DSD eList announcement
Date: July 5, 2023
To: Lead agency staff, contracted case management providers, case managers and other interested parties
From: DHS Disability Services Division
Purpose: To provide information about 2023 legislative changes to training requirements for disability waiver case managers and changes to benefits planning
Effective: July 1, 2023
Contact: DSD Contact Form
Legislative changes to case manager training requirements and benefits planning
Changes to case manager training requirements
Effective July 1, 2023, case managers must complete 20 hours of education and disability-related training each year if they work with a person who uses:
This is an increase from the previously required 10 hours per year.
Case managers can complete the 20 hours of training annually by calendar year or annually by hire date according to their lead agency (county or tribal nation).
Required topics
The 20 hours of education and training must now include:
The legislative changes also require case managers to complete an employment planning training course by Aug. 1, 2024. For case managers hired after Aug. 1, 2024, they must complete this training within the first six months of providing case management services. DHS will provide information about how to access the one-time employment training in the future.
Recommended trainings
DHS – Training opportunities for case managers and care coordinators includes a list of recommended trainings to help disability waiver case managers meet these requirements. This resource is part of DHS – Case manager and care coordinator toolkit.
With the exception of the employment planning training, case managers can be flexible in the trainings they use to meet the 20-hour requirement. They may receive training from DHS, a lead agency or providers approved by a lead agency.
Training documentation
The legislative changes require case managers to document completion of training in a system identified by DHS. Currently, DHS is exploring the available systems to document and monitor training completion. While we work to identify a system and create guidance, lead agencies must continue to monitor and record completion of case manager training as indicated on CBSM – Waiver, AC and ECS case management.
Changes to informed choice related to benefits planning
To help ensure informed choice, the legislative changes require that case managers offer all working-age people with disabilities benefits-planning assistance and support to understand:
Lead agencies can authorize benefits planning under employment exploration, employment development and employment support waiver services. For more information about these services, refer to CBSM – Employment exploration, CBSM – Employment development and CBSM – Employment support.
Additional information
DHS is working to update our policy manuals to reflect these changes and will share additional information soon.
Authority for changes
During the 2023 legislative session, the Legislature added the new training requirements to Minn. Stat. §256B.49, subd. 13 (e) and Minn. Stat. §256B.092, subd. 1a (f). As of July 1, 2023, statute has not yet been updated to reflect the requirement. The requirement currently is located in 2023 Minn. Laws, Ch. 61, art. 1, sec. 20 and 2023 Minn. Laws, Ch. 61, art. 1, sec. 18.
During the 2023 legislative session, the Legislature added the new benefits-planning requirement to Minn. Stat. §256B.4905, subd. 4 (a). As of July 1, 2023, statute has not yet been updated to reflect the requirement. The requirement currently is located in 2023 Minn. Laws, Ch. 61, art. 1, sec. 21.
Report this page