NUTRITIONAL SERVICES PROVIDER IN CALIFORNIA

Fatumata Kaba
Jul 6
3 min read

PROMOTING HEALTH AND WELLNESS THROUGH PERSONALIZED DIETARY SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Nutritional Services in California supports the dietary health and nutritional well-being of individuals with developmental disabilities by providing assessments, meal planning, and education tailored to medical and personal needs. These services are authorized through California Regional Centers, the Self-Determination Program (SDP), and may also be included in some Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

Role: Provides oversight for nutritional services through Regional Centers and the Self-Determination Program

Agency: Regional Centers (21 nonprofit agencies statewide)

Role: Approve and authorize vendors to provide nutritional services under the IPP

Agency: California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)

Role: Coordinates Medicaid waiver coverage and clinical guidelines for nutrition-related services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures that nutritional services comply with federal HCBS standards

2. NUTRITIONAL SERVICE OVERVIEW

Nutritional Services include professional support to help individuals manage special dietary needs, support chronic health conditions, or improve their overall nutritional status. These services must align with the individual’s goals as documented in their Individual Program Plan (IPP) or Person-Centered Plan (PCP).

Approved providers may deliver:

Nutritional assessments and dietary evaluations
Customized meal planning based on individual needs (e.g., diabetic, gluten-free, low-sodium)
Education for individuals, families, and support staff
Support for feeding issues, food allergies, and adaptive utensils
Coordination with primary care physicians and therapists
Documentation of services, progress, and recommendations

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the California Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Apply for vendorization through a Regional Center under Service Code 715 (Dietitian Services) or similar
OR provide services through the Self-Determination Program (SDP) with an approved Financial Management Service (FMS)
Employ or contract Registered Dietitians (RDs) or Licensed Dietitians (LDs)
Maintain liability insurance and HIPAA-compliant documentation systems

4. REGIONAL CENTER VENDORIZATION PROCESS

Step 1: Contact the Regional Center

Request a vendor application packet for nutritional or dietetic services

Step 2: Submit Required Documentation

Provide business credentials, resumes and licenses of staff, service descriptions, and sample reports

Step 3: Approval and Vendor Number Issuance

Once approved, begin accepting referrals aligned with participants’ IPPs

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Fictitious Business Name (FBN)
IRS EIN Letter
NPI confirmation
RD/LD license verification
Regional Center vendor approval or SDP authorization
Policy & procedure manual including:
- Nutrition assessment forms and consent documentation
- Meal plan templates and educational materials
- Service delivery logs and progress tracking sheets
- Confidentiality and HIPAA policies
- Emergency nutrition plan procedures (for medically fragile clients)
- Client rights, complaint resolution, and communication protocols
- Staff credentials, training logs, and supervision documentation

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Registered Dietitian (RD) / Licensed Dietitian (LD)

Requirements: Valid California RD or LD license, CPR certification (recommended), experience with disabilities or chronic conditions

Role: Nutrition Educator / Assistant (if applicable)

Requirements: Works under the supervision of an RD, background check, and training in client education

Training Requirements for All Staff:

Person-centered service delivery
HIPAA and confidentiality
Nutritional counseling and documentation
Annual continuing education and ethics review

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Nutritional Services are funded under:

Regional Center Services (IPP-authorized)
Self-Determination Program (PCP-authorized)
HCBS Waivers (e.g., 1915(c) DD Waiver when related to health goals)
EPSDT for Medi-Cal-enrolled minors with medical necessity

Approved providers may deliver:

Initial and follow-up nutrition evaluations
Customized dietary plans and training for caregivers
Coordination with healthcare and interdisciplinary teams
Documentation of measurable outcomes

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: Regional Center Vendorization or SDP Onboarding

Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Staff Credentialing and Materials Setup

Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: Referral Activation and Service Start

Timeline: Ongoing

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

Email: info@dds.ca.gov

Website: https://www.dds.ca.gov

California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)

Website: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov

Find Your Regional Center:

Website: https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/lookup

California Department of Consumer Affairs – Board of Registered Dietitians

Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — CALIFORNIA NUTRITIONAL SERVICES PROVIDER

We help registered dietitians and wellness professionals establish compliant Nutritional Services under California’s Regional Center and Self-Determination systems.

Scope of Work: