FAMILY HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN ALASKA

Fatumata Kaba
4 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH STABLE, FAMILY-BASED LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

Family Habilitation Services in Alaska provide a supportive, structured home environment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who cannot live with their biological families or independently. Under Alaska’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waiver programs, individuals live with qualified provider families or extended relatives in community settings where they receive care, life skills training, and emotional support as part of daily family life.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

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

Role: Approves Family Habilitation providers, monitors home settings, and ensures services align with person-centered and HCBS standards

Agency: Alaska Medicaid (under the Department of Health)

Role: Manages provider enrollment and reimbursement for Family Habilitation Services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight and ensures compliance with HCBS guidelines, including community integration and least-restrictive living environments

2. FAMILY HABILITATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Family Habilitation Services offer long-term, community-based care in a family home setting for individuals with developmental disabilities. The goal is to provide safe, stable housing with built-in support that fosters skill development, inclusion, and quality of life.

Approved providers may deliver:

24-hour supervision and support in a private family home
Training and assistance with daily living skills (cooking, cleaning, hygiene)
Medication reminders and health monitoring
Socialization, community participation, and recreational activities
Behavioral support and skill-building as part of daily routines
Emotional support, guidance, and advocacy

Each placement must be based on a person-centered service plan and regularly monitored for quality, safety, and progress toward individual goals.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (if operating as an agency)
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Ensure all provider homes meet safety, sanitation, and fire code requirements
Complete home inspections and SDS family habilitation readiness reviews
Submit background checks and training certifications for all adult household members
Develop systems for documenting daily activities, care, and skill development

4. SDS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Request the Family Habilitation Services Provider application from SDS
Participate in SDS orientation sessions on residential and habilitative care

Application & Program Review:

Submit service plan describing the home setting, supervision model, and training goals
Provide family/home information, including caregiver experience and household structure
Include emergency protocols, routines, sample daily schedules, and support strategies

Home and Staff Review:

SDS completes a home inspection and reviews readiness for client placement
All adults in the home must pass background checks and receive required training
SDS evaluates the home's suitability for the individual's needs and preferences

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

Upon SDS approval, enroll as a Family Habilitation Services provider through Alaska MMIS
Add appropriate billing codes under the HCBS waiver program
Finalize Medicaid provider agreement and enable electronic claims submission

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License (if agency-based)
IRS EIN Letter
NPI confirmation
Lease, deed, or proof of homeownership for provider home
SDS-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Home inspection, admission, and matching procedures
- Daily living skill-building and community engagement plans
- Medication assistance and health monitoring policies
- Emergency, fire safety, and evacuation procedures
- Incident reporting and consumer grievance procedures
- Rights, dignity, and personal choice protocols
- Documentation templates for daily notes, progress, and care routines
- Staff/family training records and continuing education logs

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Family Caregiver / Provider Family

Requirements: Experience with caregiving or working with individuals with disabilities; must be trained, background-checked, and approved by SDS

Role: Program Supervisor (for agencies with multiple homes)

Requirements: Human services experience and oversight skills to ensure quality across homes

All provider families must complete:

SDS orientation and Family Habilitation training
Training on HCBS rules, person-centered planning, and skill development
CPR/First Aid certification and safety training
Annual ethics, abuse prevention, and documentation training
Emergency response and behavior support protocols

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Alaska Medicaid Waivers authorize Family Habilitation Services:

Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Waiver
Adults with Physical and Developmental Disabilities (APDD) Waiver (in select cases)
Children with Complex Medical Conditions (CCMC) Waiver (for family-based children’s homes)

Approved providers may deliver: