DAY HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN RHODE ISLAND

Fatumata Kaba
Oct 9
4 min read

FOSTERING SKILL DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL PARTICIPATION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN SUPPORTIVE DAY SETTINGS

Day Habilitation Services in Rhode Island are Medicaid-funded supports designed to promote the acquisition, retention, and improvement of self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). These services are delivered in non-residential, structured settings and aim to increase independence, communication, and participation in community life. Day habilitation is funded under Rhode Island’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) 1115 Waiver and authorized through the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH).

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)

Role: Manages Medicaid funding, oversees the state’s 1115 Waiver, and approves provider enrollment.

Agency: Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH)

Role: Licenses and monitors day habilitation providers; oversees person-centered planning and service delivery for individuals with IDD.

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

Role: Provides federal oversight and regulatory standards for HCBS-funded day habilitation services.

Agency: Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)**

Role: May regulate facilities for safety compliance depending on the level of care offered onsite.

2. DAY HABILITATION SERVICES OVERVIEW

These services support individuals who require assistance with life skills development in a structured, community-based environment.

Approved providers may deliver:

Life Skills Training: Cooking, hygiene, communication, budgeting, and using public transportation.
Pre-Vocational Support: Workplace behavior, task completion, and job-readiness exercises.
Community Integration Activities: Outings, volunteering, and local engagement to build social skills.
Health and Wellness Programming: Basic physical activity, nutrition education, and wellness routines.
Peer Interaction: Group activities that enhance social participation and reduce isolation.
Service Documentation: Individualized service plans (ISPs), daily logs, progress reports, and billing records.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business entity with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
Obtain an EIN and Type 2 NPI.
Submit a provider application to BHDDH to operate as a day habilitation program.
If operating a physical site, ensure zoning compliance and RIDOH safety inspections as needed.
Maintain general liability, workers’ comp, and vehicle insurance (if transportation is offered).
Develop a Day Habilitation Services Policy & Procedure Manual in line with BHDDH standards.

4. RHODE ISLAND PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Form your business and obtain EIN, NPI, and applicable insurance.

Step 2: Apply to become a BHDDH-approved DD services provider.

Step 3: Submit your program structure, facility information, staffing plan, and policies for review.

Step 4: Enroll as a Medicaid HCBS provider under the RI EOHHS provider portal.

Step 5: Complete service readiness reviews and begin receiving individual authorizations.

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation and state registration
EIN and NPI confirmations
Insurance certificates (liability, workers’ comp, facility)
BHDDH provider approval letter
Day Habilitation Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Individualized support planning and goal tracking
- Community integration and daily activity schedule
- Participant rights, dignity, and safety policies
- Incident reporting, abuse prevention, and emergency response
- Staffing ratios, supervision, and ongoing staff development
- Medicaid billing templates and ISP documentation procedures

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Day Habilitation Specialist / Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Requirements: Experience supporting individuals with IDD; background check; CPR/First Aid; BHDDH-approved training.

Role: Program Manager / Supervisor

Requirements: Experience in disability services, staff management, and compliance; may be required to hold a relevant degree.

Role: Community Integration Coordinator (optional)

Requirements: Coordinates volunteer sites, community partnerships, and activity calendars.

All staff must complete:

Person-centered planning and ISP documentation training
Abuse, neglect, and mandatory reporting education
HIPAA and participant confidentiality protocols
Transportation safety (if applicable) and behavior management training
Annual professional development hours (per BHDDH guidelines)

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Day Habilitation Services are authorized through:

BHDDH DD Waivers (Community Living Arrangement, Shared Living, Self-Directed): Primary source of habilitation funding.
1115 Global Waiver (HCBS): Covers habilitation services for Medicaid-eligible individuals with IDD.
Self-Directed HCBS Waivers: Participants may choose habilitation services from qualified provider agencies.
Transition-Aged Youth Waivers (if applicable): Supports 18–21-year-olds exiting school-based services.

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation & Policy Manual Development

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: BHDDH Provider Approval & Medicaid Enrollment

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Facility Setup, Staff Hiring & Training

Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Service Activation & ISP Authorizations

Timeline: Begins once participants are referred by BHDDH or self-directing case managers

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)

Website: https://eohhs.ri.gov

Rhode Island Medicaid Provider Portal

Website: https://www.riproviderportal.org

Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH)

Website: https://bhddh.ri.gov

Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)

Website: https://health.ri.gov

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Website: https://www.cms.gov

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — RHODE ISLAND DAY HABILITATION PROVIDER

WCG helps providers in Rhode Island design and launch engaging, Medicaid-compliant day programs that empower individuals with IDD to thrive in community settings.

Scope of Work: