Integrated Employment Provider in Alabama

Competitive, Community-Based Job Support for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Integrated Employment Services in Alabama promotes competitive, meaningful work in the community for individuals with developmental disabilities. These services are regulated by the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) under the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waiver and are designed to support employment in integrated settings alongside individuals without disabilities.

1. Governing Agencies

Agency: Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH)Role: Certifies and monitors HCBS waiver employment service providers

Agency: Alabama Medicaid Agency

Role: Manages Medicaid enrollment and reimbursement processes

Agency: Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS)Role: May offer pre-employment transition support and coordinate with ADMH

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)Role: Provides federal oversight of HCBS Medicaid Waiver services

2. Integrated Employment Service Overview

Integrated Employment Services are individualized supports to help participants prepare for, obtain, and maintain paid employment in typical community settings. Services include:

• Job development and placement assistance

• Job coaching and on-site support

• Employment goal planning and skill-building

• Self-employment exploration (if applicable)

• Ongoing support to ensure long-term job retention

These services must reflect the individual’s person-centered plan and be delivered in accordance with Employment First principles.

3. Licensing & Provider Approval Requirements

Prerequisites:

• Register business with Alabama Secretary of State

• Obtain EIN and NPI (Type 2)

• Establish an administrative office or service base in Alabama

• Meet ADMH standards for Employment Services Providers

• Ensure staff qualifications align with job coaching and employment support guidelines

• Have a policy for collaboration with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and local employers

4. ADMH Provider Enrollment Process

Initial Interest and Application:

• Request and complete ADMH Employment Services Provider Application

• Submit service proposal including staffing plan, policies, and implementation approach

• Provide supporting documentation showing capacity to deliver services in the community

Background & Credentialing:

• Conduct fingerprint-based background checks for all direct support staff

• Abuse registry and neglect screenings

• Drug testing and employment eligibility verification

Site & Program Readiness Review:

• Review of policies and procedures

• Quality assurance plan and data tracking process

• Review of documentation systems for job coaching and employment goals

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Following ADMH approval, enroll as an HCBS provider with Alabama Medicaid

• Add service codes for Employment Supports (e.g., Individual Employment, Job Coaching, Career Exploration)

5. Required Documentation

• Articles of Incorporation or LLC Certificate

• IRS EIN Letter

• NPI confirmation

• Administrative office lease or ownership proof

• ADMH-compliant Policy & Procedure Manual, including:

  • Employment goal planning

  • Community-based job development

  • Staff training and supervision

  • Rights and protections of individuals

  • Safety and incident reporting

  • Collaboration with ADRS or VR

• Job coaching logs and documentation templates

• Individual Support and Career Planning templates

• Quality assurance and service outcome tracking tools

6. Staffing Requirements

Role: Employment Services Administrator

Requirements: Background in employment services or vocational rehab, program oversight skills

Role: Employment Specialist / Job Coach

Requirements: High school diploma or higher, experience in supported employment, job development, or vocational support; CPR/First Aid training

All staff must complete:

• ADMH-mandated orientation and in-service training

• Employment-specific training modules (e.g., ADA, workplace accommodations, safety, soft skills coaching)

• Annual refresher training and job performance evaluations

7. Medicaid Waiver Services

Waivers that authorize employment services in Alabama:

• ID Waiver (Intellectual Disabilities Waiver)

• State of Alabama Community Waiver Program

Approved Integrated Employment Providers may deliver:

• Individual Job Development

• Job Coaching

• Career Exploration

• Employment Stability and Retention Services

• Customized Employment Supports

8. Timeline to Launch

Phase: Business Formation

Timeline: 0–1 week

Phase: ADMH Application Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Program Readiness Review Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment

Timeline: 60–90 days

9. Contact Information

Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) – Division of Developmental Disabilities

Email: ddprovider@mh.alabama.gov

Phone: (334) 242-3702

Website: https://mh.alabama.gov

Alabama Medicaid Agency – Waiver Services Website: https://medicaid.alabama.gov

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS)

Website: https://rehab.alabama.gov

Waiver Consulting Group's Start-Up Assistance Service — Alabama Integrated Employment Provider

We help organizations successfully launch employment services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Scope of Work:

• Business formation (LLC, EIN, NPI)

• ADMH Employment Services provider application support

• Development of Employment-focused Policy & Procedure Manual

• Staffing plan and staff training templates

• Coordination plans with employers and rehabilitation services

• Job coaching forms, service delivery documentation tools

• Medicaid enrollment guidance and billing setup

• Outcome measurement tools and quality monitoring system

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