One DHS People, Access and Culture · Reference
People, programs and partnerships across Minnesota DHS, with a closer look at Disability Services and the work we share.
DHS works with counties, Tribal Nations, communities and providers to support Minnesotans' health, independence and life in community. Its public participation channels include meetings, comment opportunities and advisory bodies.
Related teams and partners: DHS; Counties; Tribal Nations; Service providers
The agency directory lists Aging and Disability Services, Behavioral Health, Health Care, and Homelessness, Housing and Support Services. Cross-agency functions include finance, compliance, legal counsel, inspector general, strategy and performance, employee culture, equity and inclusion, communications, and MNIT.
Related teams and partners: Aging and Disability Services; Behavioral Health; Health Care; Homelessness, Housing and Support Services
The published 2023–2027 plan has three outcomes: Minnesotans thrive, people experience high-quality services, and DHS employees thrive in an inclusive environment. Its goals address equitable access, community choice, caregiving capacity, service quality, program integrity, partnerships, inclusion, psychological safety and career growth. It also addresses continuity during agency separation.
Related teams and partners: Office of Employee Culture; Equity and Inclusion; Office of Strategy and Performance
The agency directory and CBSM introduction place Disability Services within Aging and Disability Services. DSD manages publicly funded supports for people with developmental or physical disabilities, chronic medical conditions, and acquired or traumatic brain injuries. DSD is not the DHS Licensing function; DHS retaining a license category does not mean DSD administers that license.
Related teams and partners: Disability Services Division; Aging and Disability Services
DCYF's public site covers child care, child support, child safety, family supports, food and cash assistance, and youth services. DHS's June 2025 bulletin transferred specified child-care and child-foster-care licensing functions to DCYF, while retaining other categories including HCBS and children's residential facilities.
Related teams and partners: Department of Children, Youth, and Families; DHS Licensing
DCT's 2026 fact sheet states that Direct Care and Treatment became a standalone agency on July 1, 2025.
Related teams and partners: Direct Care and Treatment; DHS
DSD's published priorities cover community participation; health, wellness and safety; a home of one's choosing; enduring relationships; control of supports; and work and income. Its goals address access, timely service, quality, partnership, innovation and person-centered decisions. The introduction displays an old review date, so it does not establish current internal targets.
Related teams and partners: Disability Services Division; County and Tribal lead agencies
The CBSM organizes assessment, support planning, case management, safeguards, eligibility, employment, service options and waiver guidance. It distinguishes BI, CAC, CADI, DD and Elderly Waiver topics. The LTSS policy directory links additional manuals for CDCS, EIDBI, Moving Home Minnesota and other programs.
Related teams and partners: Disability Services Division; Aging and Adult Services; Lead agency
MnCHOICES supports long-term services and supports assessment and planning by counties, Tribal Nations and managed care organizations. DHS coordinates related updates through aging, disability and MnCHOICES communication channels. The CBSM provides case-management policy guidance. MNIT provides technology support; managed care organizations use MnCHOICES in care coordination. Using the application does not establish responsibility for system administration.
Related teams and partners: County and Tribal lead agencies; Managed care organizations; Disability Services Division; Aging and Adult Services
DHS's person-centered, informed choice and transition protocol addresses support planning by counties, Tribal organizations and managed care organizations. HCBS settings oversight includes provider enrollment, case management and licensing.
Related teams and partners: Lead agency; Service providers; DHS Licensing; Disability Services Division
Community First Services and Supports offers flexible home and community support options and replaces personal care assistance and the Consumer Support Grant. DHS directs lead agencies to the CFSS Manual for transition guidance.
Related teams and partners: Lead agency; Disability Services Division
The new Disability Waiver Program site describes a simpler structure, individual budgets and online tools. At the September 8 review, it said implementation timing was still being determined. It provides resources, community input and Advisory Task Force on Waiver Reimagine routes.
Related teams and partners: Disability Services Division; Counties; Tribal Nations; Providers
DHS's Disability Waiver Rate System page provides rate-setting guidance and 2026 remediation updates. Current policy for the Rate Management System is linked through the CBSM.
Related teams and partners: Disability Services Division; Lead agency; Service provider
Employment First prioritizes competitive, integrated work. E1MN connects DHS, the Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Department of Education. DHS links employment exploration, development and support services, benefits-planning tools and lead-agency employment liaisons.
Related teams and partners: DHS; DEED Vocational Rehabilitation Services; MDE; Lead-agency employment liaison
DHS licenses certain home and community-based services under chapter 245D. Its licensing page distinguishes licensure from MHCP enrollment. It describes a licensing moratorium beginning January 1, 2026, anticipated through December 31, 2027, with a lead-agency-based exception process.
Related teams and partners: DHS Licensing; MHCP Provider Enrollment; Lead agency
DHS's Complex Transitions Team connects expertise for people facing barriers moving from hospital or institutional settings to community. Its technical assistance supplements existing processes; hospitals first work with the person's lead agency.
Related teams and partners: Complex Transitions Team; Hospital; Lead agency; Support team
DHS's division directory lists DSD at 651-431-4300 or 866-267-7655 and Disability Hub MN at 866-333-2466. The Hub helps people navigate services and options. DSD competitive grants are a separate route from an individual's request for service assistance.
Related teams and partners: Disability Services Division; Disability Hub MN
DSD's grants FAQ links current opportunities and explains that eligibility, deadlines and submission instructions belong to each RFP. It also provides a grants contact form and an online grant-management route.
Related teams and partners: DSD grants staff; DHS procurement and grants
MHCP includes Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare and the Minnesota Family Planning Program. DHS works with county and Tribal workers and other partners on eligibility and enrollment. Depending on the program, delivery uses fee-for-service providers or contracted managed care organizations.
Related teams and partners: Health Care Administration; County and Tribal eligibility workers; Managed care organizations; MHCP providers
DHS's CCBHC materials describe integration of mental-health and substance-use services and care coordination. They distinguish service requirements, Medicaid coverage, licensing and background-study responsibilities, and include implementation updates.
Related teams and partners: Behavioral Health Administration; Health Care Administration; DHS Licensing; Providers
DHS's housing work connects housing, services and income supports so people can live in their chosen communities.
Related teams and partners: Homelessness, Housing and Support Services; Local housing and service partners
DHS works with providers and community organizations on home and community-based supports for older adults, needs assessment and training. Its aging overview points people to Minnesota Aging Pathways and related community resources.
Related teams and partners: Aging and Adult Services; Minnesota Aging Pathways; Community providers
DHS Adult Protection provides policy, training, consultation and data work and operates the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center. The overview links reporting guidance for the public and mandated reporters.
Related teams and partners: Adult Protection; Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center
County Relations supports DHS relationships with Minnesota's 87 counties. The Office of Indian Policy coordinates consultation with Tribal governments. Lead-agency reviews examine HCBS administration and outcomes and inform improvements.
Related teams and partners: County Relations; Office of Indian Policy; County and Tribal lead agencies
DHS describes Tribal and Urban Indian Relations as supporting consultation and program development with Tribal governments. Its published focus includes sovereignty relationships, infrastructure, access, disparities, culturally appropriate programs and fiscal resources.
Related teams and partners: Office of Indian Policy; Tribal governments; Urban Indian organizations
DHS describes equal access responsibilities across the department, county human-services agencies and providers. Its civil-rights contact handles service discrimination complaints, information, records, liaison work and training through Equal Opportunity and Access.
Related teams and partners: Equal Opportunity and Access; County agency; Service provider
DHS publishes language-access resources and translated program documents to support access to information and benefits.
Related teams and partners: Program document owner; Language-access support; Communications
The directory lists development and learning, human resources and workforce planning within Employee Culture. Communications supports public and media information. MNIT supplies information infrastructure, application services and technology coordination.
Related teams and partners: Office of Employee Culture; Communications; MNIT
DHS's operations directory separates financial operations, appeals, privacy information and data requests. Financial operations includes budgets, payments and payroll support. Appeals concerns disputed benefits, services or other program decisions.
Related teams and partners: Financial Operations; Appeals Division; Data-request contact
DHS legislative staff work with lawmakers on proposals, reports and budget topics. The department publishes session fact sheets, legislative reports and background materials.
Related teams and partners: Legislative Relations; Program policy staff; Finance
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