Jan. 28, 2020

MnCHOICES lapsed assessor audits

Security access management is a key role of the SSIS mentor/coordinator/primary. The SSIS mentor/coordinator/primary assigns MnCHOICES Assessment (MnA) functions for MnA user access. The Department of Human Services (DHS) began an audit of certified assessors in the third quarter of 2019 to ensure a person who needs long-term services and supports receives an assessment from a person who is certified and maintains assessor certification (MN State Statute 256B.0911). This audit process may require the SSIS mentor/coordinator/primary to remove the user function from an assessor.

The MnCHOICES team hosted two webinar sessions to provide more details about the lapsed assessor audit protocol and what it means for lead agencies. We posted the lapsed certified assessor audit protocol webinar to the Disability Services Division training archive for those unable to attend or that wanted to review the information after the webinar.

Lead agencies are responsible for monitoring the certification status of their MnCHOICES certified assessors. Lead agencies should have a system available to verify certification periods for each certified assessor. Each lead agency is responsible for making sure their certified assessors complete the steps needed for initial certification and recertification of assessors. Refer to the lead agency process and MnCAT Step 4 recertification information on the MnCHOICES CountyLink website Training and Webinars page:

• MnCAT process: Instructions for lead agencies
• MnCAT Step 4: Recertification Instructions and Guidance

As part of the lapsed assessor audit protocol, DHS may send notice to the lead agency SSIS mentor/coordinator/primary to suspend an assessor’s access to MnA if the lead agency has not responded to a request for additional documentation or for an assessor that has lapsed. We will send instructions to the SSIS mentor/coordinator/primary to reinstate access when an assessor’s current certification is confirmed.

Similar to other professional licensing standards, certified assessors are responsible for maintaining their own certified assessor status.

DHS will follow the lapsed certified assessor audit protocol when performing each quarterly audit. Lead agencies should review and be familiar with this audit protocol.