–you won’t do this transition alone. A consultation service provider will work with you every step of the way.

What are consultation service providers?

Consultation services providers walk you through the transition by helping you write your service delivery plan. They know about different resources and can guide you to the right services for your needs. Under CFSS, your consultation providers will help you create a service plan that fits your budget and meets your needs.

Your consultation provider cannot be 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 agency provider or FMS.

What’s the difference between a service delivery plan and a plan of care?

A father holds his daughter as he chats on the phone with a consultation service provider about transitioning to CFSS.

Your plan of care is now called a service delivery plan. It is a person-centered document that identifies the PCA/CFSS services you will receive. It also bases those services on your assessed needs and how those services will be delivered. 

  • The agency or FMS you choose will help you finalize any specific details in your service delivery plan.
  • Your consultation provider helps you create your service delivery plan. 

While you’re required to choose a consultation services provider, you decide how much help you need from them.

About the Service Delivery Plan

How to Choose a Consultation Services Provider

First of all, it’s important to make sure the consultation provider you choose has a contract with the State to provide consultation services. This means they must be enrolled with MHCP. 

The DHS has a list of all consultation services providers in Minnesota. Make sure to only choose providers that are marked yes in the Enrolled column.

View the DHS List

How do I know what’s right for me?

Often choosing the right consultation provider depends on your preferences. Harry Meyering Center is here to help you choose the best consultation service provider–whether that’s us or someone else. Our goal is simply to support you during this process.

Contact Us

What to Expect When Working With Harry Meyering Center

Get Your Plan Approved With No Delays

We’ll get your plan approved the first time so there are 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’ve walked through the process ourselves.

Work With 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.

Connect With Call or Text

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

Contact Harry Meyering Center If You Have Any Questions About Choosing a Consultation Service Provider

We’re here to support you–regardless of who you choose as your consultation provider. Our goal is simply to help you as much as we can, because we’ve also had people who stepped up to help us.

Helpful Resources for Choosing Your Consultation Service Provider

Get in Touch