COMMUNITY LIVING SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDER IN KENTUCKY

Fatumata Kaba
Jul 25
4 min read

PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE THROUGH SKILL-BUILDING AND DAILY SUPPORT IN THE HOME AND COMMUNITY

Community Living Support (CLS) Services in Kentucky help individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ID/DD), brain injuries, or complex needs to develop skills, maintain independence, and participate in their communities. CLS is a key component of Kentucky Medicaid’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers and is delivered in non-institutional settings, such as a participant’s home or local community.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

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

Role: Oversees Medicaid funding, enrollment, and reimbursement for CLS providers

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

Role: Sets service standards for CLS delivery and provides waiver program oversight

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures CLS services comply with federal HCBS regulations and promote community integration and person-centered care

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)

Role: Authorize CLS services, credential providers, and monitor care coordination and outcomes

2. SERVICE OVERVIEW

Community Living Support (CLS) services provide direct, hands-on assistance and skill-building activities to help participants live safely and independently.

Authorized CLS activities include:

Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, mobility
Support with Instrumental ADLs (IADLs): budgeting, grocery shopping, meal prep, housekeeping
Social skills development and community integration
Medication reminders and health-related self-care training
Behavioral support and supervision
Participation in recreational or volunteer activities
Use of public transportation or navigation of the community
Support with communication and use of assistive devices

All services must be aligned with the participant’s Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) and may be delivered 1:1 or in small groups based on waiver guidelines.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Kentucky Secretary of State
Obtain IRS EIN and Type 2 NPI
Enroll as a CLS provider through the Medicaid Partner Portal Application (MPPA)
Obtain any necessary DBHDID approvals or certifications based on waiver program
Maintain general liability and workers’ compensation insurance
Hire or contract qualified CLS staff with experience in disability or mental health support
Develop a Community Living Support Policy & Procedure Manual
Ensure HIPAA compliance and create systems for service documentation and quality monitoring

4. KENTUCKY PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid Enrollment via MPPA

Apply as a provider of Community Living Support or similar service type under the appropriate waiver
Credential with all participating MCOs in your service region

Step 2: Documentation Submission

Submit business license, insurance, staff credentials, and operational policies
Provide a sample PCSP implementation template and incident reporting protocols

Step 3: Service Delivery and Documentation

Work with case managers to implement individualized care plans
Deliver services in the participant’s home or community setting
Document progress and submit claims using approved HCPCS codes

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Kentucky business license
IRS EIN and NPI registration
Insurance policies (liability, workers’ comp)
Community Living Support Policy & Procedure Manual, including:
- Intake and service initiation forms
- Daily progress note and time log templates
- Individual goal tracking and PCSP implementation checklists
- Incident reporting, grievance policy, and abuse prevention training
- Emergency procedures and safety protocols
- HIPAA compliance forms and confidentiality agreements
- Staff credentialing, training, and supervision documentation
- Medicaid billing templates and audit readiness files

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: CLS Support Worker / Direct Support Professional (DSP)Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; experience with individuals with disabilities preferred; background check; CPR/First Aid certified

Role: Supervisor / Program Coordinator (optional)Requirements: Experience in waiver program administration; ensures compliance, documentation quality, and participant satisfaction

All staff must complete: