PRE-VOCATIONAL SERVICES PROVIDER IN INDIANA

Watchen Roberts
Jul 18
4 min read

BUILDING WORKPLACE SKILLS AND PROMOTING EMPLOYMENT READINESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Pre-Vocational Services in Indiana help individuals with developmental disabilities or other significant barriers to employment acquire essential skills necessary for success in the workforce. These services are authorized under Indiana Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs to support personal growth, independence, and community employment.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) — Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS)

Role: Oversees Pre-Vocational Service delivery, provider enrollment, participant rights protections, and quality monitoring

Agency: Indiana Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning (OMPP)

Role: Administers Medicaid waiver funding for Pre-Vocational Services and manages provider reimbursement processes

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight ensuring that Medicaid-funded Pre-Vocational Services align with HCBS Settings Rule, person-centered planning, and competitive integrated employment goals

2. PRE-VOCATIONAL SERVICE OVERVIEW

Pre-Vocational Services assist participants in developing general employment-related skills, rather than specific job training, to prepare for competitive or integrated employment in the community.

Approved providers may deliver:

Instruction in workplace behaviors such as punctuality, attendance, social interaction, and following directions
Development of soft skills like teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and task completion
Activities to build stamina, focus, and endurance for a regular work schedule
Career exploration activities to identify interests, preferences, and strengths
Support for developing self-advocacy skills and work-related decision-making
Volunteer opportunities and community-based work experiences to practice skills

All services must align with the participant’s Individualized Service Plan (ISP) and Employment Outcome goals, and must be time-limited, emphasizing movement toward competitive employment.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business entity with the Indiana Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Enroll as a Medicaid Waiver provider through the Indiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
Meet FSSA DDRS provider standards for Pre-Vocational Service delivery
Maintain general liability and professional liability insurance
Develop policies for skill-building activities, participant health and safety, rights protection, and service documentation
Ensure all direct service staff meet background screening, training, and credentialing requirements

4. INDIANA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Submit Provider Enrollment Application through the Indiana Medicaid Provider Portal for Pre-Vocational Services under the applicable HCBS waiver program

Application and Documentation Submission:

Provide Articles of Incorporation, EIN/NPI confirmation, insurance certificates, operational policies, staff background check records, and participant intake procedures

Program Readiness Review:

FSSA (DDRS) reviews provider readiness including service models, skill development plans, staff qualifications, safety protocols, and participant rights policies

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

Upon approval, providers are authorized to deliver Pre-Vocational Services and bill for service delivery based on approved units

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Indiana Secretary of State)
IRS EIN confirmation
NPI confirmation
Proof of general liability and professional liability insurance
Pre-Vocational Services Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Participant intake, skill assessment, service planning, and goal development procedures
- Structured skill development activity plans
- Participant health and safety monitoring protocols
- Participant rights protections, HIPAA compliance, and grievance procedures
- Staff credentialing, background screening, training documentation
- Medicaid billing documentation and audit readiness systems

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Pre-Vocational Services Program Director / Supervisor

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

Role: Pre-Vocational Skills Trainers / Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)

Requirements: High school diploma or GED minimum; experience working with individuals with disabilities preferred; background screening clearance

All staff must complete:

Person-centered planning and employment support training
Abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention training
HIPAA compliance and confidentiality training
Emergency response and participant safety training
Annual competency evaluations and continuing education updates

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

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

Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) Waiver
Family Supports Waiver (FSW)

Approved providers may deliver:

Work readiness skill development
Career exploration and goal-setting activities
Community-based volunteer work and internships
Training aimed at transitioning to Supported or Competitive Employment

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Licensing/Compliance Preparation

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Program Curriculum Development

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Indiana Medicaid Enrollment and Readiness Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Medicaid Billing Setup and Pre-Vocational Service Launch

Timeline: 30–45 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) — Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS)

Website: https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/

Indiana Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning (OMPP)

Website: https://www.in.gov/fssa/ompp/

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

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

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

WCG assists employment service agencies, day service providers, and community rehabilitation programs in launching Medicaid-compliant Pre-Vocational Services across Indiana.

Scope of Work:

Business registration, Medicaid enrollment, and waiver provider certification guidance
Development of Pre-Vocational Services Policy & Procedure Manual
Staff credentialing templates, skill development tracking forms, and participant progress templates
Medicaid billing system setup and claims management support
Website, domain, and professional branding setup
Structured skill development curriculum templates and community engagement planning tools
Quality assurance systems for service tracking, incident reporting, and participant satisfaction monitoring
Partnership development with vocational rehabilitation agencies, schools, and community employers