HOMEMAKER SERVICES PROVIDER IN CALIFORNIA
- Fatumata Kaba
- Jul 6
- 3 min read
SUPPORTING DAILY LIVING INDEPENDENCE THROUGH NON-MEDICAL IN-HOME ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Homemaker Services in California helps individuals with developmental disabilities, chronic conditions, or aging-related needs maintain a clean, safe, and healthy home environment. These non-medical services are offered through California’s Regional Centers, the Self-Determination Program (SDP), and in some cases, under Medi-Cal Waiver Programs such as HCBS-DD and ARChoices equivalents.
1. GOVERNING AGENCIES
Agency: California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Role: Oversees delivery of homemaker services through Regional Centers and SDP
Agency: Regional Centers (21 statewide)
Role: Approve homemaker vendors, authorize services via IPPs, and monitor quality
Agency: California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
Role: Oversees Medi-Cal programs and some in-home service coordination
Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight for waiver-based homemaker services
2. HOMEMAKER SERVICE OVERVIEW
Homemaker Services include general household tasks that an individual is unable to perform independently due to their disability. Services are provided in the person’s own home and must align with goals in their Individual Program Plan (IPP) or Person-Centered Plan (PCP).
Approved providers may deliver:
Light housekeeping (e.g., vacuuming, mopping, dusting)
Dishwashing and kitchen cleaning
Laundry and linen changes
Grocery shopping and putting away food
Meal preparation and cleanup
Bathroom sanitation and trash disposal
Documentation of services and condition of the home
Note: Homemaker services do not include medical or hands-on personal care unless separately authorized.
3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites:
Register business with the California Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Enroll as a homemaker vendor with a Regional Center (Service Code 520 or similar)
OR join the Self-Determination Program via an FMS for non-vendorized delivery
Maintain liability insurance and appropriate worker screening
Employ staff with experience in home care, cleaning, or independent living support
4. REGIONAL CENTER VENDORIZATION PROCESS
Step 1: Contact Regional Center
Request a vendor application packet for homemaker services
Step 2: Submit Required Documents
Include a service description, staff qualifications, training protocols, sample task lists, and policies for entering private homes
Step 3: Approval and Vendor Number Issuance
Upon approval, you may begin accepting referrals from service coordinators
5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Articles of Incorporation or Fictitious Business Name (FBN)
IRS EIN Letter
NPI confirmation
Liability insurance certificate
Regional Center vendor approval or Self-Determination FMS affiliation
Policy & procedure manual including:
Task checklists and visit verification forms
Infection control and safety protocols
Documentation of service delivery and notes
Emergency contact procedures
Client consent, confidentiality, and grievance policies
Staff hiring, background checks, and supervision protocols
Complaint handling and quality control
6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
Role: Homemaker Services Coordinator / Supervisor
Requirements: Experience in in-home support services, program supervision, or human services
Role: Homemaker / In-Home Support Worker
Requirements:
High school diploma or equivalent
Background clearance (Live Scan), TB screening, and CPR/First Aid (recommended)
Knowledge of basic cleaning, home safety, and respectful client interaction
Training Requirements for All Staff:
Household safety and infection control
Documentation and ethics
Confidentiality and abuse prevention
Annual refreshers in safety and disability awareness
7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES
Homemaker Services may be funded under:
HCBS Waiver for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (1915(c))
Regional Center Services under the Lanterman Act
Self-Determination Program (SDP)
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) (for minors in Medi-Cal)
Approved providers may deliver:
Scheduled or as-needed non-medical household support
Services tailored to support ISP or PCP goals
Documentation of tasks performed and home condition reports
Coordination with service coordinators or FMS entities
8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH
Phase: Business FormationTimeline: 1–2 weeks
Phase: Regional Center Vendorization or SDP OnboardingTimeline: 30–90 days
Phase: Staff Hiring and TrainingTimeline: 2–4 weeks
Phase: Referral Activation and Service LaunchTimeline: Ongoing
9. CONTACT INFORMATION
California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Email: info@dds.ca.gov
Website: https://www.dds.ca.gov
Find Your Regional Center:
Website: https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/lookup
California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
Website: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov
Self-Determination Program (SDP) Info:

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — CALIFORNIA HOMEMAKER SERVICES PROVIDER
We help new and existing providers launch fully compliant Homemaker Services under California’s Regional Center system and Self-Determination Program.
Scope of Work:
Business registration (LLC, EIN, NPI)
Regional Center vendorization or SDP enrollment with FMS
Policy & procedure manual for in-home support and safety
Templates for task checklists, daily logs, and client feedback
Website, domain, and email setup
Staff credentialing trackers and supervision logs
Client intake packet, consent forms, and grievance tools
Incident reporting systems and audit preparation tools
Referral networking with support coordinators and disability organizations
Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements.
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