DHS Amends Licensing Modifications for ADS Providers

Posted on August 26, 2020 by Roni Falck

DHS recently amended licensing modifications for ADS providers, effective August 12, 2020.  Except for the changes described below, all previously approved licensing modifications for adult day centers remain in effect.

• Allows people who live in congregate settings to attend adult day, provided that the congregate setting has not had any COVID-19 exposure in the last 28 days. Congregate settings include:

• Housing with services establishments registered under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 144D and operating assisted living as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 144G.02, subdivision1;
• Housing with services establishments registered under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 144D and required to disclose special care status under Minnesota Statutes, section 325F.72;
• Licensed adult foster care under Minnesota Rules 9555.6105 – 955.6265; or  
• Community residential settings under Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.02, subdivision 4a.

• Increases the maximum duration that a person can receive in-person, group-based services in one day from three hours to four hours. This will enable veterans and those with long-term care insurance to access adult day services.

• Increases the maximum cohort size from 8 to 10 people. The cohort includes both participants and staff. Required staffing ratios for the center must continue to be maintained.

• Removes 50 person maximum limit to allow greater flexibility for buildings with larger license capacity. Occupancy must still be limited to no more than 50% of the licensed capacity (including staff) of the facility and the following mitigation strategies must be in place and documented in the provider’s preparedness plan:

• Maintain social distancing and 10 person (including staff) cohorts throughout the day, with these requirements:
  • Common areas must be marked to provide at least 6 feet for social distancing;
  • Seating spaces must be rearranged to maximize space between people; and
  • Partitions and barriers of sufficient dimension and appropriate material must be used, e.g., plexiglass or taut heavy plastic curtains stretched and secured, as necessary, for physical barriers between cohorts.

As always, please contact us for technical assistance or any other support.