HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN CONNECTICUT

Fatumata Kaba
Jul 8
4 min read

SUPPORTING SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND INDEPENDENCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Habilitation Services in Connecticut are designed to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) acquire, maintain, and improve self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills needed for daily living and community participation. These services are authorized under Connecticut’s Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs and focus on person-centered outcomes that promote independence and quality of life.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

Role: Manages habilitation service delivery for individuals with developmental disabilities under HCBS waivers

Agency: Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS)

Role: Oversees Medicaid provider enrollment and ensures Medicaid compliance

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight to ensure that habilitation services meet HCBS rules and participant-centered standards

2. HABILITATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Habilitation Services support individuals in learning or enhancing skills to live as independently and fully as possible within their homes and communities.

Approved providers may deliver:

Life skills training (personal hygiene, grooming, dressing, and cooking)
Communication and social skills development
Community integration activities (using public transportation, banking, shopping)
Support with employment readiness and volunteer experiences
Development of self-advocacy and decision-making skills
Safety skills (recognizing hazards, emergency preparedness)
Behavioral support and positive behavior interventions (where authorized)

All services must be tailored to the participant’s person-centered plan and designed to achieve measurable individual goals.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Connecticut Secretary of the State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Complete DDS Qualified Provider Application process
Maintain liability insurance and staff background screening systems
Develop policies and procedures that align with DDS and Medicaid standards
Train staff in positive behavioral supports, community inclusion practices, and participant rights

4. DDS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Request Habilitation Services provider application packet from DDS
Attend a DDS provider orientation session (recommended)

Application and Documentation Submission:

Submit business license, service delivery model, staffing plan, and sample curricula for skill development
Provide staff qualifications, background check procedures, and training programs
Include participant intake forms, incident reporting protocols, and emergency response policies

Program Readiness Review:

DDS reviews provider operations for alignment with person-centered planning principles and habilitation best practices
May conduct site visits or audits for facility-based providers

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

Once approved by DDS, register with DSS Medicaid through the Connecticut MMIS portal
Finalize billing code setup for habilitation services under the applicable HCBS waivers

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License
IRS EIN confirmation
NPI confirmation
Proof of general liability insurance coverage
DDS-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Participant intake, assessment, and goal-setting procedures
- Skill acquisition and habilitation planning protocols
- Community integration and safety procedures
- Behavioral support and intervention strategies (if applicable)
- Client rights, privacy, and informed consent forms
- Staff credentialing, background checks, and training logs
- Incident reporting and quality assurance tracking
- Medicaid billing, service authorization tracking, and documentation retention policies

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Program Director or Habilitation Services Supervisor

Requirements: Bachelor's degree in social work, education, rehabilitation, or a related field preferred; experience supporting individuals with disabilities; background check clearance

Role: Habilitation Specialist / Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Requirements: High school diploma or GED required; CPR/First Aid certification; background check clearance; experience in skill-building or community integration services preferred

All staff must complete:

Training on person-centered planning and HCBS habilitation goals
Abuse prevention, emergency procedures, and HIPAA confidentiality training
Behavioral support and positive intervention strategies (as needed)
Annual refresher training on skill development techniques and participant safety

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Connecticut Medicaid Waivers authorize Habilitation Services:

Comprehensive Supports Medicaid Waiver (DDS)
Individual and Family Support Medicaid Waiver (DDS)
Employment and Day Support Medicaid Waiver (DDS)

Approved providers may deliver:

Individual or group habilitation supports
Community-based skill development activities
Day habilitation or center-based learning experiences
Person-centered planning participation and service documentation

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Policy Development

Timeline: 2–3 weeks

Phase: DDS Qualified Provider Application and Readiness Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring, Training, and Documentation System Setup

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and Billing Setup

Timeline: 45–60 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

Website: https://portal.ct.gov/DDS

Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS)

Website: https://portal.ct.gov/DSS

Connecticut Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal (Gainwell Technologies MMIS)

Website: https://www.ctdssmap.com/CTPortal/

HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN CONNECTICUT

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — CONNECTICUT HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER

WCG supports disability service agencies and entrepreneurs in launching Medicaid-compliant Habilitation Services under Connecticut’s DDS HCBS Waiver programs.

Scope of Work: