CFC vs CDS in Texas: Two Paths to Home Care for Dallas Families

Dallas families researching Medicaid home care encounter two acronyms that sound similar and overlap in confusing ways: CFC and CDS. They’re not the same thing — but they can work together, and understanding the relationship helps your family maximize the care available.

CFC: The Funding Source

Community First Choice (CFC) is a funding source— a Medicaid state-plan benefit that pays forattendant care services. It’s not a service delivery model. CFC provides the money; how thatmoney is delivered depends on the service model the family chooses.

CDS: The Delivery Model

Consumer Directed Services (CDS) is a service delivery model— it’s how the care is organizedand who provides it. Under CDS, the care recipient (or their representative) becomes the
employer of record and hires their own attendant, including a qualifying family member. An FMSA handles payroll and compliance.

How They Work Together

CFC-funded attendant hours can be delivered through the CDS model. In practical terms, this means CFC pays for the hours, and CDS determines who provides them (your family member)and how the employment is structured (through an FMSA).

The alternative is agency-directed delivery — where CFC-funded hours are provided by an aide from a home care agency rather than a family member.

For Dallas families who want a relative to be the paid caregiver, the combination of CFC fundingdelivered through the CDS model is the ideal arrangement. CFC provides the financial backing(often without a waitlist), and CDS provides the family caregiver structure.

Why This Matters Practically

In our experience at CareChoice, the families who receive the most comprehensive home care packages in Texas are the ones whose care plans capture both CFC and STAR+PLUS HCBS funding — all delivered through CDS to a paid family member. The MCO manages the combined funding, the FMSA processes one payroll, and the family caregiver provides the care.

If your care plan only reflects one funding source, you may be leaving hours on the table.CareChoice helps Dallas families ensure every applicable program is captured in the care plan.

Contact CareChoice →Dallas team

Written by Carolyn Choates, Assistant Marketing Manager | CareChoice