COMMUNITY INTEGRATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN OKLAHOMA

Fatumata Kaba
Sep 8
3 min read

SUPPORTING INCLUSION, INDEPENDENCE, AND PARTICIPATION IN EVERYDAY COMMUNITY LIFE

Community Integration Services in Oklahoma are designed to help individuals with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities actively participate in their communities. These services reduce isolation, build social skills, and promote personal growth by supporting individuals in accessing community events, volunteering, recreation, and relationship-building. They are authorized under Oklahoma Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, particularly through the DDS Community Waiver, In-Home Supports Waiver, and Living Choice Program.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA)

Role: Manages Medicaid enrollment, reimbursement, and compliance for community-based services.

Agency: Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) – Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)

Role: Approves providers and service plans, monitors community participation goals, and ensures quality of supports.

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)**

Role: Ensures that services comply with federal HCBS regulations, including community inclusion and person-centered planning.

2. COMMUNITY INTEGRATION SERVICES OVERVIEW

These services provide support for individuals to participate in typical community activities of their choice, helping them build relationships, achieve personal goals, and become active members of society.

Approved providers may deliver:

Individualized Community Outings: Support for shopping, attending events, dining out, or participating in civic or spiritual activities.
Volunteering Support: Assisting individuals in finding and participating in community service or volunteer opportunities.
Recreation & Leisure Engagement: Supporting involvement in art classes, sports, fitness, and hobbies.
Social Skills Building: Coaching individuals in communication, decision-making, and self-advocacy.
Peer Interaction Facilitation: Encouraging friendships and natural supports through shared activities.
Community Access Planning: Identifying goals and planning meaningful, inclusive experiences.
Documentation: Activity logs, goal progress, participant feedback, and Medicaid billing forms.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2).
Enroll with OHCA and apply to be a certified provider through OKDHS DDS.
Maintain liability and professional insurance.
Develop a Community Integration Services Policy & Procedure Manual.
Ensure staff meet waiver training, background checks, and documentation requirements.

4. OKLAHOMA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Business Formation

Establish legal structure and acquire required insurance and credentials.

Step 2: DDS Provider Certification

Submit application to OKDHS with staff training plans, documentation systems, and community activity outlines.

Step 3: OHCA Enrollment

Apply through the SoonerCare Provider Portal with the appropriate service category selection.

Step 4: Service Launch

Begin delivering services based on participant-centered plans and receive authorizations from case managers.

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Business license and Articles of Incorporation
IRS EIN and NPI confirmation
Liability insurance certificates
Community Integration Services Policy & Procedure Manual, including:
- Person-centered planning and community activity protocols
- Risk assessment and safety planning
- Transportation coordination procedures
- Participant rights and HIPAA compliance
- Incident reporting and supervision guidelines
- Staff training logs and competency assessments
- Medicaid billing forms, activity logs, and service summaries

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Community Support Specialist / Integration Facilitator

Requirements: Experience in human services or disability support; background clearance; First Aid/CPR; DDS-required training.

Role: Program Manager / Supervisor

Requirements: Oversight experience in HCBS services; knowledge of waiver documentation, supervision, and community engagement strategies.

All staff must complete:

Participant rights and dignity training
HIPAA and confidentiality modules
Community safety and travel support protocols
Ongoing annual education and activity planning workshops

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Community Integration Services are available through:

Community Waiver (DDS) – for individuals needing full-time supports
In-Home Supports Waiver (Adult and Child) – supports for part-time or limited inclusion activities
Living Choice Program – includes transitional integration services post-institutional discharge
ADvantage Waiver (limited use, depending on plan goals)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Setup & Policy Development

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: DDS Certification & OHCA Enrollment

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Staff Training & Community Access Planning

Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Service Delivery & Participant Matching

Timeline: Begins once referrals are received and service plans are approved

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA)

Website: https://oklahoma.gov/ohca