COMMUNITY INTEGRATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN KENTUCKY

Fatumata Kaba
Jul 25
4 min read

BUILDING INCLUSION AND INDEPENDENCE THROUGH MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Community Integration Services in Kentucky help individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (ID/DD), brain injuries, and other complex support needs become active and valued participants in their local communities. These services are covered under specific Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers and focus on increasing social inclusion, building life skills, and supporting personal goals through structured, person-centered activities outside the home.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) — Department for Medicaid Services (DMS)

Role: Oversees provider enrollment, service authorization, and Medicaid reimbursement for community-based services

Agency: Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID)

Role: Defines quality standards and monitors outcomes for waiver programs involving community integration

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Enforces federal Home and Community-Based Settings (HCBS) regulations to ensure that services promote inclusion and individual rights

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)

Role: Approve service authorizations, manage credentialing, and oversee care plan implementation

2. SERVICE OVERVIEW

Community Integration Services support individuals in developing the skills and confidence necessary to engage in everyday community life in a way that reflects their personal interests, preferences, and goals.

Authorized services may include:

Accompaniment to community events, volunteer sites, or social groups
Support in accessing public resources (e.g., libraries, recreation centers, faith-based organizations)
Skill development in areas like communication, transportation use, money management, and social interaction
Facilitation of community relationships, memberships, and self-advocacy
Behavioral support and supervision to reduce isolation and promote independence
Goal-based participation in integrated activities that align with the Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP)

Services must occur in non-institutional, community-based settings and reflect the participant’s choices and personal development goals.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Kentucky Secretary of State
Obtain IRS EIN and Type 2 NPI
Enroll through the Medicaid Partner Portal Application (MPPA)
Obtain approval under appropriate HCBS waivers (e.g., SCL, MPW, ABI)
Maintain general liability and workers’ compensation insurance
Develop a Community Integration Policy & Procedure Manual
Hire trained staff with experience supporting individuals with disabilities in community settings
Ensure HIPAA compliance and create documentation systems for progress tracking and incident reporting

4. KENTUCKY PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid Enrollment via MPPA

Apply under the waiver-specific provider type (e.g., Community Access, Community Living Support, Community Integration)
Complete credentialing with all MCOs serving your region

Step 2: Documentation Submission

Submit business license, insurance, service policies, and staff credentials
Provide sample activity plans, daily progress notes, and goal tracking forms

Step 3: Service Authorization & Implementation

Coordinate with waiver case managers to define individual goals
Begin service delivery based on PCSP
Document progress, submit attendance records, and bill for authorized units of service

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Kentucky business license
IRS EIN and NPI confirmation
Proof of insurance (liability and workers’ compensation)
Community Integration Policy & Procedure Manual, including:
- Participant intake and activity planning forms
- Goal tracking sheets and progress documentation templates
- Incident and safety reporting protocols
- Participant consent and rights documentation
- Staff training, supervision logs, and community partner engagement records
- HIPAA policies and confidentiality procedures
- Medicaid billing logs and audit-ready records

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Community Integration Specialist / Support Worker

Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; experience with ID/DD or ABI populations preferred; cleared background check; valid driver’s license if transporting participants

Role (optional): Community Engagement Coordinator

Requirements: Develops partnerships with community organizations and oversees staff activity planning and compliance

All staff must complete:

HIPAA and participant rights training
Person-centered planning and inclusion training
Abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention
Community safety, transportation support, and incident response procedures
Ongoing annual training in disability services and community development

7. MEDICAID PROGRAMS & HCBS WAIVERS

Community Integration Services are available under:

Supports for Community Living (SCL) Waiver
Michelle P. Waiver (MPW)
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI & ABI-LTC) Waivers

Service delivery settings include:

Public venues and community hubs
Volunteer sites, faith-based institutions, recreation centers
Participant-chosen spaces where integration and choice are prioritized
NOT permitted in segregated or institutional environments

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Manual Development

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and MCO Credentialing

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring, Community Mapping, and Safety Setup

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Participant Referrals and Service Launch

Timeline: Rolling, based on PCSP approvals and authorizations

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services (DMS)

Website: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms

Medicaid Provider Enrollment (MPPA): https://mppa.ky.gov

Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID)

Website: https://dbhdid.ky.gov

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS)

Website: https://chfs.ky.gov

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — KENTUCKY COMMUNITY INTEGRATION PROVIDER

WCG supports disability-focused organizations, nonprofits, and new Medicaid providers in launching high-impact, person-centered Community Integration Services across Kentucky.

Scope of Work:

MPPA Medicaid enrollment and MCO credentialing
Community Integration Policy & Procedure Manual development
Staff training materials, goal tracking forms, and activity planning templates
Safety protocols and community resource mapping tools
Documentation systems for HIPAA, billing, and quality audits
Marketing templates and referral partnerships with waiver teams and local community programs