DAY HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN COLORADO

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH SKILL-BUILDING, COMMUNITY ACCESS, AND PERSONAL GROWTH

Day Habilitation Services in Colorado support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by offering structured daytime programs that focus on life skills development, socialization, and increased independence. These services are authorized under the Home and Community-Based Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (HCBS-DD) Waiver and the Supported Living Services (SLS) Waiver, overseen by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF).

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF)

Role: Administers HCBS waivers and sets standards for Day Habilitation services and provider participation

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight to ensure services meet person-centered HCBS requirements

2. DAY HABILITATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Day Habilitation Services are community-based or site-based programs that offer structured activities to help individuals with IDD acquire, improve, and retain self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Life skills training (e.g., hygiene, cooking, communication)

• Community integration activities (e.g., volunteering, recreation)

• Self-advocacy and personal goal-setting support

• Safety training and behavioral support (if authorized)

• Social and peer interaction opportunities

• Documentation of daily attendance and progress toward goals

Service delivery models may include:

• Specialized Habilitation (SH): Structured support in a facility-based setting

• Supported Community Connections (SCC): Services delivered in integrated, community-based settings

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register your business with the Colorado Secretary of State

• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)

• Enroll as a Medicaid Day Habilitation Provider through the Gainwell Technologies Provider Portal

• Ensure facility meets accessibility and safety standards (for site-based programs)

• Comply with HCBS Settings Rule for community inclusion and individual choice

• Maintain liability insurance and a secure documentation system

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Business registration and NPI setup

Step 2: Apply for Medicaid enrollment through the Gainwell Provider Portal

• Select HCBS waiver program and Day Habilitation as service type

 Step 3: Submit policy manual, resumes, service descriptions, and training materials

Step 4: Coordinate with Case Management Agencies (CMAs) for participant referrals

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or proof of business registration

• IRS EIN Letter

• NPI confirmation

• Medicaid provider ID

• Policy & procedure manual including:

  • Intake procedures and individual profile forms

  • Person-centered activity planning templates

  • Daily logs, attendance tracking, and goal documentation

  • Community access safety protocols

  • Staff-to-participant ratio policy

  • Emergency preparedness and incident response plans

  • Participant rights and grievance procedures

  • Staff training records and background checks

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Background check, CPR/First Aid certification

• Experience supporting individuals with disabilities preferred

Role: Program Coordinator / Site Supervisor

Requirements:

• Supervisory or program management experience

• Familiarity with HCBS regulations and community-based programming

Training Requirements for All Staff:

• Person-centered planning and service delivery

• Community safety and transportation protocols

• HIPAA and client rights

• Abuse prevention and mandated reporting

• Documentation and data collection procedures

• Annual refreshers and continuing education tracking

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Day Habilitation is reimbursed under:

• HCBS-DD (Developmental Disabilities) Waiver

• HCBS-SLS (Supported Living Services) Waiver

Approved providers may deliver:

• Specialized Habilitation (SH) — structured, facility-based services

• Supported Community Connections (SCC) — integrated, community-based skill-building

• Customized programming aligned with the participant’s Individualized Service Plan (ISP)

• Transportation services (if included in authorization)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment via Gainwell

Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Staff Hiring and Facility Preparation (if applicable)Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: Referral Activation and Program Launch

Timeline: Ongoing

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF)

Email: hcpf_hcbs_questions@state.co.us

Website: https://hcpf.colorado.gov

Colorado Medicaid Provider Enrollment (Gainwell Technologies)

Website: https://portal.co.gov

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — COLORADO DAY HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER

We help disability professionals and organizations launch Medicaid-compliant Day Habilitation programs that promote independence and community access across Colorado.

Scope of Work:

• Business registration (LLC, EIN, NPI)

• Medicaid provider enrollment and waiver program setup

• Policy & procedure manual for activity planning, documentation, and compliance

• Templates for goal tracking, daily logs, and incident reports

• Website, domain, and email setup

• Staff credentialing trackers and training documentation

• Client intake packet, consent forms, and service agreements

• Incident reporting systems and audit preparation tools

• Referral networking with CMAs, schools, and day program partners

Continue To Our Client Portal To Get Started

Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements.