Choose Who Provides Your Care

Consumer Directed Services (CDS) gives eligible Missouri residents greater choice and control over the personal care they receive at home. Through this program, eligible individuals can choose, hire, train, and supervise the person they want to provide their care.

How Does It Work?

Care on Your Terms

Consumer Directed Services is a Missouri Medicaid program designed to help eligible individuals remain independent and safely live in their own homes.

Instead of having an agency assign a caregiver, the person receiving services has an active role in choosing the individual who provides their care. Depending on program requirements, the caregiver may be a trusted family member, friend, or another qualified individual.

Alliance Personal Care helps support the process and provides guidance along the way.

You Choose Your Caregiver

With CDS, eligible individuals can:

  • Choose the person they want to provide their care
  • Hire and train their personal care attendant
  • Help establish a schedule that fits their needs
  • Supervise the care they receive
  • Receive assistance with approved daily living activities

The goal is to give eligible individuals more control over their care while helping them remain independent at home.

Am I Eligible?

Understanding CDS Eligibility

Consumer Directed Services is available to eligible Missouri residents who meet the program's requirements. Eligibility is determined based on factors such as Medicaid eligibility, disability, care needs, and the individual's ability to direct their own care.

You may be eligible if you:

  • Are at least 18 years old
  • Are eligible for Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet)
  • Have a qualifying physical disability or condition that requires assistance with daily living
  • Need personal care assistance to help remain safely at home
  • Are able to direct and manage your own care, or meet the program's requirements for having someone assist with directing your care
  • Meet Missouri's applicable program and care-level requirements

Eligibility and approved services are determined through the appropriate state assessment process.

Not Sure If You Qualify?

You do not need to know all the answers before reaching out. Alliance Personal Care can help you understand the program, discuss your situation, and determine what steps may be appropriate.

Request Assistance

The Process

From Application to Care

Getting started with Consumer Directed Services involves several steps. Alliance Personal Care can help guide you through the process and explain what to expect.

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1. Start With a Request

Contact Alliance Personal Care and provide some basic information about yourself, your needs, and the person who may provide your care.

2. Determine Eligibility

Your Medicaid eligibility and care needs will be reviewed through the applicable Missouri process. A state-authorized assessment may be required to determine whether you qualify for CDS and what services may be approved.

3. Complete the Assessment

An in-home assessment helps determine the level of assistance you need with daily activities and the services that may be appropriate for you.

4. Develop Your Care Plan

If you are approved, your authorized services and care needs will be established through your plan of care.

5. Choose Your Attendant

You can select a qualified person you trust to provide your personal care. Depending on program requirements, this may include a family member, friend, or another qualified caregiver.

6. Complete Attendant Enrollment

Your selected attendant must meet applicable program requirements and complete the required employment, background check, and enrollment steps.

7. Begin Receiving Care

Once the required enrollment and approval steps are completed, your attendant can begin providing the approved services according to your care plan.

How Can I Start?

Ready to Explore Consumer Directed Services?

Whether you are looking for care for yourself or want to become a caregiver for a family member, Alliance Personal Care can help you understand the next steps.

I Need Care

If you are interested in Consumer Directed Services for yourself or a loved one, start by requesting assistance. Tell us about your situation and what kind of support you need.

Request Assistance

I Want to Become a CDS Attendant

Do you want to care for a family member or someone you know who receives Consumer Directed Services?

Eligible individuals can choose their own attendant, and qualified family members or other trusted individuals may be able to provide care through the program.

If you are interested in becoming a paid CDS attendant, complete the CDS Attendant Application and Alliance Personal Care will help guide you through the next steps.

Apply to Be a CDS Attendant

What Can a CDS Attendant Help With?

Depending on the individual's approved plan of care, personal care assistance may include support with everyday activities such as:

  • Bathing and personal hygiene
  • Dressing and grooming
  • Toileting
  • Mobility and transfers

  • Meal preparation
  • Light household tasks
  • Laundry
  • Other approved activities related to daily living

Services are based on the individual's needs and authorized plan of care.

Your Care. Your Choice. Your Independence.

Consumer Directed Services can give eligible Missouri residents more control over who provides their care and how that support fits into their daily lives.

Alliance Personal Care is here to help you understand your options, navigate the process, and take the next step toward the support you need.

Request Assistance