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BEM 232 27 of 33 DIRECT SUPPORT SERVICES BPB 2026-009 4-1-2026

BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

are unrelated to a medical need or sexual abuse and not available through Medicaid or Community Mental Health (CMH). FSS/DSS referrals for counseling must not be medically related or intended for diagnosis, treatment or prevention of any physical or mental illness, regardless of the cause. Clinical outreach, group and family counseling are appropriate if not medically related. Do not use FSS/DSS for outreach, clinical or group counseling related to sexual abuse. Refer the client to a children’s protective services unit. All contracts using DSS funding (81117) must comply with the DSS program guidelines which are available on the DCRS website. The fact that a service can be associated with an employment and train- ing barrier is not sufficient to qualify for DSS funding. There needs to be a clear designation and a primary reason for a client’s referral for services. If a DSS/TANF eligible client is pending or active with children’s services, then that is the primary reason for the service referral and the referral should be funded using a PCA that identifies the other fund source such as Strong Families/Safe Children (SF/SC) or Child Safety and Permanency Planning (CSPP/CAN). When evaluating funding associated with DSS contracts, distinguish between services that are primarily children’s services or that are related to another fund source, and services that are employment and training related as the primary reason for referral or service. Commingled Contracts The Office of Contracts and Purchasing will no longer approve any new commingled contracts to be executed (PCA 81117). All contracts using DSS funds will require the DSS fund source designation. When two fund sources are used for the same provider, two separate contracts must be executed to enforce the financial requirements and limitations of each fund source. Commodities Household items may include calendars, alarm clocks, booklets and other articles which are directly tied to an employment-related barrier and support a family’s goal of self-sufficiency.