INTERMITTENT EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN TENNESSEE

Fatumata Kaba
3d
3 min read

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH FLEXIBLE, PERSON-CENTERED SUPPORT TO GAIN AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT IN THE COMMUNITY

Intermittent Employment Services in Tennessee support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who have obtained a job or are participating in employment training but require on-call or occasional assistance to remain successful in competitive or supported employment. These services are authorized under TennCare’s Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES Waiver and certain 1915(c) Waivers.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid)

Role: Funds and regulates waiver-based employment services and ensures they are aligned with person-centered goals.

Agency: Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD)

Role: Approves providers, monitors service quality, and oversees compliance with employment-related service standards.

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)**

Role: Establishes federal guidelines for employment supports within Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers.

2. INTERMITTENT EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OVERVIEW

Intermittent Employment Services are flexible supports provided to individuals who do not need daily job coaching but may require assistance occasionally to maintain employment success.

Supports may include:

On-call job coaching during schedule changes, new tasks, or workplace conflicts
Intermittent travel training or assistance with transportation coordination
Employer communication support (problem-solving, accommodations, advocacy)
Coaching on time management, workplace safety, or customer service as needed
Troubleshooting performance issues or transitions in job duties
Coordination with Vocational Rehabilitation, Supported Employment, and the ISP team

These services must be linked to a specific employment outcome and documented in the Individual Support Plan (ISP).

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register the business with the Tennessee Secretary of State
Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI
Apply to become an approved provider with DIDD under Employment Services
Maintain liability insurance and data privacy compliance
Develop a Policy & Procedure Manual for Employment Services, including intermittent support documentation standards

4. TENNESSEE PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Register business entity and secure EIN/NPI

Step 2: Apply for provider enrollment with DIDD under ECF CHOICES

Step 3: Submit staffing qualifications, documentation systems, and incident response plan

Step 4: Complete the required DIDD and employment support training

Step 5: Begin accepting referrals once participant ISPs include employment goals requiring intermittent supports

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation, EIN, NPI
Insurance coverage and staff background checks
Employment Services Policy & Procedure Manual, including:
- Job coaching protocols and engagement criteria
- ISP collaboration and employment goal alignment
- Support documentation forms (intermittent log sheets, contact notes)
- Employer coordination procedures and workplace confidentiality
- Incident and progress reporting policies
- Service utilization tracking and outcome documentation

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Employment Support Professional / Job Coach

Requirements: HS diploma or higher; prior experience in vocational support, soft skills coaching, or workforce development; abuse prevention training

Role: Employment Program Coordinator (optional)

Requirements: Experience managing waiver-based employment services; coordinates with ISP teams and employers

All staff must complete:

DIDD Employment Services Training
Person-Centered Planning and HCBS documentation
HIPAA, workplace etiquette, and abuse prevention
Employer engagement and advocacy skills
Safety and emergency protocols related to job sites

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Intermittent Employment Services are covered under:

ECF CHOICES – For individuals actively employed or preparing for employment who need non-continuous support
1915(c) Waivers (Comprehensive or SD) – For individuals requiring job retention or minimal support to maintain employment
Katie Beckett (in rare cases) – When employment is a goal in the transition from youth to adult services

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration & Policy Manual Development

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: DIDD Enrollment & Training Completion

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Staff Recruitment & Documentation Setup

Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Participant Assignment & Service Activation

Timeline: Begins once ISP approval is secured and intermittent support is authorized

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD)

Website: https://www.tn.gov/didd