Missouri Consumer Directed Services (CDS) Program
Consumer Directed Services (CDS) is a Missouri Medicaid program that allows adults with physical disabilities to hire, train, and manage their own caregivers so they can live safely and independently at home. Instead of relying on an agency to send staff, participants choose someone they trust — often a family member or friend — to provide daily support with personal care, housekeeping, meals, mobility, and essential routines. CDS keeps individuals in control of their care while Family Support Services handles payroll, training, and ongoing support.
What are the Benefits?
Benefits to the Client
- Bathing & Dressing
- Meal Preparation
- Housekeeping & Laundry
- Transportation Assistance
- Daily Living Support (ADLs & IADLs)
Benefits to the Caregiver
- Get paid to care for a loved one
- Competitive hourly rates
- Flexible hours
- Meaningful work helping family
- No prior healthcare experience required
Who qualifies as a caregiver under Medicaid rules?
Client Eligibility
To qualify for CDS in Missouri, an individual must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a physical disability requiring help with daily tasks
- Be able to self-direct their care (hire, train, and manage caregivers)
- Have active Missouri Medicaid
- Have active Missouri Medicaid
- Includes Spenddown, Blind Pension, and Transfer of Property penalty eligibility
- Have an approved Medicaid Eligibility (ME) code
- Meet Nursing Facility Level of Care (NF LOC)
- Have no history of Medicaid fraud
Caregiver Eligibility
Participants may choose almost anyone they trust to provide their care. Caregivers must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be eligible to work in the U.S.
- Complete required CDS training and onboarding
- Pass background and registry checks
- Complete required CDS training and onboarding
- Not be the participant’s spouse
- Not be the participant’s legal guardian
- Be able to assist with approved daily living tasks such as bathing, dressing, meals, mobility, housekeeping, and errands
- Caregiver utilizes EVV to clock in and out - competitive hourly pay
What are ADLs?
Caregivers are compensated for helping with activities for daily living (ADLs). They include:
- Feeding
- Bathing/Personal Hygiene
- Dressing
- Using the Toilet
- Ambulating
- Transportation
How to Become a Paid Caregiver for a Loved One in Missouri through Consumer Directed Services (CDS)
Why Choose Us
At Family Support Services, we know that caregiving is a deeply personal journey. Families choose us because we provide the support, resources, and personalized care that help them navigate this important responsibility with confidence and compassion.
Families trust us because we allow their loved ones to receive care from the people they know and feel comfortable with.
We provide caregivers with financial compensation, easing the burden of caring for loved ones while allowing them to focus on what matters most—family.
Our programs are tailored to the unique needs of each individual, ensuring that care is compassionate, personalized, and focused on improving quality of life.
From application to ongoing support, families choose us for our commitment to guiding them through the process and making caregiving as smooth as possible.