INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING SERVICES PROVIDER IN KANSAS
- Fatumata Kaba
- Jul 24
- 3 min read
EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE WITH CONFIDENCE AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES
Independent Living Skills Training Services in Kansas help individuals with disabilities gain and strengthen the skills needed to live safely, confidently, and independently. These services are authorized under Kansas Medicaid (KanCare) through select Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers and focus on building practical, real-life capabilities that promote autonomy and quality of life.
1. GOVERNING AGENCIES
Agency: Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)
Role: Administers HCBS waiver programs and defines service expectations and provider requirements
Agency: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) — Division of Health Care Finance
Role: Manages Medicaid provider enrollment and reimbursement under KanCare
Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) under KanCare
Role: Authorize Independent Living Skills services, review ISPs, and reimburse providers
Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight, ensuring services meet HCBS 1915(c) standards
2. SERVICE OVERVIEW
Independent Living Skills Training Services support individuals in developing essential life skills that enable them to live as independently as possible in the community.
Approved providers may deliver training and support in:
Meal planning and preparation
Household cleaning and organization
Budgeting and financial literacy
Medication management and scheduling
Personal hygiene and grooming routines
Transportation use and community navigation
Communication, self-advocacy, and social skills
Safety awareness and emergency preparedness
All training is customized to the participant’s Individualized Service Plan (ISP) and delivered in-home or in a community setting to support real-life application.
3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites:
Register your business with the Kansas Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Enroll as a Medicaid provider through the Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP)
Apply for HCBS waiver certification from KDADS (IDD, PD, BI, or FE)
Contract with KanCare MCOs (Sunflower, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare)
Carry general liability and professional insurance
Develop policies focused on participant safety, documentation, progress tracking, and person-centered training methods
Ensure all staff are trained and background checked
4. KANSAS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Step 1: Certification with KDADS
Submit application to become an approved provider of Independent Living Skills Training under the appropriate waiver
Complete readiness review and staff documentation review
Step 2: KMAP Enrollment
Enroll with the Kansas Medical Assistance Program as an HCBS provider
Step 3: MCO Credentialing
Contract with MCOs and follow procedures for ISP approval and service authorization
5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Articles of Incorporation or Kansas Business License
IRS EIN confirmation
NPI confirmation
Proof of insurance (general and professional liability)
Independent Living Skills Training Policy & Procedure Manual, including:
Intake, ISP goal development, and progress documentation processes
Safety procedures and emergency protocols
HIPAA compliance, participant rights, and grievance resolution
Transportation guidelines for community-based training
Staff credentialing, background checks, and training logs
Medicaid billing forms, daily notes, and audit-ready records
6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
Role: Independent Living Program Supervisor
Requirements: Experience in disability services, education, or human services preferred; background screening clearance
Role: Independent Living Trainers / Support Staff
Requirements: High school diploma or GED; experience providing skill-based support; training in ISP implementation; background check clearance
All staff must complete:
HIPAA and participant confidentiality training
Abuse prevention and emergency preparedness training
Person-centered planning, ISP goal tracking, and progress documentation
Annual continuing education and performance evaluations
7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS
Independent Living Skills Training is authorized under the following Kansas HCBS waivers:
Intellectual/Developmental Disability (IDD) Waiver
Physical Disability (PD) Waiver
Brain Injury (BI) Waiver
Frail Elderly (FE) Waiver
Autism Waiver (if included in ISP)
Authorized providers may deliver:
In-home or community-based training in life management skills
One-on-one or small group instruction
Progress monitoring toward ISP-based outcomes
Ongoing adjustments to training strategies based on participant performance
8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH
Phase: Business Formation, Policy Manual Development, and Insurance Setup
Timeline: 1–2 months
Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and KDADS Certification
Timeline: 2–3 months
Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and MCO Credentialing
Timeline: 60–90 days
Phase: Billing System Setup and Program Launch
Timeline: 30–45 days
9. CONTACT INFORMATION
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)
Website: https://kdads.ks.gov
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
Website: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov
Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP)
Website: https://www.kmap-state-ks.us
KanCare MCOs:
Sunflower Health Plan: https://www.sunflowerhealthplan.com
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan: https://www.uhccommunityplan.com/ks
Aetna Better Health of Kansas: https://www.aetnabetterhealth.com/kansas

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — KANSAS INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING PROVIDER
WCG supports HCBS providers, educational agencies, and community support organizations in launching Medicaid-compliant Independent Living Skills Training programs across Kansas
Scope of Work:
Business registration, KDADS certification, and Medicaid/MCO enrollment
Independent Living Skills Policy & Procedure Manual development
Staff credentialing templates, ISP tracking forms, and daily documentation logs
Billing system setup and Medicaid compliance tools
Website, branding, and outreach materials
Quality assurance systems for skill progression tracking, documentation audits, and client feedback
Referral network development with MCOs, schools, and disability support agencies
Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements.
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