Stay in your own home, with help from people you trust.
Consumer Directed Services is a Missouri Medicaid program that lets you hire, train, and manage your own personal care attendant — often a family member or friend. Specialist In Care takes care of the payroll, taxes, and paperwork so you can focus on living well.
Prefer to talk? Call (314) 279-9976
Missouri Residents — You May Qualify!
You're likely eligible if the person needing care has Medicaid.
Four simple steps to care on your terms
CDS puts you in charge. Here's what the process looks like from your first phone call to your attendant's first paycheck.
- Step 1
Check your eligibility
Call or send us a message. We'll walk you through Missouri Medicaid requirements and start your assessment — no paperwork headaches.
- Step 2
Choose your attendant
Pick someone you already trust: a daughter, a neighbor, a longtime friend. You hire and train them, and we help them get approved.
- Step 3
We handle payroll & paperwork
Timesheets, paychecks, tax filings, enrollment forms, and compliance records — all handled by our team, on time, every time.
- Step 4
You direct your own care
You set the schedule and decide how tasks get done. We stay in the background, ready whenever you need support.
You direct the care. We carry the paperwork.
Being an employer shouldn't feel like a second job. Our team manages the administrative side of CDS from day one.
Attendant payroll
Accurate timesheet processing and dependable direct-deposit paychecks for your attendant.
Tax filing & withholding
Federal and Missouri employment taxes, W-2s, and year-end filings taken care of for you.
Enrollment & Medicaid paperwork
We guide you through applications, assessments, and MO HealthNet documentation start to finish.
Compliance & background checks
Registry screenings, required trainings, and recordkeeping that keep your services in good standing.
Ongoing support
A real person on the phone when questions come up — about hours, pay, forms, or a change in your needs.
Attendant onboarding
We handle new-hire paperwork so your chosen attendant can get started and get paid quickly.
Wondering if CDS is right for you?
Missouri's CDS program is designed for adults who need a hand with everyday tasks but want to keep living at home and making their own choices. Most people qualify if the following sound familiar:
Not sure where you stand? That's normal — eligibility rules can be confusing. Give us a call and we'll walk through it with you, free of charge.
Check my eligibility- You live in Missouri and are enrolled in (or eligible for) MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid).
- You are generally age 18 or older and have a physical disability or condition that makes daily tasks difficult.
- You need help with things like bathing, dressing, meals, mobility, or light housekeeping.
- You are able to direct your own care — or have someone who can help direct it with you.
- A state assessment confirms your need for personal care services.
Already caring for someone? Get paid for it.
If you're helping a parent, a friend, or a neighbor with daily life, you may be able to become their paid personal care attendant. We'll help you through hiring paperwork, background screening, and getting on payroll.
- Family members and friends are welcome to apply (spouses and legal guardians have some restrictions).
- No prior professional experience or certification required to get started.
- Paid on a regular payroll schedule with taxes handled correctly.
- Flexible hours built around the person you're already helping.
Let's talk about your care
Tell us a little about your situation. There's no cost and no obligation — just a friendly conversation about whether CDS is right for you.