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CFSS Budget Model VS. Agency Model
Take Control of Your Care with Community First Services and Supports
Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) is a new self-directed service in Minnesota that gives you more choice and control over the care you receive. With CFSS, you can choose between two service models: the Budget Model or the Agency Model.
See table below for the similarities and differences of the Budget Model of CFSS and the Agency Model of CFSS.
| Budget Model of CFSS | Agency Model of CFSS | |
| Who is the employer? | Person receiving services | Agency provider |
| Who hires, schedules, and sets wages for workers? | Person receiving services has full control of who they hire and sets wages and schedules for workers. | Agency provider hires, trains, and schedules workers. Person receiving services has a say in who works for them, but final decision is made by agency provider. |
| Who is responsible for employer-related tasks? | Person receiving services choose a Financial Management Service (FMS) to assist with employer-related tasks including hiring employees, processing payroll, filing taxes, ensuring compliance with labor laws, billing DHS, and more. | Agency provider files employer taxes, ensures compliance with labor laws, and bills DHS. |
| What unit is staffing based on? | Dollar based, authorized to the FMS from Lead Agency | Unit based, authorized to agency provider from Lead Agency |
| How is the Service Delivery Plan Implemented? | Service delivery plan is developed with Consultation Provider, and person receiving services or their representative will train workers on implementation. | Service delivery plan is started with Consultation Provider, and agency provider will further develop and assist with implementation with some input from person receiving services. |
| Purchasing goods and services | Lead Agency authorizes dollars, and person uses part of their budget to purchase | Lead Agency converts units to dollars to purchase, will have to select an FMS to make purchases |
| SEIU bargaining unit | Workers are in the bargaining unit represented by SEIU | Workers are not in the bargaining unit represented by SEIU |
Why the Budget Model of CFSS is Right for You:
Maximum control over your care:
With the Budget Model, you have the power to hire, train, and schedule your own care workers—including family, friends, or anyone you trust. You decide who helps you, when they work, and how your care fits into your life.
Unlike the Agency Model, where an agency provider makes the final decision on hiring and scheduling workers, the Budget Model puts all the decision-making power in your hands.
Flexible Budget for Personalized Support:
The Budget Model offers a dollar-based budget, making it easy for you to pay care workers and purchase goods or services that best suit your needs. You decide how to allocate your funds, giving you the freedom to shape your support in a way that truly reflects your life and priorities.
In contrast, purchasing goods or services in the Agency Model requires you to select an FMS provider and have the Lead Agency convert a unit-based budget to dollars, adding delays and reducing your flexibility in purchasing the goods or services you need.
Expert Support for Employer-Related Tasks:
In the Budget Model, you have the support of a FMS, like Lifeworks, to help with all employer-related tasks—such as processing payroll, filing taxes, and ensuring compliance with labor laws. With the guidance of an FMS, you get to self-direct your care without the stress of handling all the details.
The Agency Model, however, makes the agency the employer, which limits your ability to make decisions regarding your care and services.
Choose the Budget Model and Experience the Full Power of Self-Direction
With the Budget Model of CFSS, you have the freedom to make the decisions about your care, budget, and services—all with the support you need to make the process simple. Gain the freedom, flexibility, and control that you deserve over your care.
Ready to get started with the Budget Model of CFSS?
Contact Lifeworks at 651-454-2732 or lifeworksreferrals@lifeworks.org.
