Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)

Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)

Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) is a Minnesota home-based support program that replaced the former Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and Consumer Support Grant (CSG) services. CFSS is designed to help adults and children with disabilities, chronic health conditions, or age-related needs live safely and independently in their homes and communities — providing flexible, person-centered care that supports daily activities and overall well-being.

What CFSS Helps With

CFSS covers many of the same basic services individuals previously received under PCA and CSG, including support with:

  • Activities of daily living (ADLs): Eating, bathing, grooming, dressing, transferring, mobility, and toileting.
  • Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs): Meal preparation, shopping, laundry, and household tasks.
  • Health-related tasks and supervision: Assistance or cueing that enables safe participation in everyday activities.

CFSS also supports community participation, independence, and personalized care planning based on individual goals.

CFSS Service Delivery Models

There are two ways CFSS can be delivered — however, CareArm Home Health Inc. only provides CFSS services under the Agency (Agent) Model as described below.

1. Agency (Agent) Model — Provided by CareArm Home Health Inc.

Under the Agency Model, CareArm Home Health Inc. is a licensed CFSS provider agency. In this model:

  • We recruit, hire, train, and supervise support workers on behalf of the individual.
  • CareArm Home Health Inc. functions as the employer of record for CFSS support staff.
  • We manage administrative duties and ensure services align with the participant’s CFSS service delivery plan.
  • Services are delivered safely and effectively, with ongoing communication with participants, families, and case managers.

This model is ideal for individuals and families who want choice and control over care workers without taking on direct employer responsibilities themselves. CareArm Home Health Inc. provides CFSS exclusively under this model.

2. Budget Model — (Not Provided by CareArm Home Health Inc.)

The CFSS Budget Model allows participants to use an allocated service budget to employ and manage their own support workers. Under this model, individuals (or their representatives) take on employer-related decisions such as hiring, scheduling, and supervision. Participants typically use a financial management services provider to assist with employer tasks like payroll and tax reporting.

CareArm Home Health Inc. does not provide CFSS services under the Budget Model, and we do not provide Financial Management Services (FMS).

Why Choose CFSS Through CareArm Home Health Inc.

When you choose CareArm Home Health Inc. for your CFSS supports under the Agency Model, you receive:

  • Personalized, person-centered care focused on your goals.
  • Experienced staff trained to support daily living and community inclusion.
  • Administrative support so you can focus on care, not paperwork.
  • Safe, coordinated services aligned with your service delivery plan.

We are committed to helping you remain supported, independent, and engaged in your home and community.