PRE-VOCATIONAL SERVICES PROVIDER IN ILLINOIS

BUILDING SKILLS FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT AND INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Pre-Vocational Services in Illinois help individuals with disabilities or significant barriers to employment develop the skills, work habits, and experiences needed to transition into competitive or supported employment. These services are authorized under Illinois Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs, empowering participants to prepare for meaningful employment opportunities in the community.

​​​​1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) — Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)

Role: Oversees pre-vocational provider certification, service quality, participant rights, and outcome tracking

Agency: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)

Role: Administers Medicaid waiver funding for Pre-Vocational Services and manages provider enrollment and billing systems

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight, ensuring Pre-Vocational Services meet Medicaid HCBS requirements for community integration, choice, and skill-building

2. PRE-VOCATIONAL SERVICE OVERVIEW

Pre-Vocational Services focus on developing general work skills, rather than job-specific training, to help individuals prepare for community employment.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Skills training in areas such as punctuality, task completion, communication, and workplace etiquette

• Development of problem-solving, teamwork, and interpersonal skills

• Support in building stamina, focus, and workplace behavior expectations

• Exposure to various employment settings through volunteer work, internships, or on-site experiences

• Assistance with self-advocacy, career exploration, and personal goal setting

• Support in developing individualized employment pathways leading to competitive, integrated employment

Pre-Vocational Services must be outlined in the participant’s Person-Centered Plan (PCP) and reviewed regularly to ensure they are time-limited and focused on employment outcomes.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business entity with the Illinois Secretary of State

• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)

• Enroll as a Medicaid Waiver provider through the Illinois Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal (IMPACT system)

• Obtain certification or approval as a Developmental Disabilities (DD) Services Provider (if serving individuals with DD)

• Maintain general liability insurance and, if applicable, vehicle insurance for transportation-related activities

• Develop policies addressing skill development activities, participant health and safety, service documentation, and rights protections

• Ensure all staff meet background screening, disability awareness, and vocational support training requirements

4. ILLINOIS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Submit Provider Enrollment Application through the IMPACT system for Pre-Vocational Services under the appropriate waiver program

Application and Documentation Submission:

• Provide Articles of Incorporation, proof of EIN/NPI, operational policies, staff credentialing documents, insurance certificates, and participant intake forms

Program Readiness Review:

• DHS reviews provider readiness, including service models, staff qualifications, health and safety protocols, documentation systems, and billing practices

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Upon approval, providers are authorized to deliver and bill for Pre-Vocational Services under designated waiver billing codes

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Illinois Secretary of State)

• IRS EIN confirmation

• NPI confirmation

• Proof of general liability and, if applicable, transportation insurance

• Pre-Vocational Services Policy & Procedure Manual including:

  • Participant assessment, intake, and employment goal planning processes

  • Structured skills development curriculum and individualized service plan procedures

  • Risk management, participant supervision, and transportation safety policies

  • Incident reporting, participant rights, HIPAA confidentiality procedures

  • Staff credentialing, background checks, and training records

  • Medicaid billing documentation and audit preparedness standards

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Pre-Vocational Program Director / Supervisor

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation, education, human services, or related field preferred; background clearance; experience in vocational services or employment supports

Role: Vocational Trainers / Employment Specialists

Requirements: High school diploma or GED minimum; training in disability support services, vocational development strategies, and behavior supports; background clearance

All staff must complete:

• HCBS Settings Rule and participant rights training

• Vocational skills development and person-centered employment planning training

• Workplace safety, abuse prevention, and emergency response training

• HIPAA compliance and confidentiality training

• Annual continuing education and competency evaluations

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Pre-Vocational Services are available under the following Illinois Medicaid waivers:

• Adults with Developmental Disabilities Waiver

• Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities Waiver

• Persons with Brain Injury (BI) Waiver (if employment is a goal)

Approved providers may deliver:

• Time-limited, individualized pre-vocational training

• Career exploration and skills-building activities

• Volunteer and community-based work experience opportunities

• Ongoing reassessment toward transition to competitive or supported employment

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Medicaid Compliance Preparation

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Program Curriculum Development

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: IMPACT Medicaid Provider Enrollment and DHS Readiness Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Medicaid Billing Configuration and Pre-Vocational Program Launch

Timeline: 30–45 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) — Division of Developmental Disabilities

Website: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=48540

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)

Website: https://www.hfs.illinois.gov/

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Website: https://www.cms.gov/

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — ILLINOIS PRE-VOCATIONAL SERVICES PROVIDER

WCG assists pre-vocational service organizations, disability support agencies, and community employment initiatives in launching Medicaid-compliant Pre-Vocational Services programs across Illinois.

Scope of Work:

• Business registration, Medicaid enrollment, and program certification assistance

• Development of Pre-Vocational Services Policy & Procedure Manual

• Staff credentialing templates, participant intake forms, and employment pathway templates

• Medicaid billing system setup and claims management assistance

• Website, domain, and professional branding setup

• Development of skills training curriculum and structured activity schedules

• Quality assurance systems for service delivery, monitoring, and participant outcome tracking

• Community employment partnership strategies and referral network development

Continue To Our Client Portal To Get Started

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