 If you have questions or comments about this newsletter or its contents, please contact your case manager.
 This year’s legislative session resulted in several changes with CDCS. Some of the changes can be implemented now, and some will be implemented on Jan. 1, 2024 or when federal approval is received, whichever is later. Legislative Updates | Minnesota Council On Disability (state.mn.us)
7/1/23 CDCS Changes
Holidays
- Floating holidays were eliminated, and replaced with 2 more union holidays, Independence Day and Veterans Day. In 2024, Juneteenth will be added as well. When writing your plans, remember:
- Budget for 8 union holidays, unless you plan on not having staff work on these days. If that is the case, document that in the plan.
- Remember, staff must be paid 1.5x current wage when working on any of these holidays.
Federal Mileage Rate Increase
- Federal Mileage Rate Increased to a max. of up to 65.5 cents/mile
Stipends Available
-
Training Stipend: Available only for workers in PCA Choice, CSG and CDCS who complete qualifying training before June 30, 2025. A worker may receive a $500 stipend starting July 1, 2023, until the $2 million of stipend funding is exhausted or June 30, 2025, whichever comes sooner. Stipends are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for more information!
-
Home Care Recruitment & Retention Stipend: $1,000 - All workers in Union programs (PCA Choice, CSG, CDCS, and CFSS Budget Model) now qualify for a one-time $1,000 retention stipend after 6 months of employment! This includes PCAs, Family Caregivers, and Paid Parents. Eligible workers who apply will receive a check in the mail, as well as a 1099 tax form. Workers can apply until May 30, 2025. To apply for this benefit, please visit: https://fs10.formsite.com/togevents/retentionstipend/index
1/1/24 CDCS Changes
Increase to Minimum Wage
- Minimum wage for all staff will be $19/hr. (Currently $15.25)
PTO/Sick and Safe
Changes That Require Federal Approval
The following changes are effective 1/1/24 or 30 days after federal approval, whichever is later:
Increase to CDCS Wages
- Because the PCA/CFSS rates are increasing, so will pay rates for CDCS. The max pay rate for PPOM/Spouse will be $22.74. (Note: If you have shared services in your plan or receive the “Enhanced Rate,” the max pay rate is $24.42.)
Maximum Hours Paid Parents of Minors/Spouse Can Work
- Increase from 40 hours/week to 80 hours/week when more than one parent is providing services (provided no single parent provides more than 40 hours).
- Single parent/spouse households may increase total number of hours/weeks to 60 hours/week.
- For the lead agency to approve, must still meet waiver criteria and budget must be able to support increased hours and/or overtime.
Overall CDCS Budget Increase
- Increase of 8.49%. Prorated if mid-year.
Holidays
- Juneteenth is added as a holiday.
 Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Update
- Participation in EVV is mandatory. Work with your FMS agency to implement.
- Ask your FMS for additional help or training if having difficulties.
- Family members living with the participant must still enter their time electronically but do not have to use the GPS location feature.
- DHS is pursuing other options for those unable to submit their time sheets electronically.
- If you have not yet been contacted or trained by your FMS, watch for more information. You can find out more information on the DHS website.
CDCS Plan Renewals
With the start of EVV, CDCS plan renewals will need to be received and approved prior to the renewal date, or there could be a GAP in services. CDCS Service Agreements will be entered in the month PRIOR to the renewal and case managers have been trained to approve staffing only, should we need more time to review a plan. Please follow these “best practices” to ensure services are not interrupted:
Participants/Managing Parties
- Schedule your MnCHOICES assessment as soon as you can when contacted by the assessor.
- 60 days before the renewal date, write your CDCS plan using previous year’s budget.
- Contact your case manager if you don’t get the CDCS budget by the 12th of the month prior to renewal.
- Update the plan with the budget from the case manager, tweak goals as needed after reviewing the MnCHOICES assessment and submit your plan by the 15th of the month prior.
- Submit the plan even if waiting on additional documentation, as these items can likely be pended until the information is received.
-
Participant Guide to CDCS is a helpful guide for all things CDCS.
-
Participant Guide for Completing a CDCS Plan is a checklist you can use if writing your own plan.
Case managers and Supervisors
Case managers and Supervisors, if you were not able to attend the mandatory training on the updated CDCS renewal process, please watch the training video: Passcode: 0Y@h=M?9.
Then, follow guidance in the CDCS Processes and Procedures document.
 Job descriptions
Make sure that job descriptions match the needs of the person and don’t include typical parenting responsibilities for paid parent of minor, (ex. For a 2 year old, there shouldn’t be meal prep, toileting, etc...unless what they are doing takes longer than a typical parent’s responsibility. Or, if someone doesn’t have behaviors, the job description shouldn’t say “staff will help with behavior management”.)
CDCS Goals
Reminder that CDCS goals must include how the goal will be implemented and how it will be measured. Not every item/service in the plan needs a goal, BUT there needs to be narrative relating the requested item/service to an assessed need. For the DD waiver, at least some of the goals must be “habilitative” meaning they must “help people develop, maintain and improve the self -help, socialization and adaptive skills necessary to live successfully in their home and community.”
 CDCS Participant Training
New participants need to watch both the DHS and Ramsey County orientation trainings prior to starting CDCS. It is recommended that current participants watch annually as a refresher. CDCS participants who are NEW to Ramsey County should watch as well!
English: DHS Training Video
Ramsey County Participant Training
Spanish: Passcode +Ng54LlA
Hmong: Passcode U926$!PB
Somali: Passcode a8RM1FR&
Karen
Case Manager/Supervisor
Training
-
“Intro to CDCS” is a 3-part training that is mandatory for new case managers and new supervisors. In addition, there are several “topical” trainings available. All trainings are recorded and available HERE under “Training."
CDCS Consults (Case managers and supervisors)
Self-Direction Conference
- Learn more about self-direction and network with other CDCS participants.
Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Stipend - $200
All workers in PCA Choice, CSG, CDCS and CFSS Budget Model qualify for a one-time $200 to offset potential costs related to using individual devices to access electronic visit verification. More to come.
 Helpful CDCS Documents
Participant Guide to CDCS
Participant Guide to Completing a CDCS Plan
General Information About CDCS
MN Department of Human Services (DHS)
Ramsey County Human Services
CDCS Policy Manual
MHCP Provider Manual (Does MA cover?)
Community Based Services Manual (CBSM)
EAA (Home and Vehicle Modifications) Q&A
Nursing Q&A
Translated Ramsey County CDCS Policy Guidelines
RC Policy Guidelines- English
RC Policy Guidelines- Spanish
RC Policy Guidelines-Hmong
RC Policy Guidelines-Somali
RC Policy Guidelines-Karen
 Need More Staff?
(All staff need to be hired through the FMS once secured)
College Tuition Resource for Direct Care Staff
The Minnesota Future Together Grants-College tuition for direct support workers that meet income guidelines.
Person Centered Planning
A person centered planner, helps a person develop/create a life plan to help them reach their goals and achieve their dreams in life. Contact The ARC Minnesota
Cell Phone Programs
Autism Resource
DHS Culture Specific Autism videos and Resources Portal:
|
