FAMILY TRAINING & SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDER IN FLORIDA

Fatumata Kaba
4 days ago
4 min read

EMPOWERING FAMILIES WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES

Family Training & Support Services in Florida help families and caregivers gain the skills, knowledge, and emotional support needed to effectively care for individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions. These services are authorized under Florida’s Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs and are designed to strengthen the home environment, promote independence, and prevent unnecessary institutionalization.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)

Role: Manages Family Training & Support Services delivery under the iBudget Florida Waiver for individuals with developmental disabilities

Agency: Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)

Role: Oversees Medicaid enrollment, service authorization, and reimbursement for Family Training & Support Services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight, ensuring Family Training & Support Services meet Medicaid HCBS person-centered standards

2. FAMILY TRAINING & SUPPORT SERVICE OVERVIEW

Family Training & Support Services provides education, skills training, and emotional support to unpaid caregivers such as parents, guardians, siblings, and other family members.

Approved providers may deliver:

Education on specific disabilities and medical conditions
Training in behavior management techniques
Guidance on implementing individualized service plans (ISPs)
Skills for supporting communication, socialization, and daily living activities
Stress management, coping strategies, and caregiver self-care support
Information on accessing community resources, supports, and advocacy systems
Workshops, coaching sessions, and support groups (as authorized)

Services must be directly related to helping the caregiver maintain the participant safely in the home and must align with the participant’s individualized support plan.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Complete APD Qualified Provider Application
Maintain general liability insurance
Develop policies for caregiver training, participant rights protection, and confidentiality
Ensure staff have appropriate experience or education in special education, social work, psychology, behavioral support, or related fields

4. APD PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Request Family Training & Support Services provider application packet from APD
Attend APD provider orientation sessions (recommended)

Application and Documentation Submission:

Submit Articles of Incorporation, proof of EIN/NPI, insurance documentation, and service delivery plan
Provide caregiver training curricula, staff credentialing documents, and participant intake templates
Submit background screening documentation and emergency procedures

Program Readiness Review:

APD reviews provider readiness, including training methods, participant/caregiver engagement strategies, and Medicaid documentation compliance

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

Upon APD approval, complete Medicaid enrollment through the Florida Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
Configure billing codes for Family Training & Support Services

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Sunbiz)
IRS EIN confirmation
NPI confirmation
Proof of liability insurance
APD-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Caregiver intake, assessment, and service planning protocols
- Training curricula development and delivery procedures
- Documentation of participation, progress, and outcome tracking
- Emergency procedures and crisis management strategies
- HIPAA confidentiality, client rights, and grievance resolution policies
- Staff background checks, credentialing, and ongoing training records
- Medicaid billing, authorization tracking, and quality assurance policies

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Family Training Services Coordinator/Program Manager

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, psychology, rehabilitation, or a related field preferred; experience in family-centered support services; background screening clearance

Role: Family Support Trainers / Coaches

Requirements: High school diploma or GED minimum; specialized training or certification in behavior management, developmental disabilities, or caregiving support preferred; background screening clearance

All staff must complete:

Medicaid service documentation and compliance training
HIPAA confidentiality and participant rights training
Emergency procedures and abuse prevention training
Annual continuing education in family-centered planning, disabilities, and caregiver support strategies

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Florida Medicaid Waiver authorizes Family Training & Support Services:

iBudget Florida Waiver (for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities)

Approved providers may deliver:

Caregiver education and skills development
Family-centered behavioral support coaching
Workshops and group training on disability-related topics
Individualized coaching sessions based on caregiver needs

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Initial Setup

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: APD Qualified Provider Application and Readiness Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring, Training, and Program Development

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and Billing Configuration

Timeline: 45–60 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)

Website: https://apd.myflorida.com/

Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)

Website: https://ahca.myflorida.com/

Florida Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal

Website: https://home.flmedicaidmanagedcare.com/

FAMILY TRAINING & SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDER IN FLORIDA

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — FLORIDA FAMILY TRAINING & SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDER

WCG supports providers and entrepreneurs in launching Medicaid-compliant Family Training & Support Services under Florida’s Medicaid HCBS waiver programs.

Scope of Work: