Important Phone Numbers
Children Intake - 651-266-3613
Adult Intake - 651-266-4012
What does it Mean to Receive Developmental Disability Services?
An estimated 8,200 people in Ramsey County have a developmental disability. Ramsey County Community Human Services provides assistance to approximately 3,000 of these individuals.
Ramsey County offers services to individuals to maximize the person’s independence and choice while assuring health and safety. Contact the Ramsey County intake department at 651-266-4500 for children or 651-266-4012 for adults to discuss our program eligibility requirements.
Eligibility is determined based on an individual’s testing of cognitive (IQ) and adaptive living skills (skills of daily living). Eligible individuals will be assigned a case manager from the county. The case manager reviews various appropriate service possibilities with the eligible individuals. The availability of specific services will vary depending on budget resources. Some services have waiting lists.
A person eligible for services can receive case management as long as eligibility standards continue to be met. Developmental Disability Services are divided into four categories:
Early Intervention Services
Children’s Services
Transition Services
Adult Services
Services Offered?
Case Management
This service is available to persons with mental retardation or a related condition. The purpose of this service is to help locate, coordinate and monitor social and daily living activities, medical services, and other services needed to meet the specific needs of a person and his/her family. In Ramsey County, clients are grouped for case management purposes into caseload specialties of 0-5 yrs, 6-15 years, 16-22 years and Adult.
Family Support Grant (FSG)
The Family Support Grant program provides cash grants of up to $200 dollars per month to families of children with mental retardation or a related condition. The FSG program is intended to prevent or delay out of home placement of children and to increase families’ access to client directed services.
To be eligible for the FSG program the child must be certified as having a disability, under the age of 21, and living in their biological or adoptive home. There is also a family income cap to be eligible for the program.
Vocational Services
The primary components of vocational services are employment, daily living skills, leisure and recreation and senior/retirement services. All the components provide individuals with developmental disabilities an opportunity to be involved in the community. Services include:
- Supported Employment
- Employment and Alternative Services
- Day Training and Habilitation
- Adult Day Care
- Senior/Retirement
Employment First Initiative
Residential Services
Residential services are provided. Homes are licensed to provide 24 hour a day services to people. Depending on the type of licensed site the size of the home may vary from 4 to 64. Services include:
- Supported Living Services (group homes)
- Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF/MR)
- Foster Care
Semi – Independent Living Services (SILS)
Semi – Independent Living Services are services that support adults with disabilities in a way that will enable them to live as independently as possible. The services may include: money management, meal preparation, shopping, and personal development.
To be eligible for the SILS program an individual must meet all of the following criteria: be 18 years of age or older, be diagnosed with mental retardation or a related condition, and be unable to function independently without semi- independent living services.
Support Services
An array of support services are provided that help individuals stay in their home. Support services provide assistance to care givers. Services include:
- Family Support Grant
- In-Home Family Support
- Respite Services
- Personal Care Assistant Services
Mental Retardation/Related Condition (MR/RC) Home and Community Based Waiver
The MR/RC Waiver provides funding for home and community-based services for children and adults with mental retardation or related conditions. Waiver services may be provided in a person’s own home, in his/her biological or adoptive family’s home, in a relative’s home, in a family foster care home or in a corporate foster care home.
To learn more about the MR/RC Home and Community Based Waiver go to State of Minnesota Website.
Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) is an option for individuals on the MR/RC Home and Community Based Waiver Program. CDCS is a unique service option that gives persons more flexibility and responsibility for directing their own services and supports, which includes hiring and managing direct care staff.
The following documents provide additional information and tools related to CDCS.
Transition Services (16-22 years of age)
The transition years are an exciting and challenging time of change for adolescents, young adults and their families. Youth face many issues that a Ramsey County Case Manager who specializes in transition can help address. Some of these include: turning 18; change from children’s resources to adult resources; new adult resources which may now be available; exploring adult living and vocational services; and guardianship. Schools address this transition age from age 14 until a person leaves public education. Ramsey County Community Human Services attempts to match this as closely as possible so transition services are coordinated between County and Schools.
Useful links and documents for transition services:
Ramsey County Transition Documents (PDF):
Pacer Center - Parent Advocacy Coalition for Education Rights (pacer) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to expand opportunities that enhance the quality of life for children and young adults with disabilities.
CTIC – Community Transition Interagency Committees are state mandated committees designed to assist a variety of organizations who plan for the needs of Transition age students. Two CTIC’s serve Ramsey County:
Ramsey County North Suburban
St. Paul Public Schools
Minnesota Children with Special Needs
Medical Assistance (MA):
Who is eligible?
Children under the age of 21, parents or relative caretaker of dependent children and people who are 65 or older and people who have a disability.
What are the income limits?
Income limits vary depending on family size, age, and whether someone has a disability.
Are there asset limits?
People can only have a limited number of assets.
What services are paid?
Covered health care services include doctor visits, prescriptions and more.
What does it cost?
There is no cost for those who meet income limits, but some individuals may have a co-pay.
How do I apply?
Fill out a Minnesota Health Care Program Application and send it to the Ramsey County Community Human Services.
If there are questions contact - Department of Human Services at 651-431-2670 or Ramsey County at 651-266-4444.
TEFRA Medical Assistance
Who is eligible?
To qualify for TEFRA, a child must meet ALL of the following conditions:
- live with at least one parent.
- be under 18, and have a disability determination from the State Medical Review Team.
- need a certain level of home health care to stay at home, which compares to the level of care provided in a hospital, nursing home or an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded.
- the cost for home care must not be more than the cost for care in a medical institution.
What are the income limits?
The net income limit is $776 per month. Only the child’s income is used to determine eligibility. Children whose income is more than the income limit can still qualify if they have enough medical bills to meet a spend down. A spend down is like an insurance deductible.
Are there asset limits?
There is no asset limit.
What services are paid?
Covered health care services include all services covered under Minnesota’s Medical Assistance program.
What does it cost?
Parents may be required to pay a parental fee. Parental fees are calculated by using the parents’ adjusted gross income (before taxes) from last year's tax return and comparing it to the Federal Poverty Guideline.
How do I apply?
Fill out a Minnesota Health Care Program Application and send it to Ramsey County Community Human Services.
If there are questions contact – The Department of Human Services at 651-431-3806 or Ramsey County at 651-266-4439
Useful Links:
The following links are included for your convenience. These organizations are operated independently of Ramsey County, but may offer additional helpful information.
Social Security - Apply on-line for social security benefits for individuals with disabilities.
Social Security Administration(SSA) Disability Starter Kit
The kit helps you get ready for your disability interview or online application. Kits are available for adults and children.
Selective Services Registration – All young men, age 18 and above, must register for any potential draft to the armed services. Any issue about readiness to serve will be addressed only if/when there is an actual draft.
Arc Greater Twin Cities - Phone: 952-920-0855
Arc provides information and assistance to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families across the lifespan. Services range from parent and sibling networking groups to educational workshops on disability issues to special education.
Disability Linkage Line - This resource is funded by a State sponsored grant. It is available in 4 regions that cover Minnesota and is run by the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living.
The Minnesota Children and Special Health Needs(MCSHN) Information and Assistance Line - This Information and Assistance Line can help you find the right resources to meet special needs. The service is free and confidential.
Questions to Ask Providers When Making Decisions About Residential Supports for Family Members With Disabilities
STAR Program for Assistive Technology - A System of Technology to Achieve Results(STAR) was created by the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act. STAR informs Minnesotans about issues of assistive technology, opens the door to assistive technology for the citizens of Minnesota through state and federal legislation, works with state agencies and builds/maintains community collaboration and communication efforts.
Institute for Community Integration - This University of Minnesota Institute focuses on research, professional training, technical assistance and publishing to improve community service and social services available to persons with developmental and other disabilities.
Life Pages – Contact Life Pages at 651-866-0225 for more information. Life Pages was developed with the disability community in mind and with the goal of helping people find information and connect to the community.
