Note: We updated this eList on June 6, 2025, to extend the deadline to submit questions for the webinar to July 7, 2025.

AASD and DSD eList announcement

Date: May 27, 2025
To: Lead agency staff and other interested parties
From: DHS Aging and Adult Services and Disability Services divisions
Purpose: To provide additional information about implementation of the extension to the duration of MnCHOICES initial assessment validity from 60 days to 365 days
Effective: July 1, 2025
Contact: For questions about disability waivers or Community First Services and Supports (CFSS), use the DSD Contact Form. For questions about Alternative Care (AC), Essential Community Supports (ECS) and Elderly Waiver (EW), email dhs.aasd.hcbs@state.mn.us.

More information about MnCHOICES initial assessments validity extension

DHS is working to answer lead agency questions and update resources to provide guidance about the MnCHOICES initial assessment validity extension and eligibility update policy change. We announced these changes in the April 1, 2025, eList announcement.

DHS actions

DHS updated the following resources:

· CBSM – Assessment applicability and timelines.

· CBSM – Eligibility updates for home and community-based services.

· CBSM – MnCHOICES.

· DD Screening Document Codebook – Nursing facility scenarios.

· DD Screening Document Codebook – DD screening document fields.

· DD Screening Document, DHS-3067 (PDF).

· LTC Screening Document – AC, BI, CAC, CADI, ECS, EW, MHM, MSC+, MSHO, DHS-3427 (PDF).

· MnCHOICES Help Center – Practice Guide: MnCHOICES assessment form v. 5.

· MnCHOICES Help Center – Practice Guide: MnCHOICES support plan form v. 5.

DHS posted the following new resources:

· CBSM – IAR.

· PartnerLink – IAR: Detailed guidance.

DHS will:

· Continue to update training materials and policy manuals.

· Publish training modules updates in June 2025.

· Provide the final resources in an eList announcement on or before July 1, 2025.

· Announce details about a webinar in August 2025 to answer lead agency questions about the updated resources.
Note: During the webinar, DHS will only answer questions lead agencies submit in advance.

Lead agency actions

Lead agencies must:

· Review the updated resources listed above.

· Share the resources with others in your organization.

· Compile your organization’s questions for DHS to answer in the webinar.

· Submit your questions to DHS through DHS – 365 days assessment viability questions submission by July 7, 2025.

Previous eList announcements

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