Understanding CFSS in Minnesota
CFSS — Community First Services & Supports — is Minnesota's primary home care program. It's the program the state is using to replace and consolidate older Personal Care Assistance (PCA) services, and it's funded through Medical Assistance (Medicaid).
If you've heard about PCA, you already understand most of what CFSS does: help with daily living, household tasks, and the kinds of supports that let someone live at home rather than in a facility. CFSS keeps that core idea and adds more participant choice, more structured planning, and a clearer separation of roles.
Who CFSS is for
CFSS is for people on Medical Assistance who need ongoing help with everyday activities — bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, household tasks, medication reminders. It's available to:
- Older adults whose health, mobility, or cognition makes daily life harder
- Adults with disabilities (physical, cognitive, mental health, or developmental)
- Children with disabilities, in some cases
- People recovering from a hospital stay or surgery who need temporary support
You don't need a specific diagnosis. You need a documented need for help.
How it actually works
There are two ways to receive CFSS in Minnesota — what the state calls delivery models:
Agency-Provider model
The provider — like HAAS — handles all the employment side. We hire and train caregivers, run payroll, schedule shifts, supervise, and keep records. You receive care without managing the workforce yourself.
This is what most CFSS recipients choose, and it's what HAAS provides.
Budget model
The participant (or a representative) takes on more responsibility. They direct their own services, may hire their own workers, and manage a budget. This works for people who want maximum control and have the time and capacity for it.
What's covered
CFSS supports three categories of help:
- Activities of daily living (ADLs) — bathing, dressing, eating, transferring, toileting, mobility, grooming.
- Instrumental activities (IADLs) — meal prep, light cleaning, laundry, shopping, medication reminders, transportation support.
- Health-related tasks — as authorized in your individual care plan, with appropriate training and oversight.
Care plans are individualized. Two people receiving CFSS might have very different schedules, supports, and goals.
How HAAS does it
We've been doing this kind of work in Minnesota since 2006. The thing we focus on most is the match between caregiver and client. Language, culture, family rhythm — these matter. We hire across many backgrounds so we can pair people thoughtfully.
If you're exploring CFSS for yourself or a loved one, get in touch. We'll walk you through what's involved.