Consumer Directed Community Supports

What is Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS)?

The Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) is a program that gives individuals more control over their care and support services. It is available to people enrolled in the following home and community-based services (HCBS) programs:

  • Alternative Care Program
  • Brain Injury Waiver
  • Community Alternative Care Waiver
  • Community Access for Disability Inclusion Waiver
  • Developmental Disabilities Waiver
  • Elderly Waiver

CDCS allows individuals to manage their own services, giving them the ability to:

  • Choose or design services that meet their specific needs.
  • Decide when and how to receive services.
  • Hire the people they want to provide those services, including family members like parents or spouses.

This program is person-centered, offering flexibility and more control over how a participant’s waiver allocation budget is spent.

Getting Started

Complete an online learning module

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) offers a CDCS online learning module for individuals receiving services and their families who are interested in the program.

How the Budget is Determined?

For the Community Alternative Care, Community Alternatives for Disabled Individuals, Brain Injury, Developmental Disabilities Waiver, Elderly Waiver or Alternative Care waiver, the budget is based on the most recent MnCHOICES assessment.

What the Funds Can Be Used For?

To be approved for use in the CDCS program, the goods and services must meet the following criteria:

  • Be for the direct benefit of the person.
  • Be included in the person’s CDCS Community Support Plan.
  • Be necessary to meet one of the person’s assessed needs.
  • Be related to the person’s disability or condition. (This applies to Brain Injury, Community Alternative Care, Community Access for Disability Inclusion, and Development Disabilities only).

These guidelines ensure that funds are used appropriately to support the individual’s needs.

More information

Helpful documents

For more detailed information about the program, go to the Minnesota Department of Human Services website on CDCS.