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:

Website: https://www.dds.ca.gov/initiatives/sdp

HOMEMAKER SERVICES PROVIDER IN CALIFORNIA

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: