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Community-Based Services Manual (CBSM)

Community-Based Services Manual (CBSM)


AASD and DSD eList announcement

Date: July 21, 2026
To: Lead agencies and all interested parties
From: DHS Aging and Adult Services and Disability Services divisions
Purpose: To announce updates DHS made to the Community-Based Services Manual (CBSM) in June 2026
Contact: For Brain Injury (BI), Community Alternative Care (CAC), Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) and Developmental Disabilities (DD) waivers, use the DSD Contact Form. For Alternative Care (AC), Essential Community Supports (ECS) and Elderly Waiver (EW), email DHS.AASD.HCBS@state.mn.us. For Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) service agreements and screening documents, refer to Service Agreement and Screening Document (SASD) Support Team.

Recent CBSM updates

In June 2026, DHS made updates to the following pages in the CBSM.

Page

Information about update

DWRS exception requests

We updated CBSM – Disability Waiver Rate System (DWRS) exception requests and made the following changes:

  • · Added a section about limitations to exceptions for residential services effective July 1, 2026 (refer to Minn. Stat. §256B.4914, subd. 14a).
  • · Clarified information about required documentation and the renewal process.

    • Assessment applicability and timelines

    We updated CBSM – Assessment applicability and timelines and made the following changes:

  • · Removed information about assessment responsibilities and who participates in the assessment because this information is now on the new page, CBSM – MnCHOICES assessment process.
  • · Updated information about assessment validity.
  • · Updated information about remote annual reassessments.

    • Lead agency employment liaison contact list

    We updated information on CBSM – Lead agency employment liaison contact list for Beltrami County.

    Resource: MnCHOICES lead agency transfer and communication form: Scenarios for people on AC, EW or ECS

    We posted a new page, CBSM – Resource: MnCHOICES lead agency transfer and communication form: Scenarios for people on AC, EW or ECS, to replace content in DHS-6037A.

    Resource: MnCHOICES lead agency transfer and communication form: Scenarios for people on a disability waiver (BI, CAC, CADI or DD)

    We posted a new page, CBSM – Resource: MnCHOICES lead agency transfer and communication form: Scenarios for people on a disability waiver (BI, CAC, CADI or DD), to replace content in DHS-6037B.

    MnCHOICES assessment process

    We posted a new page, CBSM – MnCHOICES assessment process, with information to guide assessors through the assessment process. It provides assessment expectations and gives directions to assessors on how to conduct person-centered assessments.

    Support planning for LTSS

    We comprehensively reviewed CBSM – Support planning for long-term services and supports (LTSS) and made the following changes:

  • · Clarified content throughout the page.
  • · Updated the support plan signature and timeline section to reflect policy changes.

    • For more information, refer to the June 23, 2026, eList announcement.

    ICLS

    We comprehensively reviewed CBSM – Individual community living supports (ICLS) and made the following changes:

  • · Clarified content throughout the page.
  • · Removed language stating ICLS Planning Form, DHS-3751 can be used to meet provider signature requirements.

    • For more information, refer to the June 23, 2026, eList announcement.

    OBRA Level II evaluative report for people with developmental disabilities

    We updated CBSM – OBRA Level II evaluative report for people with developmental disabilities to remove information about reimbursement.

    For more information, refer to the June 30, 2026, eList announcement.

    MnCHOICES certified assessors

    We updated CBSM – MnCHOICES certified assessors and made the following changes:

  • · Updated the MnCHOICES certified assessor definition.
  • · Updated assessor certification qualifications, including new education requirements.
  • · Split the MnCHOICES certified assessor training information into separate rows for steps 1-3 (certification) and step 4 (recertification).
  • · Clarified information throughout the page.

    • Training

    AASD

    AASD and the Minnesota Board on Aging offer online courses and training materials for staff from counties, tribal nations, managed care organizations, providers and other interested parties about how to better serve and support older adults.

    All courses are available in the Older Adult Programs Learning Center in TrainLink.

    For additional information, refer to DHS – AASD training and webinars.

    DSD

    Lead agency staff can take the On-Demand HCBS Disability Waiver Foundations course to learn the basics about the four disability waivers, including eligibility and covered services.

    The Supporting A Person’s Move: A Case Manager’s Role course guides case managers through their responsibilities in supporting a person to find a new home. This course also discusses different moving supports, services and tools to help people plan for successful moves, including information about Housing Stabilization Services (HSS). To find the course, go to TrainLink and search for course code “Housing_CM”.

    For information about additional trainings, refer to TrainLink – DSD training news and information.

    Previous eList announcements

    AASD LEAD AGENCY ARCHIVE | DSD LEAD AGENCY ARCHIVE | DSD STAKEHOLDER ARCHIVE

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