DAY HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN ALASKA

Fatumata Kaba
4 days ago
4 min read

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH COMMUNITY INTEGRATION, SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, AND PERSONAL GROWTH

Day Habilitation Services in Alaska provide structured, person-centered support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, focusing on building skills, fostering independence, and promoting active participation in the community. These services are part of Alaska’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waiver programs and are delivered in non-residential settings such as community centers, provider-operated hubs, or local businesses.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Alaska Department of Health – Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS)

Role: Approves providers, monitors quality of Day Habilitation programs, and enforces HCBS requirements

Agency: Alaska Medicaid (under the Department of Health)

Role: Oversees Medicaid enrollment and reimbursement for Day Habilitation services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures that Day Habilitation services comply with HCBS federal guidelines, including community integration and person-centered care.

2. DAY HABILITATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Day Habilitation Services help individuals acquire, retain, or improve self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills necessary to live successfully in home and community settings. Services may be delivered one-on-one or in small groups and are based on individualized service plans.

Approved providers may deliver:

Community participation and volunteer opportunities
Support with daily living skills (e.g., cooking, budgeting, transportation use)
Recreational, social, and fitness activities
Communication and interpersonal skill development
Self-advocacy, rights education, and decision-making training
Instruction on using public resources and engaging in civic life

All services must align with the individual’s strengths, goals, and preferences and must not be delivered in segregated or institutional settings.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Maintain a physical service site or administrative office in Alaska
Comply with local fire, health, and safety regulations
Develop structured programming based on person-centered practices
Hire or contract trained staff to deliver services in community-based environments
Establish data collection systems for progress tracking and service documentation

4. SDS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Request the Day Habilitation Services provider application from SDS
Attend SDS training or orientation sessions related to community integration services

Application & Program Submission:

Submit business documentation, service delivery model, and staffing plan
Include sample daily schedules, activity logs, and person-centered planning tools
Provide written procedures for supervision, transportation, and participant safety

Readiness Review:

Background checks and credential verification for all staff
Review of program space (if center-based), safety compliance, and accessibility
Evaluation of procedures for incident reporting, participant engagement, and data collection

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

After SDS approval, enroll as a Medicaid provider through Alaska MMIS
Select and activate billing codes specific to Day Habilitation
Sign Medicaid provider agreement and configure electronic claims submission access

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License
IRS EIN Letter
NPI confirmation
Lease or proof of program location (if applicable)
SDS-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Participant admission and service planning
- Community engagement, skill-building, and activity procedures
- Behavior support, health and safety protocols
- Incident, injury, and emergency response procedures
- Participant rights, consent, and grievance processes
- Transportation safety and supervision policies
- Daily documentation templates and progress tracking tools
- Staff training, scheduling, and performance monitoring systems

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Program Director / Day Habilitation Manager

Requirements: Experience in developmental disabilities services, program oversight, and person-centered care planning

Role: Direct Support Staff / Community Coaches

Requirements: High school diploma or GED, training in community inclusion, skill-building, and behavior support

All staff must complete:

SDS waiver program training and Day Habilitation-specific orientation
Training on community integration, personal rights, and risk reduction
Annual refreshers on documentation, safety, and ethics
Ongoing professional development related to supporting individuals with disabilities

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Alaska Medicaid Waivers authorize Day Habilitation Services: