Revised MnCHOICES launch and training

Our revised MnCHOICES application work with FEI systems continues on the configuration of their assessment and support planning application. We are excited to include the MnCHOICES comprehensive assessment, managed care organization health risk assessment, support planning and service planning rate calculation into one application.

We are on track for implementation as early as September 2021, but no later than December 2021.

Launch planning begins in January 2021. To kick off the launch process, we will host our first launch webinar on Jan. 29 from 9 to 11 a.m.

• Purpose of the first webinar: To discuss plans for launch that include dates, steps to prepare, a brief overview of the training plan and lead agency support. After the webinar, we will ask lead agencies to complete a launch impact survey. The information from the survey will help us with launch planning.
• Webinar attendees: Lead agency staff who will coordinate the launch. This may include leadership, planning/training staff and MnCHOICES mentors.
• Registration: Visit the Revised MnCHOICES application: Introduction to launch announcement to register for this webinar.
• MnCHOICES Revision project information: Coming soon, we are creating a MnCHOICES Revision project page on MnCHOICES County Link. The launch webinar schedule and key resources will be available there.

This is the first in a series of launch webinars. We will continue to update you as more webinars are scheduled.

We need your help! We would like to feature great ideas and best practices from you, the users. Do you have a workflow, technology tip or trick, or best practice that you would like to share with other MnCHOICES users? If so, submit your ideas on the MnCHOICES Help Desk Contact Form, DHS-6979 and choose “Other” under the QUESTION TYPE for a chance to be featured in our newsletter.

January’s tips: Wright County

Wright County supervisors Richelle Kramer, Casey Henre and Nesa Black shared their assessor’s keys to success using MnCHOICES for assessments:

• Build rapport and relate to them, talk to them as a person not just as a professional, and have a funny story to tell them about a topic. When talking about dreams, I tell them my employment dream when I was a kid. I remind them that we are all human and need help in some way, and there is no shame in needing help. When they talk about their interests, I really listen. If they want to show me something, I let them, and if they want to teach me something, I go with it. Just being able to spend needed time with them and be present during the conversation helps. I have had to sit on the floor. I have had kids make a bracelet while I worked. I ask what has been happening in the last year. I ask if there is anything they want that they don’t have. It really is about talking and not just asking the questions.
• I always read the previous Community Support Plan (CSP) prior to my assessment to get a feel for the needs of the person.
• I spend about 30 minutes prepping before each meeting. It helps things flow better during the assessment!
• People just want to be HEARD and anxiety levels are so high with COVID-19. I try to remember that I may be the only social connection that person has that day or week, and it is my job to make that positive connection and impression. I also ALWAYS thank the person for their time — I think it helps them feel human and know that they matter.
• I take the time to build rapport at the beginning of the visit by suggesting we get to know each other a bit first. If I know the person, I ask about what is new in their life over the last year. I try to be respectful of a person’s need to come and go during the meeting. I’ve found that kids are more willing to answer questions about their likes and dislikes that way. I have also crawled into children’s “caves” so they can show me their Lego collections and other things that are important to them. Certain people will show scrapbooks or pictures while sharing what is important to them. So often, people jump from topic to topic as they recall information. I often take notes on a Word document, rather than type directly into MnCHOICES Assessment (MnA) as it helps keep the conversation flowing. I encourage them to meet where they feel comfortable when face-to-face. I have had several meetings where I sat on the floor with children to visit while they are playing (pre-COVID).
• I spend about 30 minutes before each meeting preparing myself by copying the previous assessment info into my Word doc and making any notes about information I might want to clarify during the meeting. If the assessment is new to me, I usually spend a bit more time preparing for the meeting. Taking this time before the meeting saves me time when zeroing out MnA, as well as ensuring I have all the needs and support info I want in the plan. Amazing leadership is a key to our success, as well as the CSP template that we have!
• My job as an assessor is to listen, and listen some more to hear what they are saying … to hear them and show them that they are important and their needs matter. When hearing their life story on how they got to this point in their life, I work with them to figure out what they need to enhance their quality of life. Many times, it is not just the person’s life we are changing but the dedicated family members who are in desperate need of direction to resources and services they had no idea existed.
• Ask what the assistance looks like using open-ended questions and relying on narrative. Waiting for the person to process and respond to all questions.
• Letting them drive the assessment. For instance, when asking about a “bad day” today in an assessment, the person described emotional/behavioral responses, so I went to the psychosocial domain.
• Using humor to build relationships and just working at the relationship throughout the assessment.
• Giving space by asking if there is anything else the person wants to add at the end of each domain.

Thank you to Richelle, Casey, Nesa and the Wright County assessors for sharing your great tips and insight!

Do you have a technical or workflow question that you would like help answering? If so, submit your question on the MnCHOICES Help Desk Contact Form, DHS-6979 and choose “Other” under the QUESTION TYPE. We will answer one question per issue.

You asked, we answered . . .

Question: We would like to make sure we remove people who do not work for us anymore. How can we get a list of people who currently have access to MnSP?

Answer: A supervisor or mentor can view a list of people who have access in MnSP by following these steps:

1. Log in to MnSP

2. Go to the My Plans Tab, choose “My Agency” in the “View” field and click the “Open” radio button in the “Status” field

The Lead Agency Review (LAR) is a comprehensive, collaborative and constructive evaluation process that monitors counties and tribal nations in the administration of home and community-based services (HCBS) programs. In addition to assuring federal and state compliance requirements, the review team partners with lead agencies to ensure people are receiving the services and supports they need and want to enhance their lives. The visit is an opportunity to share performance on key measures and outcomes, identify best practices, promote collaboration among lead agencies and provide feedback to DHS for statewide improvements.

The LAR team is excited to begin using MnCHOICES Matters to share information gathered when conducting site reviews with lead agencies. Stay tuned to hear lead agency best practices, success stories or innovative approaches to serve the people in the community that we will highlight in each issue.

“Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.” –Confucius

Trauma-informed supports

Join the DHS DSD positive supports team along with Dr. Karyn Harvey for two training opportunities:

Trauma-informed supports: Trauma and healing in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities

• Dates: Part 1: Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 and Part 2: Friday, Jan. 22, 2021
• Note: There is only one registration for both parts. To successfully complete this training, you must attend both sessions.
• Time: 10 a.m. to noon

Trauma-informed behavior supports: Using trauma-informed supports and positive behavior supports

• Date: Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021
• Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Additional details are available on the session announcement page.