What Is a 245D Provider? A Caring Guide for Minnesota Families

If you've started looking into in-home support for a family member in Minnesota, you've probably run into the number 245D. It shows up on provider websites, county paperwork, and case manager emails — usually without much explanation. Here's what it really means for your family.

245D is a license, not a program

Chapter 245D is the section of Minnesota law that sets the rules for home and community-based services (HCBS) — things like in-home supports, respite care, companion services, and employment support. Agencies that provide these services must be licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and follow 245D standards for staff training, background checks, service planning, and the rights of the people they serve.

In other words: 245D doesn't describe one specific service. It's the quality-and-accountability framework behind many of them.

What the license covers

A 245D license lists exactly which services an agency may provide. Categories include basic support services (like homemaker, adult companion, respite, night supervision, and individualized home supports), in-home support services with hands-on training, and employment services. An agency can only provide services that appear on its license.

Why it matters for your family

The license is your baseline of trust: it means staff are background-checked through DHS, trained before working alone, and that services follow a written, person-centered plan you help shape. From there, the differences between agencies come down to reliability, communication, and fit — which is exactly what you should ask about when you call.

Goodtimes Home Care is a fully licensed 245D provider serving Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, and Dakota counties, offering basic supports, in-home skill-building, and employment services under one roof — so support can grow with the person instead of bouncing between agencies.