HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN ARIZONA

BUILDING DAILY LIVING SKILLS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION

Habilitation Services in Arizona are designed to support individuals with developmental disabilities in developing and maintaining essential life skills. Under the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) and the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), these services are delivered through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and are customized to meet individual goals in areas like communication, self-care, and social interaction.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

Role: Oversees service delivery, approves Qualified Vendors, and ensures compliance with individualized service plans (ISPs)

Agency: Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)

Role: Manages Medicaid enrollment and provider reimbursement

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures compliance with federal HCBS standards

2. HABILITATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Habilitation services help individuals acquire, improve, and retain skills needed for daily living. Services are person-centered and goal-oriented, delivered in the individual’s home or community.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Support with personal hygiene, grooming, and dressing

• Assistance with cooking, cleaning, and household tasks

• Communication skill development

• Behavior coaching and social skills training

• Community engagement and recreational support

• Documentation of progress and participation aligned with the ISP

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register your business with the Arizona Corporation Commission

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

• Apply to become a Qualified Vendor through the Qualified Vendor Application and Directory System (QVADS)

• Maintain a physical office location in Arizona

• Carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance

• Ensure compliance with Arizona Administrative Code (AAC) Title 6, Chapter 6

• Hire and train staff in Article 9, CPR/First Aid, and habilitation principles

4. DDD QUALIFIED VENDOR ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Pre-Application

• Attend a mandatory DDD Qualified Vendor orientation

• Review training requirements and administrative documentation

Step 2: QVADS Application Submission

• Submit a Qualified Vendor Application including:

  • Staff training protocols

  • Sample service documentation and policies

  • Proof of insurance, business registration, and background checks

  • Financial and operational procedures

Step 3: Review and Approval

• DDD will review and request clarifications as needed

• Once approved, you will sign a Qualified Vendor Agreement and be listed in the directory

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License

• IRS EIN Letter

• NPI confirmation

• QVADS registration confirmation

• Policy & Procedure Manual including:

  • Client intake and habilitation planning

  • Skill-building strategies and documentation tools

  • Health and safety protocols

  • Participant rights and grievance procedures

  • Staff supervision, training logs, and background check documentation

  • Emergency procedures and incident reporting

  • Scheduling, billing, and data tracking systems

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Habilitation Program Coordinator / Supervisor

Requirements: Experience in developmental disabilities services and supervision

Role: Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED

• CPR/First Aid certification

• Article 9 training

• Background check clearance

Training Requirements for All Staff:

• Abuse prevention and reporting

• Behavioral coaching techniques

• Daily documentation and ISP goal tracking

• Annual refreshers on safety and compliance

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Habilitation services are authorized under the following Medicaid Waiver Programs:

• ALTCS – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Waiver

Approved providers may deliver:

• In-home and community-based skill-building

• Daily living and communication support

• Documentation of service outcomes and behavioral progress

• Coordination with the support coordinator and care team

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: QVADS Application and Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring and Training

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: AHCCCS Medicaid Enrollment

Timeline: 45–60 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

Email: DDDProviderRegistration@azdes.gov

Phone: (602) 542-6874

Website: https://des.az.gov/services/disabilities/developmental-disabilities

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)

Email: ProviderRegistration@azahcccs.gov

Website: https://www.azahcccs.gov

Qualified Vendor Application Portal (QVADS): https://vendorhub.azdes.gov

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

We guide providers through every step of launching a DDD-compliant Habilitation Services agency under Arizona’s Medicaid waiver system.

Scope of Work:

• Business registration (LLC, EIN, NPI)

• QVADS application support and policy development

• Development of Habilitation Services Policy & Procedure Manual

• Client intake forms, skill tracking logs, and service notes

• AHCCCS enrollment and billing setup

• WEBSITE, DOMAIN, AND EMAIL SETUP

• CLIENT GOAL PLANNING AND DAILY DOCUMENTATION TEMPLATES

• STAFF ONBOARDING, TRAINING TRACKERS, AND BACKGROUND CHECK GUIDES

• INCIDENT REPORTING TOOLS AND COMPLIANCE CHECKLISTS

• CASE MANAGER OUTREACH STRATEGIES AND REFERRAL NETWORKING

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.