The MnCHOICES Assessment: What Minnesota Parents Should Expect and How to Prepare

What is the MnCHOICES assessment?

MnCHOICES is the tool Minnesota uses to figure out what long-term services and supports a person needs. Instead of separate applications for each program, one assessment looks at the whole person — health, daily living skills, behavior, communication, safety and family situation — and determines eligibility for several programs at once.

For children, that commonly includes PCA/CFSS, the CADI and DD waivers, CDCS and related county supports. It's different from a medical diagnosis, a school evaluation or the CMDE used for EIDBI autism therapy. Those documents are useful inputs, but they don't replace MnCHOICES.

“Person-centered” means the assessor should learn what matters to your child and family, not just check boxes. Use that: talk about your goals as well as your challenges.

What programs can a MnCHOICES assessment open for a child?

One assessment can determine eligibility for several programs. Depending on your child's needs and Medical Assistance status, the results may cover:

• PCA or CFSS — paid hands-on help with daily activities and behavior
• The CADI waiver — for children who need a nursing-facility level of care
• The Developmental Disabilities (DD) waiver — for children with developmental disabilities or related conditions, which can include autism
• The Community Alternative Care (CAC) waiver — for children with significant medical needs
• Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS) — the family-directed budget option within the waivers
• Case management and referrals to other county supports, such as respite

How do I request a MnCHOICES assessment?

You can request an assessment even if your child isn't on Medical Assistance yet. Most services require MA before they start, so apply for MA or MA-TEFRA at the same time.

1. Call your county's human services intake line or your tribal nation's social services. In Hennepin County, that's the Front Door at (612) 348-4111. Ramsey, Dakota, Anoka and other counties list their own intake numbers on their websites.
2. Say: “I'd like to request a MnCHOICES assessment for my child for disability services.” Share your child's name, date of birth, MA number if they have one, and a short description of their needs.
3. Write down the date you called and the name of the person you spoke with.
4. If you haven't heard back within a couple of weeks, call again and ask for the status of your request.

How long does it take to get a MnCHOICES assessment?

Counties are generally expected to offer an assessment within about 20 calendar days of a request. In practice, scheduling depends on assessor availability, and some counties run longer during busy periods. If you're offered a date far out, ask about a cancellation list.

The visit itself often takes a couple of hours, sometimes longer for children with complex needs. Afterward, the assessor finalizes the results and you receive written notice of eligibility, which can take additional weeks.

Who comes to the assessment, and what do they ask?

A certified assessor from your county, tribal nation or a contracted agency leads the assessment, usually in your home. Some counties offer remote options in certain situations. Your child typically needs to be present for at least part of it. Expect questions about:

• Daily activities — dressing, eating, bathing, toileting, grooming and moving around
• Behavior — aggression, self-injury, elopement (running or wandering away), property destruction, and how often each happens
• Supervision — how much of the day your child needs close adult attention, including overnight
• Communication and social skills
• Health — diagnoses, medications, seizures, sleep and feeding issues
• School, therapy and current supports
• Family situation — caregiver stress, other children, work schedules and help you already have

How do I prepare for a MnCHOICES assessment for a child with autism?

For children, the assessor compares your child's needs with what's typical for the same age. A 4-year-old needing help dressing isn't unusual; a 10-year-old needing full help is.

Parents often under-report. We're used to coping, and it can feel disloyal to describe our kids at their hardest. But the assessment measures need. If you describe a good day, your child may be assessed as needing less help than they really do.

• Describe the worst days, not the best — and say how often they happen (daily, several times a week).
• Keep a one- or two-week log before the visit: meltdowns, injuries, elopement attempts, night wakings, how long routines take.
• List every way you supervise — locked doors, alarms, never leaving your child alone in the bath, sleeping in their room.
• Gather records: diagnosis reports, the CMDE, IEP or IFSP, therapy progress notes and a medication list.
• Write down how long daily routines take with your help — for example, a 45-minute bedtime that requires constant prompting.
• Bring a support person — a partner, relative or advocate from The Arc Minnesota — to take notes.
• Ask whether part of the conversation can happen away from your child so you can speak openly.
• Ask for an interpreter ahead of time if your family is more comfortable in a language other than English.

What happens after the MnCHOICES assessment?

You'll receive written notice of what your child is eligible for — for example, PCA/CFSS hours or eligibility for a waiver. If your child qualifies for a waiver, a case manager helps you build a support plan, choose services or CDCS, and find providers.

Read every notice carefully. If you disagree — the hours seem too low, or your child was found ineligible — you have the right to request a state fair hearing (an appeal). The notice explains how to appeal and the deadline, which can be short. Disability Hub MN and The Arc Minnesota can help you prepare.

Reassessments generally happen at least once a year, or sooner if your child's needs change. Keep your log going so the next one is easier.

Keep in mind

This is general information, not legal, medical or benefits advice. Assessment tools, timelines and program rules change, and Minnesota has updated MnCHOICES in recent years. Confirm current details with your county, tribal nation or the Minnesota Department of Human Services.