Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS)

Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) are a set of mental health services developed to provide restorative rehabilitative interventions covered by Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) to children and their families. CTSS establishes policies and practices for certification and coverage of mental health services for children who require varying therapeutic and rehabilitative levels of intervention in their homes or elsewhere in the community.

Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) components may be provided only by an agency (county, tribe or non-county agency) or a school that has been certified using the provider certification process developed by DHS.

MHCP Provider Manual, Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS)
Statute Requirements for CTSS (Minnesota Statute 256B.0943)

Application Updates

The CTSS Application DHS 3610-ENG has been updated. Older versions, previously downloaded, will not be accepted after October 31, 2019.

Application disclaimer: Because the forms are a dynamic Adobe PDF, they can only be accessed via a PC or an Apple MAC. Tablets and iPads currently are not supported. The application will open in Google Chrome or Firefox browsers, using the following instructions.

CTSS Provider Types – Community and School

Community CTSS providers are counties, tribes or non-county agencies certified by DHS to provide CTSS services and bill Medical Assistance (MA). The providers complete the certification process as a community provider and provide CTSS services in the office, home or other community settings. They also may contract with certified School CTSS providers to deliver CTSS benefit services to students under an Individual Education Plan (IEP).
Current CTSS Community Providers (XLS)

School CTSS providers are schools that are certified to provide CTSS services to students with CTSS services specified in their Individual Education Plan (IEP). The services may be provided directly by mental health professionals and practitioners employed by the school, or the school may contract with certified community CTSS providers to deliver the services recommended by the IEP.
Current CTSS School Provider (XLS)
Become a Provider – Initial Certification
There are many steps required to become a successful CTSS provider. Complete the following steps in the order listed.
1. Read the legislation and the FAQs to gain an understanding of CTSS.
2. If you have not already done so, start your business or non-profit agency – Disclaimer: We are unable to provide any assistance with starting your business.
3. Enroll staff in the required information sessions, both offered quarterly.
  - Business manager(s) and clinical supervisor(s) must attend both sessions.
  - The registration will close the Friday night before the session.
4. All CTSS providers must be certified for core CTSS services. Decide if you need to start your certification providing only core CTSS services (psychotherapy, skills training, crisis assistance) or if you plan to provide the optional CTSS services of Children’s Day Treatment and/or Mental Health Behavioral Aide (MHBA) services.
  - Optional services may be certified either at the time of initial certification or added at a later date.
  - A school contracting with a certified community CTSS provider should identify the community CTSS provider and have an executed contract attached to application.
5. Complete the Application DHS-3610-ENG.
6. Complete the Provider Assurance Statements DHS-3610A-ENG.
  - The applications/requirements must be filled out electronically.
7. Ensure your application is complete. Submitted applications must include all required documentation or it will not be reviewed.
8. Community providers: Submit your signed application, assurances and attachments to dhs.ctss@state.mn.us
9. School providers: Submit your signed application, assurances and attachments to dhs.schoolctss@state.mn.us
  - The application must be the original eDoc, and may not be altered. All documentation must be filled out electronically.
  - Applications may take approximately five weeks for DHS Behavioral Health Division staff to review, and may take longer due to scheduling.
If approved, you will need to contact Provider Enrollment, pay the fee, and receive an onsite visit from the Office of the Inspector General. Upon final approval from Provider Enrollment, you may then start providing services. This part of the process could take up to three additional months. Reference MHCP Provider Screening Requirements for more information.

If the application is not approved, you will receive a denial letter with a qualitative review form. Providers may submit a new application after one week.
Become a Provider – Intent to Bill for Individual Education Plan (IEP) Mental Health Evaluations
Current CTSS Providers – What You Need to Know
- Mental Health Training page
- Rates are published annually in the mental health reimbursement chart
How to Update/Modify Your Certification
- Adding/Modifying Application - Use the application (DHS-3610), and select “update” under type of application, to:
  - add Children’s Day Treatment
  - add Mental Health Behavioral Aide (MHBA)
  - notify DHS of program changes, including sites, administrators, CTSS contacts, or school contacts
Questions about CTSS

Individuals seeking a CTSS Provider may use the spreadsheets of current providers found under CTSS Provider Types, or call the MHCP Member Call Center at 651-431-2670.

For provider questions on CTSS policy:

Community CTSS Policy Lead
651-431-2225
dhs.ctss@state.mn.us

School CTSS Policy Lead
651-431-2225
dhs.schoolctss@state.mn.us
Re-certification
Providers seeking CTSS re-certification must use the following documents:
1. Complete the Application DHS-3610-ENG. Select “Recertification” under Application Type.
  1. If you are adding Children’s Day Treatment or Mental Health Behavioral Aide to your application, you must complete an “Update” to your application prior to recertification.
2. Complete the Provider Assurance Statements DHS-3610A-ENG.
  1. The applications/requirements must be filled out electronically.
3. Ensure your application is complete. Submitted applications must include all required documentation or it will not be reviewed.
4. Community providers: Submit your signed application, assurances and attachments to dhs.ctss@state.mn.us.
5. School providers: Submit your signed application, assurances and attachments to dhs.schoolctss@state.mn.us.
  1. The application must be the original eDoc, and may not be altered. All documentation must be filled out electronically.
  2. Applications may take approximately five weeks for DHS Behavioral Health Division staff to review, and may take longer due to scheduling.
Training – Quarterly CTSS Application Information Seminars
- All providers who are interested in becoming a CTSS provider are required to attend the Administrative and Clinical Information Sessions. Newly hired clinical supervisors and practitioners also are welcome to attend the Clinical Information Seminar. A potential CTSS provider must register the qualified Administrative Representative and Clinical Supervisor/Clinical Consultant who will be completing the application. The sessions are provided quarterly on the third Tuesday of January, April, July and October of each year. Administrative Information Sessions run from 9:00 am – noon, and Clinical Information Seminars run from 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Applicants must have completed the seminars within one year prior to submitting a CTSS application for review. Enrollment information can be found on the Children’s Mental Health Training webpage.
- Providers who provide Mental Health Behavioral Aide (MHBA) services must have all MHBA staff participate in MHBA Parent Teaming Training, as well as complete additional training through the provider.