Consumer Directed Services Program

Consumer Directed Services (CDS)

Consumer Directed Services ProgramThe Consumer Directed Services (CDS) Program allows adults who are 18 years of age and older with significant physical disabilities to obtain assistance with personal care and activities of daily living. Participants are able to stay in their own home and avoid nursing home placement, leave a nursing home and return to their community, or use the CDS Program instead of a traditional home care agency.  Participants are able to hire a family member (other than a spouse), a friend, or they can select individuals from Heartland Independent Living Center’s (HILC) attendant registry list to be their personal care attendant(s)- the choice is theirs! Participants in the CDS Program through HILC are given helpful information on how to hire attendants to assist them with their activities of daily living.  The participant is the employer; however, HILC, as the provider, handles payroll issues on behalf of the participant.

Why Choose Heartland Independent Living Center for Attendant Care?

HILC has been administering the CDS Program since 2002.  Our number one goal in providing assistance is helping people maintain their independence in their own homes, rather than having to move into an institutional setting, because “Home is Where the Heart is.”

CDS Program ParticipantWe believe that personal choice is a key to achieving the level of independence that individuals with disabilities desire.  With the CDS Program, participants are given the freedom to hire their own attendants and to direct their own care based on their needs assessment.  Since participants in the Program are the employer of their attendants, they have a greater level of control over their care.  Simply stated, Your Care is in Your Hands.

In addition to the attendant assistance, HILC also offers many value-added services including: Adaptive Equipment Loans, Advocacy, Information and Referral, Peer Support, Independent Living Skills Training, and In-Home Care

For more information about the CDS Program, call (573) 437-5100

CDS Eligibility Requirements

Individuals must meet certain criteria to be eligible for Consumer Directed Services, including:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Must be eligible for MO HealthNet (Medicaid).
  • Must meet level of care as set by Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
  • Must be able to fully direct their own care.
  • Be physically disabled.
  • Be capable of living independently with the services of a personal care attendant.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) (or its designee), will assess individuals who meet the minimum qualifications to see if they are eligible for the CDS Program. If a person is eligible, DHSS and the potential participant will create a Plan of Care (POC) that outlines the type(s) of service(s) the person will be approved to receive from a personal care attendant through the CDS Program.

Can I receive CDS where I live?

Heartland Consumer Directed Services ProgramHILC primarily serves CDS Program participants in Franklin, Gasconade and Maries counties; however, several participants live in bordering counties. If you live outside of HILC’s primary service area, you are still able to receive CDS though a Center for Independent Living or another approved agency.

What types of Services are available through CDS?

CDS provides people with disabilities assistance in the following areas.  Participants may qualify for some or all of these services:

  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
  • Toileting
  • Transferring
  • Range of motion
  • Meal preparation/feeding/cleanup
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Transportation for errands (shopping, paying bills, banking, picking up medication)

How can I become a CDS participant through Heartland Independent Living Center?

If you meet the minimum qualifications, please call (573) 437-5100.  The HILC Intake Specialist will complete a preliminary screening with you and send it on to DHSS for an assessment. Once your DHSS assessment is completed and your Plan of Care is authorized, the HILC Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Specialist will provide you with training materials to help you prepare your Personal Care Attendant for employment. If you don’t have someone in mind to be your attendant, the HCBS Specialist can provide you with a list of registered attendants looking for participants in your area.

Who can become a personal care attendant?

Heartland Independent Living Center CDS ProgramCDS Program participants can hire up to four personal care attendants. An attendant can be any qualified caregiver who is at least 18 years of age, chosen by the CDS Program participant, including a family member (other than a spouse).

A CDS Program participant is the legal employer of his or her personal care attendant. Participants are responsible for interviewing, hiring, scheduling, directing and, if necessary, firing an attendant. Personal care attendants do not work for HILC.

Personal care attendants must pass a background check through the Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR). HILC completes all required background checks.

If requested, HILC will provide support and assistance and training to a CDS Program participant.

For information on becoming an attendant, visit Becoming an Attendant.

Becoming an Attendant

What does a personal care attendant need to do to begin working?

All perspective personal care attendants must visit HILC prior to being employed by a CDS Program participant. When an attendant visits, he or she must:

  • Complete a CDS Attendant application
  • Present a current, original state-issued photo ID;  an original Social Security card;  cash, check, or a money order for $15.25 (one-time fee) to cover FCSR registration costs.

If an attendant is already listed on the FCSR, only a current, original state-issued photo ID and original Social Security card are needed.

When can a personal care attendant begin working?

A personal care attendant can begin working for the CDS Program participant after receiving a clear background check and being notified by HILC staff that approval to begin working has been received.

Who pays a personal care attendant?

Heartland Consumer Directed Services ProgramThe CDS Program is funded by MO HealthNet (Medicaid).

A participant must be eligible to receive MO HealthNet (Medicaid) in order for a personal care attendant to be paid.

Verified and approved attendant services are billed to MO HealthNet (Medicaid) in accordance with the Plan of Care authorized by DHSS.

The attendant is paid with money received from a participant’s MO HealthNet (Medicaid) account for authorized Plan of Care service(s) provided to the participant.

How much is a personal care attendant paid?

As of January 1, 2017, the hourly wage range for CDS attendants is $10.30 up to $10.50 an hour.  The CDS participant determines the attendant’s wage from that wage range.

Missouri Centers for Independent Living (MOCIL)

Missouri Centers for Independent Living (MOCIL) provides networking and advocacy support for the 22 Centers for Independent Living in Missouri, providing practical assistance for people with disabilities, to give them meaningful options for their own care. Learn more about MOCIL services, advocacy, and peer support.