HOST HOME SERVICES PROVIDER IN UTAH

Fatumata Kaba
10 hours ago
3 min read

CREATING SAFE, FAMILY-LIKE ENVIRONMENTS WHERE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES CAN THRIVE WITH PERSONALIZED, 24-HOUR SUPPORT

Host Home Services in Utah offer a community-based residential alternative for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) who require full-time support in a family-like setting. A Host Home Provider (also called a Professional Parent) opens their home to one or two participants and delivers personal care, supervision, habilitation, and community integration services under the Community Supports Waiver (CSW) administered by the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD).

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1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) – Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD)

Role: Authorizes Host Home placements, oversees service planning, and ensures provider compliance with Medicaid HCBS waiver rules.

Agency: Office of Licensing (OL) – Utah DHHS

Role: Licenses Host Homes as certified residential settings (1–2 individuals max).

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures HCBS settings meet federal waiver standards for person-centered, community-integrated residential care.

2. HOST HOME SERVICES OVERVIEW

Host Homes offer 24-hour, integrated residential care in the private home of a certified provider who supports the participant in all aspects of daily life. Services must be individualized and align with the participant’s Individual Support Plan (ISP).

Host Home services include:

Room and board in a safe, stable household
Personal care (e.g., bathing, hygiene, meals, toileting)
Life skills training and habilitation support
Transportation to appointments and activities
Behavioral support and medication assistance (if authorized)
Inclusion in family routines and community engagement
Overnight supervision and emergency response readiness

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your agency with the Utah Division of Corporations (if operating as a provider agency)
Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI
Enroll as a Medicaid waiver provider through Utah Medicaid
Apply for Host Home certification via DSPD and the Office of Licensing (OL)
Complete background checks and fingerprinting for all household members over age 18
Obtain fire inspection, home safety inspection, and readiness documentation
Create a Host Home Services Policy & Procedure Manual

4. UTAH PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Register business entity (if applicable), obtain EIN and NPI

Step 2: Enroll with Utah Medicaid and submit DSPD waiver provider application

Step 3: Complete OL residential home certification process

Step 4: Submit required documents: home inspection reports, care plan protocols, staff qualifications, and policies

Step 5: Complete DSPD MySupport orientation and home visit

Step 6: Begin accepting participant placements upon certification and ISP approval

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

EIN, NPI, Articles of Incorporation (for agencies)
Medicaid and DSPD provider contracts
Host Home certification and OL license
Fire safety inspection and emergency evacuation plan
Host Home Services Policy Manual including:
- Participant intake and matching protocols
- Medication handling and health tracking procedures
- Staff/household background check and training documentation
- Daily schedule, personal goal tracking, and activity logs
- Participant rights and dignity policies
- Incident reporting and abuse prevention policies
- Emergency response and on-call procedures
- ISP implementation and outcome measurement tools

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Host Home Provider / Professional Parent

Requirements: Age 21+, background check, CPR/First Aid certified, willingness to provide 24/7 care in their home

Role: Agency Case Manager (if applicable)

Requirements: Degree in a human services field, DSPD case coordination training

Role: Residential Supervisor / Nurse (optional for oversight)

Requirements: Depending on medical or behavioral complexity of clients

All involved personnel must complete:

HIPAA and confidentiality training
Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Prevention (ANEP)
Medication assistance and health documentation training
ISP implementation and goal tracking
Emergency response and behavioral support (if required)

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Host Home Services are offered under:

Community Supports Waiver (CSW) – for adults with ID/DD
Acquired Brain Injury Waiver (ABI) – select placements with justification
New Choices Waiver (NCW) – only for individuals transitioning out of institutional care (case-by-case)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration & Policy Manual Preparation

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Medicaid and DSPD Enrollment

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Home Certification, Inspections & Safety Readiness

Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Participant Matching & Service Start

Timeline: Begins once Host Home is certified and referrals are accepted

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Utah Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD)

Website: https://dspd.utah.gov