EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN WEST VIRGINIA
- Fatumata Kaba
- Apr 14
- 4 min read
SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN GAINING AND MAINTAINING MEANINGFUL COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT THROUGH TAILORED TRAINING AND SUPPORTS
Employment Services in West Virginia help individuals with disabilities or serious emotional disturbances prepare for, obtain, and succeed in competitive integrated employment. These services focus on person-centered planning, job development, on-the-job support, and workplace accommodations. These supports are offered under the Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Waiver, the Children with Serious Emotional Disorder Waiver (CSEDW), and may be coordinated with services through the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS). Oversight is managed by the WV Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR) and the Bureau for Medical Services (BMS), in coordination with Acentra Health for service authorizations.
1. GOVERNING AGENCIES
Agency: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR)
Role: Manages waiver and employment supports for eligible individuals with disabilities.
Agency: Bureau for Medical Services (BMS)
Role: Handles Medicaid billing, provider enrollment, and regulatory compliance.
Agency: Acentra Health (formerly Kepro)
Role: Approves employment services through ISP and monitors plan implementation.
Agency: WV Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS)
Role: May co-fund pre-employment supports and coordinate transition services.
2. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OVERVIEW
Employment Services include job exploration, skills training, job coaching, placement, and follow-along supports. Services are guided by the Employment First philosophy and must align with the individual’s Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) or Individualized Service Plan (ISP).
Covered services include:
Employment Assessment & Job Readiness Training
Career Planning and Exploration
Job Development and Employer Engagement
On-the-Job Coaching and Natural Supports Training
Workplace Accommodations and Disability Disclosure Assistance
Follow-Along Support for Job Retention
Benefits Counseling (in partnership with SSA work incentives programs)
Transportation coordination to/from work
Services are designed to be customized to the individual's strengths, preferences, and vocational goals and must occur in integrated, community-based settings whenever possible.
3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites:
Register as a business with the WV Secretary of State
Obtain a Federal EIN and Type 2 NPI
Apply through BMS to become an Employment Services provider under applicable waiver(s)
Develop a Policy & Procedure Manual for employment supports
Hire or contract qualified employment specialists with appropriate training
Enroll as a Medicaid provider through Gainwell Technologies
4. WEST VIRGINIA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Step 1: Register your organization and secure NPI and EIN
Step 2: Apply to BMS for provider approval under the I/DD Waiver or CSEDW
Step 3: Complete Medicaid enrollment via Gainwell Technologies
Step 4: Submit your Employment Services Policy & Procedure Manual
Step 5: Hire or credential Employment Support Professionals
Step 6: Begin delivering services upon ISP approval and participant referral
5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Articles of Incorporation, EIN, and NPI
Medicaid provider number and waiver service approval
Employment Services P&P Manual including:
Intake assessments and employment goal documentation
Vocational support planning and documentation tools
Job coaching and progress tracking logs
Emergency and safety plans for worksite visits
Transportation and community-based risk protocols
Client rights, informed choice, and grievance policies
Staff training and supervision schedules
Billing and service delivery templates aligned with ISP goals
6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
Role: Employment Specialist / Job Coach
Requirements:
Experience working with individuals with disabilities
Completion of required WV CARES background check
CPR/First Aid, HIPAA, and abuse prevention training
Optional credentials (e.g., ACRE certification or CESP)
Role: Employment Program Supervisor / Coordinator
Responsibilities: Oversees program design, job placement strategies, and data reporting
All staff must complete:
Annual training in waiver documentation and service delivery
Community integration and workplace safety training
ISP alignment and progress documentation compliance
7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS THAT COVER EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
I/DD Waiver – Employment Development Services, Supported Employment, and Job Coaching
CSEDW – May allow employment readiness and coaching for youth
TBIW – Can include supported employment on a case-by-case basis
State Plan Medicaid – May not cover employment directly but can support related services (e.g., transportation or behavioral therapy)
Note: Services must be linked to the participant’s plan and demonstrate alignment with community employment goals.
8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH
Phase: Business Formation & Readiness Planning
Timeline: 2–3 weeks
Phase: Medicaid & Waiver Enrollment Application
Timeline: 1–2 months
Phase: Staff Credentialing & Manual Development
Timeline: 30–45 days
Phase: Launch of Services
Timeline: Begins once authorization is received in ISP and participant referrals are secured
9. CONTACT INFORMATION
WV Bureau for Medical Services (BMS)
Website: https://dhhr.wv.gov/bms
WV Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS)
Website: https://drs.wv.gov
Acentra Health (formerly Kepro)
Website: https://wv.acentra.com
WV Secretary of State – Business Registration
Website: https://sos.wv.gov
Gainwell Technologies – WV Medicaid Enrollment
Website: https://www.wvmmis.com
WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — WEST VIRGINIA EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER
WCG helps providers launch person-centered employment programs that support participants in achieving real job outcomes with full Medicaid compliance.
Scope of Work:
Medicaid waiver enrollment and service line selection
Employment Services Policy & Procedure Manual development
ISP-aligned documentation templates and coaching logs
Staff credentialing packets and ongoing training schedules
Transportation protocols and employer engagement tools
Billing setup and job placement documentation systems
Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements.
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