Note: DHS updated this eList on April 29, 2026, to add links to the Somali versions of the survey. If you need more time to complete the survey due to this delay, email PositiveSupports@state.mn.us.

AASD and DSD eList announcement

Date: April 28, 2026
To: Lead agencies; positive support, specialist and crisis respite service providers; people who receive services; and other interested parties
From: DHS Aging and Adult Services and Disability Services divisions
Purpose: To share a survey about proposed changes to positive support and specialist services
Deadline: May 31, 2026
Contact: PositiveSupports@state.mn.us

Survey about proposed changes to positive support and specialist services

DHS is conducting a survey to gather feedback about proposed changes to positive support and specialist services.

We gathered input from hundreds of people on how to improve the services. Now, we want to know if the draft of the new combined service will meet people’s needs.

Survey details

Use the following information to complete the survey:

· How to take the survey:
Full survey: English
Shortened survey: English
Full survey: Hmong
Shortened survey: Hmong
Full survey: Somali
Shortened survey: Somali

· Service redesign draft: DRAFT – New disability waiver service: Specialized services (PDF)

· Survey deadline: May 31, 2026

· Audience: Adults who are eligible to receive positive support or specialist services, providers, lead agency representatives and other adults who live or work in Minnesota.
Note: If a person younger than age 18 receives positive support or specialist services, an adult age 18 or older may complete this survey on their behalf, with the person’s input.

· Survey details: You are not required to participate in this survey. All questions after the first two are optional. All responses are anonymous. Your decision to complete the survey and your answers will not affect any services you receive.

Reasons for proposed changes

DHS, other state agencies and partners are exploring proposed changes to positive support and specialist services to:

· Improve timely access to the services.

· Increase the number of service providers.

· Expand service components to better meet people’s needs.

· Improve the quality of the services.

· Reduce costs.

· Address service duplication issues.

Description of proposed changes

The proposed changes to positive support and specialist services include:

· Creation of one unified service by combining positive support services with specialist services. The service is called “specialized services” in this draft. The title may change.

· Expanded provider reimbursement opportunities (e.g., supporting people with transitions).

· Allowing multiple types of professionals (e.g., occupational therapist and mental health professional) to bill under the service at the same time when necessary to collaborate on a care need.

· Expanded provider qualification opportunities that acknowledge the value of both formal educational training and on-the-job experience.

· Flexibility to provide professional oversight that aligns with the person’s level of need.

· Clarification on expected outcomes and service requirements, particularly when the provider will deliver services for more than a year.

To review the potential changes, refer to DRAFT – New disability waiver service: Specialized services (PDF).

Information sessions

DHS invites you to ask questions about the draft during one of the following information sessions. The same content will be covered at each session, so you only need to attend one.

Information session 1

· Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026

· Time: 2:05 to 2:55 p.m.

· Meeting link: Webex – May 14, 2026, information session

· Meeting number: 2486 931 4716

Information session 2

· Date: Monday, May 18, 2026

· Time: 10:05 to 10:55 a.m.

· Meeting link: Webex – May 18, 2026, information session

· Meeting number: 2492 290 4181

Information session 3

· Date: Friday, May 29, 2026

· Time: 1:05 to 1:55 p.m.

· Meeting link: Webex – May 29, 2026, information session

· Meeting number: 2497 159 2269

DHS actions

DHS will:

· Gather input on the service components (e.g., what will be provided, who will provide it).

· Use input on the service components to revise the draft of proposed changes.

· Share the revised draft of the service with a second survey to gather input on service delivery costs in 2026.
Note: DHS has not decided on recommendations for the service rate, nor framework rate versus market rate.

· Use the information we gathered to recommend changes about positive support and specialist services to the Minnesota Legislature and the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Note: The authority to make the changes will come from the Minnesota Legislature and CMS.

Background information

DHS received authority to explore proposed changes to positive support and specialist services during the 2023 legislative session through Laws 2023, chapter 61, article 1, section 74.

For more information about this initiative, refer to DHS – Intervention and respite service redesign.

Previous eList announcements

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