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INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY SERVICES (IFS) PROVIDER IN WASHINGTON
- Fatumata Kaba
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY THROUGH CUSTOMIZED COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES
The Individual and Family Services (IFS) Waiver in Washington offers flexible, person-centered services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) who live with their families or independently. The IFS program empowers individuals by helping them gain greater independence, while also supporting family caregivers in their essential roles.
This waiver is administered by the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) under the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), with funding and oversight by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA).
1. GOVERNING AGENCIES
Agency: Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
Role: Determines eligibility, authorizes services, and manages the delivery of IFS supports.
Agency: Health Care Authority (HCA)
Role: Provides Medicaid oversight and manages waiver compliance under Apple Health.
Agency: Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
Role: Coordinates provider credentialing and contracting processes.
2. IFS SERVICES OVERVIEW
IFS offers a menu of flexible, community-based services designed to support individuals with developmental disabilities in living safely and independently outside of institutional settings.
Approved services under IFS include:
Respite care (in-home or out-of-home)
Personal care
Supported employment and community engagement
Behavioral health stabilization
Assistive technology and adaptive equipment
Home and vehicle modifications
Specialized medical equipment and supplies
Peer mentoring, skills acquisition, and family training
Staff and family counseling
Service selections must align with the individual's Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) and are limited to an annual individualized budget.
3. PROVIDER APPROVAL & LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites:
Register the business with the Washington Secretary of State
Obtain an EIN and Type 2 NPI
Enroll as a DDA Qualified Provider under the desired IFS services (e.g., respite, personal care, training)
Complete a ProviderOne Medicaid enrollment
Meet staff credentialing, background check, and training requirements
Develop an IFS Services Policy & Procedure Manual that meets DDA standards
4. WASHINGTON PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Step 1: Register your business and obtain EIN and NPI
Step 2: Apply to DDA for qualification as an IFS provider in selected service areas
Step 3: Enroll in ProviderOne for Medicaid billing
Step 4: Complete background checks, orientation, and training for staff
Step 5: Coordinate with DDA case managers for referrals and PCSP integration
Step 6: Launch services upon authorization and budget allocation
5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Business registration, EIN, and NPI
DDA service approval and ProviderOne enrollment confirmation
IFS Policy & Procedure Manual, including:
Intake forms and PCSP coordination templates
Individualized support plan documentation tools
Staff orientation, training logs, and supervision procedures
Participant rights, HIPAA, and grievance procedures
Incident reporting, emergency response, and safety policies
Service tracking logs, billing records, and budget reconciliation tools
6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
Role: Direct Support Professional (DSP) / Respite Worker / Coach
Requirements:
Must pass background checks and be trained in abuse prevention, person-centered supports, and emergency response
Additional training required based on service type (e.g., medication assistance, behavioral support)
Role: Program Coordinator or Supervisor (Recommended)
Responsibilities:
Ensures quality assurance, staff supervision, service documentation, and communication with DDA case managers
All staff must complete:
Orientation and training required by DDA
Mandatory reporter and confidentiality training
Emergency preparedness and health & safety training
Annual continuing education (CE) or retraining
7. IFS WAIVER ELIGIBILITY & LIMITATIONS
IFS is available to individuals who:
Are eligible for DDA services
Are age 3 or older
Live in a family home or independently
Meet financial and functional eligibility for Medicaid
Do not receive services under other DDA waivers (e.g., Basic Plus, Core, CIIBS)
Annual budgets for IFS vary depending on assessed support needs (e.g., Level 1–4), with specific service caps based on waiver definitions.
8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH
Phase: Business Registration & Policy Development
Timeline: 2–3 weeks
Phase: DDA Qualification & ProviderOne Enrollment
Timeline: 1–2 months
Phase: Staff Onboarding & Training
Timeline: 2–4 weeks
Phase: Participant Referrals & Service Start
Timeline: Begins after PCSP authorization and IFS budget allocation
9. CONTACT INFORMATION
Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
Website: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/dda
Health Care Authority (HCA)
Website: https://www.hca.wa.gov
ProviderOne Medicaid Enrollment Portal
Website: https://www.waproviderone.org
County Developmental Disabilities Programs Directory
WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — WASHINGTON IFS PROVIDER
WCG empowers local providers to establish IFS-compliant programs with streamlined enrollment, strong documentation, and client-focused service delivery.
Scope of Work:
DDA and Medicaid provider enrollment support
IFS Policy & Procedure Manual development
Service authorization forms and billing templates
Staff onboarding materials and compliance trackers
PCSP alignment tools and client intake forms
HIPAA, emergency response, and grievance policy setup
Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements.
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