At MNDSA, we believe that everyone — regardless of geography, income, or background — deserves access to excellent support planning and community resources. Our team brings personal and professional experience together to help you navigate a complex system on your own terms.
You deserve access to high-quality support.
Our staff are all either disabled themselves or care for people with disabilities. We don't just understand the system — we're living it. We are committed to neurodiversity-affirming practice, support both identity-first and person-first language, and do not discriminate on any basis. Services are low or no cost to you, billed at competitive, respectful rates through your FMS as part of your approved Community Support Plan. We work across all 87 Minnesota counties — virtually and in person.
Why families
choose MNDSA
Step 5:
Begin Services
Once your plan is approved, services are funded through your Fiscal Management Service.
Step 4:
Build Your Plan
Your planner helps you write and submit your Community Support Plan.
Step 3:
Connect with Planner
We'll match you with a support planner and schedule your first meeting.
Step 2:
Complete Intake Form
Our online intake form takes about 10 minutes.
Step 1:
Check Eligibility
You need an active Medicaid Waiver and interest in the Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) program.
How to get started
This section explains how Minnesota's Home and Community Based waiver system works, what Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) covers, how Fiscal Management Services fit in, and what to expect from the support planning process. Plain-language overviews for people navigating these programs for the first time.
New to HBCS or CDCS?
How the system works
About the community-based waiver system
DHS manages publicly funded programs that support people with a variety of disabilities, including developmental disabilities, chronic medical conditions, acquired or traumatic brain injuries and physical disabilities.
Over the past two decades, Minnesota has successfully transitioned from high use of institutional services, such as regional treatment centers and nursing facilities, to effectively serve people with disabilities with flexible, cost-effective home and community-based services.
What Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) covers
Consumer directed community supports (CDCS) is a service option that allows people eligible for a waiver or the Alternative Care (AC) program to self-direct their care. It gives people more choice, flexibility and responsibility for their services and supports.
Using CDCS people may:
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Choose or design the services and supports that fit their assessed needs.
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Decide when to receive services and supports.
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Hire the people they want (including parents and spouses) to deliver those services and supports.
CDCS also allows people to buy:
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Non-traditional supports
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Special therapies
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Assistive technology
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Supplies
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Home/vehicle modifications
How Fiscal Management Services (FMS) fit in
Minnesota requires CDCS participants to use an approved FMS provider. The FMS provider handles the employer and financial administration tasks the participant cannot bill or process directly.
An FMS provider typically:
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Processes payroll for workers
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Handles taxes and tax filings
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Issues paychecks/direct deposit
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Tracks the participant’s CDCS budget
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Pays approved vendors
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Submits claims to the state
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Maintains documentation and audit records
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Helps with workers’ compensation and employer paperwork
So the participant directs the care, while the FMS organization handles the financial compliance side.
What to expect from the planning process
Our staff have over 20 years of experience working with disabled individuals and their families. All of us either qualify as disabled ourselves or have a family member with a disability. This combination of professional and personal experience ensures that all of our services are provided with a unique perspective.
In addition to writing the plan, our support planners can:
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Provide information on and assist in selecting a Fiscal Management Service
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Find services and supports
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Make arrangements for obtaining services and supports
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Help solve problems that may occur
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Help monitor the community support plan
Support planners must abide by the support planner service standards.
We work with ALL Minnesota counties, utilizing video or teleconferencing to reach rural areas that have little or no access to support planners. We believe that it is important for everyone to have access to high quality support planning.
All of the services are billed through your Fiscal Management Service as part of your Community Support Plan. We will only provide services as identified in a work agreement that you approve.
Through our B.R.I.D.G.E. Program, we match individuals who want help navigating HCBS services with a trained mentor who has personal experience doing exactly that—regardless of what supports you may already have in place. Mentors provide encouragement, practical knowledge, and connection to resources — while helping you build independence and self-advocacy skills. Free of charge.
Connect with a Peer Mentor
Client forms & documents
Download everything you need in one place.
