External Program Review Committee (EPRC) minutes

Date: Feb. 5, 2026
DSD liaisons: Jessica Little and Ari Dionisopoulos and Stacie Enders
Type: Whole committee
Attendees: Kim Frost, Daniel Baker, Lindsay Nash, Melanie Eidsmoe, Laura Daire, Brenda Kinney, Susie Haben, Danielle Bishop, Antonina Puente, Sharon Momanyi
Not Present: Jodi Greenstein

Vote

The committee voted on the minutes from January 2026:

· Daniel Baker: Yes

· Laura Daire: Yes

· Melanie Eidsmoe: Yes

· Sharon Momanyi: Yes

· Brenda Kinney: Yes

· Kim Frost: Yes

· Antonina Puente: Yes

· Jodi Greenstein: Absent

· Susie Haben: Abstain

· Danielle Bishop: Abstain

· Linsday Nash: Yes

Updates to share

Regional positive support capacity building meetings

Committee members are invited to give any updates they may have on this topic. More information can be found at: Regional Capacity Building – Positive Supports (qualitycouncilmn.org).

Discussion: Twin Cities meeting focused on networking. West Central focused on sharing general information, addressing contract questions and discussed working with Stacy D and ICI. Toni shared information about culture of safety trainings that were upcoming and information about survey out for workforce.

Simplify and organize online DHS materials and training resources related to positive support services

No current updates.

Communication tools are published and ready to be used.

Intervention services redesign

The project continues to move forward. – Two versions of the survey have been completed. One includes a breakdown of policy language and may take 30-60 minutes to finish. The other version includes more plain language and should only take about 15 minutes to complete. Now we need IRB’s approval and then translations need to be made.

Direct care workforce shortage

Caregiver labor trafficking

MDH, DLI, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and other state agencies are working to address and prevent labor trafficking of caregivers.

· Labor trafficking – When a person uses control and manipulation to get labor, work or services from the victim and the victim believes they are unable to leave or stop. Labor trafficking is not human smuggling and does not require crossing state or international borders. Learn about Minnesota laws on labor trafficking.

Four new resources now available that explain laws and policy affecting care professional compensation (reviewed each webpage)

· DHS – Care professional compensation

· DHS – How direct care service rates are determined

· DHS – Requirements for care professional compensation

· DHS – Care professional compensation and service rate comparison (Spreadsheet).

National workforce data for intellectual and developmental disability services

2024 National Core Indicators State of the Workforce Data for Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services

DEED awards $17.3 million for workforce development and job training

Some of these funds could potentially be used to recruit direct care professionals. For details visit: DEED Awards $17.3 Million for Workforce Development and Job Training

Webinar about assistive technology and the aging population

AASD and DSD eList: Webinar about assistive technology and the aging population

Changes to nursing home workforce standards and minimum wages

Update from DLI: DHS submitted a state plan amendment to CMS on Jan. 9, 2026. CMS has 90 days from submission date to approve or deny the amendment, although CMS may ask questions that could extend the timeline. The DLI Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board will email notification when federal approval from CMS is obtained.

Background: If federal and state conditional requirements are met as outlined under Minn. R. 5200.2070, Minn. R. 5200.2080 establishes a minimum wage for all nursing home workers, and Minn. R. 5200.2090 establishes minimum wages for a few specific nursing home jobs. Minn. R. 5200.2010 requires additional pay on holidays, and Minn. R. 5200.2020 establishes protections for worker pay and other rights. The DLI Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board is responsible for providing recommendations on care professional compensation and working conditions in nursing homes.

CFSS direct support worker enrollment requirements

Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) agencies and financial management services (FMS) providers must enroll each CFSS direct support worker with Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP). This is required because direct support workers must be listed as the rendering provider on claims for covered personal care services.

Before enrolling a direct support worker, CFSS agencies and FMS providers must ensure the workers:

· Meet the PCA/CFSS worker criteria, requirements and responsibilities.

· Successfully complete the Individual PCA and CFSS training requirements.

o A certificate dated after April 15, 2020, meets training requirements for both personal care assistance (PCA) and CFSS.

o PCA workers with certificates dated before April 15, 2020, must complete new training before providing CFSS services.

· Complete a background study through NETStudy 2.0 using the facility ID assigned to the agency at the time of enrollment with MHCP.

CFSS agencies and FMS providers are responsible for keeping all enrollment information updated for direct support workers. The most effective way to report changes, end an affiliation or update information for an enrollment application is by submitting an affiliation request through MPSE. Agencies also have the option to fax the Individual DSW Change Request (DHS-5716) (PDF).

Subcommittee updates

Requests for approval subcommittee

This subcommittee has been conducting business as usual.

Emergency use of manual restraint subcommittee

This subcommittee has been conducting business as usual.

Discussion

Annual goal

· The committee’s goal is: Create and maintain training materials as needs are discovered and as project opportunities emerge. Some projects may include: PSTP examples, reinforcement (token) programs, implementing Minnesota Rule 9544 for 245D-licensed providers, trainings for specific behaviors or disorders (PICA, fecal smearing, self-harm ingestion), and relating that to state regulations.

· MIRS launch update – Any day now.