Community First Services and Supports Program Consultation Services

Minnesota seeks a vendor to provide consultation services supporting its Community First Services and Supports Program, offering guidance on service models, personnel management, and service planning.

Enroll as a Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) consultation service provider.
Provide proof of surety bond coverage ($50,000 if Medicaid revenue ≤ $300,000, or $100,000 if Medicaid revenue > $300,000).
Attend STATE's billing training.
Provide CFSS consultation services statewide.
Have an office located in Minnesota with a toll-free fax telephone and secure fax line.
Do not use subcontractors.
Ensure no owners, managers, board members, employees, or contractors are on excluded lists (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services LEIE, Minnesota Excluded Providers Lists, or excluded from any Minnesota Department of Human Services administered program).
Be knowledgeable about the roles of all parties involved in CFSS and requirements in the collective bargaining agreement between the State of Minnesota and SEIU Healthcare Minnesota.
Have an organizational structure and delivery system in place with lead professional staff experienced and skilled in providing self-directed services, training, and consultation.
Sign an individual assurance statement for neutrality and conflict of interest.
Do not provide multiple services to the same CFSS participant.
Do not incentivize people or offer monetary benefits to encourage service use.
Participate in required informational sessions or training (Diversity Training, consultation services specific training).
Offer a variety of communication modes with participants or their representatives (email, text, phone, in person, video phone).
Process and submit claims to and receive payments from STATE through MMIS and MCO.
Accept or decline referrals of CFSS participants from individuals or lead agencies.
Review and enter into a written agreement with the CFSS participant and their representative annually.
Establish and maintain individual participant case file documentation according to record retention requirements.
Provide basic, standardized information for CFSS participants on directing services, proper use of CFSS, service models, changing providers, and program updates.
Assist the CFSS participant in selecting a participant’s representative, if necessary.
Ensure the CFSS participant or their representative understands, agrees with, and can articulate choices within CFSS.
Be knowledgeable in self-directed principles and use person-centered planning principles to assist the participant in developing their CFSS Service Delivery Plan.
Finalize the CFSS Service Delivery Plan based on assessment, coordinated services and support plan, and CFSS regulations and policies.
Provide the finalized CFSS Service Delivery Plan to the county, tribal nation, or managed care organization for approval.
Approve the CFSS Service Delivery Plan for participants without a waiver or Alternative Care case manager or care coordinator, and provide appeal rights.
Assist the participant in reviewing and monitoring the CFSS Service Delivery Plan and budget.
Review steps for participant responsibility in monitoring workers (orientation, evaluation) upon intake and annually.
Participate in the evaluation of CFSS services adhering to STATE’s quality assurance measures.
Work with STATE staff when technical assistance is provided.
Serve as a liaison for CFSS with all involved parties.
Work with participants to determine when remediation, guidance, direction, or further training is needed on their role in CFSS.
Fulfill mandated reporting requirements under the vulnerable adult act or child maltreatment act.
Identify and communicate critical incidents related to fraud and abuse.
Assist the participant in identifying environmental concerns or hazards, changes in condition, and/or needs requiring reassessment.
Conduct a semi-annual plan review for participants without a case manager or care coordinator when the support worker is a paid parent of a minor participant or the participant's spouse.
Have a policy and procedure for dismissing a participant from consultation services with a thirty (30) day notice.
Assist STATE in conducting quality assurance surveys.
Approve goods and/or services within the scope of CFSS at the time of plan approval and through the plan year.
Coordinate and collaborate with the Care Coordinator or Case manager when denying or reducing any part of the plan.
Assist the participant in revising their plan upon request, change in condition, or in collaboration with the lead agency or STATE.
Provide participants selecting the budget model with a list of all enrolled FMS providers, maintaining neutrality.
Have general knowledge of employment practices (federal/state/local tax, labor, employment laws, liability, workers compensation).
Have policies and procedures to instruct participants on recruiting and selecting qualified support workers.
Assist participants in learning and implementing skills to be a participant-employer (recruit, set wages, supervise, evaluate, address service delivery, discharge workers).
Consult with and make recommendations to STATE or the Lead Agency regarding involuntary disenrollment from the budget model.
Have policies and procedures to instruct participants on and collect documentation requirements for monitoring workers.
Provide a resource to participants selecting the agency model on how to find enrolled CFSS agency providers, maintaining neutrality.
Provide timely customer service (response within one business day).
Have a toll-free phone and fax number and TTY number or alternative method for communicating with participants that are deaf or hard of hearing.
Have web-based information regarding consultation services.
Have the ability to provide translation and interpreter services (American Sign Language, Limited English Proficiency).
Have materials available in alternate formats.
Have methods for receiving, responding to, and tracking complaints from participants and workers.
Conduct participant satisfaction surveys at least annually and analyze/summarize results for submission to the state program agency.
Develop and implement a plan of correction or improvement based on satisfaction survey results.
Develop and implement policies and procedures emphasizing participant direction and cultural competence.
Establish policies and procedures and internal controls for documenting and verifying approval and delivery of consultation services for billing and tracking.
Have all necessary hardware and PC-based software for accessing Minnesota Health Care Program’s Eligibility Verification System (EVS), assessment and service planning information, and communicating with involved parties.
Employ at least one lead employee who is 18+, has cleared a Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 245C background study, has a minimum of two years of full-time experience in CDCS support planning, support broker, case management, or consumer education under an FMS or PCA agency, AND holds a specific degree (MD, RN, bachelor’s in specific professional categories, Human Services Professional Designation, or bachelor’s in human behavior/skill development/cultural behavior/basic human care needs/human condition with one year experience with intellectual/developmental disability).
If applicable, any workers under the direction of the lead employee must be 18+, have cleared a Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 245C background study, AND have a bachelor’s degree in a human services related field OR one year of full-time work experience providing direct services to persons with disabilities or persons over 65 OR experience coordinating or directing services for persons with disabilities or persons over 65 OR experience coordinating their own services.
Provide satisfactory information regarding professional responsibility, including complaints and litigation.
Provide information about any past data breaches or losses of private/confidential data.
Comply with all state and federal legal requirements regarding grant contract performance.
Comply with required Grants Management Policies and procedures.
Adhere to accessibility standards for information systems, tools, content, and work products.
Maintain Worker’s Compensation, General Commercial Liability, Employee Theft & Dishonesty, Commercial Automobile Liability, and Professional Liability insurance.
Agree that no religious based counseling shall take place under the contract.
Develop a contingency plan if fulfilling Priority 1 or Priority 2 functions.

$3,000,000 – $15,000,000

Request for proposals accepted for Round 1 Responders: July 22, 2025 – August 29, 2025

RFP Round 1 deadline: August 29, 2025, by 4:00 p.m. CST

Evaluation period / Pre-award risk assessment process for Round 1 successful Responders: September 2, 2025 – September 30, 2025

Successful Responder(s) for Round 1 notified in writing of their selection and STATE’s desire to enter into contract negotiations: October 31, 2025

Proposals may continue to be submitted on a rolling basis until June 30, 2026.

Minnesota Department of Human Services Disability Services Division

Organization overview and procurement intelligence available on paid plans.

This RFP seeks a qualified vendor to provide consultation services for the Community First Services and Supports Program in Minnesota. Services include delivering a general overview of covered services, policies, and procedures relevant to the program.

The vendor will be expected to provide detailed guidance on the two models of service provision: the agency model and the budget model. This includes thoroughly outlining the risks and responsibilities associated with each model. Vendors should offer targeted support and information regarding hiring, managing, and dismissing employees for participants utilizing the budget model, and guidance on referring, managing, and directing workers for those adopting the agency model.

Further responsibilities include assisting with the development of individual service plans, utilizing person-centered planning practices, and approving agency service delivery plans as needed. The overall goal is to empower individuals participating in the program with comprehensive consultation and guidance.

Community First Services and Supports Program Consultation Services

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