The latest weekly digest from Minnesota's Aging and Adult Services Division (AASD) and Disability Services Division (DSD) brings several key updates to agencies and stakeholders involved in providing critical services to the state's elderly and disabled populations. A notable directive in the announcement is the request for staff in various lead agencies to temporarily halt any additions or changes to service agreements in the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) from December 12-20. This temporary freeze will affect several programs including Alternative Care and Community Access for Disability Inclusion, among others, as detailed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
In tandem, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is actively seeking to clearly understand and subsequently simplify the intricacies involved in electronic visit verification (EVV) for live-in caregivers. With an end-of-year deadline looming, DHS encourages input from service recipients, caregivers, and community advocates to help streamline compliance procedures, also emphasizing their concerted push to gather feedback until December 30, as per the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Transition is a constant theme in the AASD and DSD's updates, notably regarding the shift from personal care assistance (PCA) and Consumer Support Grant (CSG) services to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). This major pivot, which began on October 1, symbolizes an ongoing commitment to enhancing service delivery, promising to distribute periodic updates to keep all stakeholders informed during the early stages of this significant transition.
DHS has released a resource guide to help certified assessors and lead agency staff work effectively with interpreters, emphasizing communication's role in building trust and care in diverse communities. Additionally, DHS forwarded a message from the Department of Labor and Industry about a survey on PTSD in the workers' compensation system, dated December 3. This highlights the intersection of mental health and workplace safety within the broader welfare system.
