PREVOCATIONAL SERVICES PROVIDER IN LOUISIANA

Fatumata Kaba
Aug 12
3 min read

BUILDING SKILLS FOR WORKPLACE SUCCESS THROUGH STRUCTURED, COMMUNITY-FOCUSED VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Prevocational Services in Louisiana support individuals with disabilities in developing the foundational skills needed for future competitive employment. These services focus on work readiness, soft skills, and appropriate workplace behaviors and are delivered through structured training programs authorized under the state’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) — Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD)

Role: Defines standards, monitors outcomes, and approves providers delivering prevocational training under Medicaid waivers

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight to ensure that prevocational services align with person-centered goals and the federal HCBS Settings Rule

Agency: Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) / Molina Medicaid Solutions

Role: Handles provider enrollment and claims processing for waiver-funded services

Agency: Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS)

Role: Collaborates for vocational goal-setting and potential transition to competitive employment services

2. PREVOCATIONAL SERVICE OVERVIEW

Prevocational Services offer non-job-specific training designed to help participants develop general skills that prepare them for employment. Services may take place in small group community settings or individually based on the participant’s Plan of Care (POC).

Approved providers may deliver:

Instruction in workplace etiquette and communication
Problem-solving and decision-making exercises
Time management, attendance, and task completion skills
Vocational assessments and interest inventories
Community-based volunteer opportunities to practice skills
Transportation training and personal presentation workshops
Tracking of progress and readiness for Supported Employment

Services must be tied to individual employment goals, even if the participant is not currently job-seeking.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Louisiana Secretary of State
Obtain IRS EIN and Type 2 NPI
Enroll with Louisiana Medicaid through the Provider Enrollment Portal
Become an approved OCDD HCBS provider for Prevocational Services
Maintain liability and workers’ compensation insurance
Hire qualified vocational trainers or DSPs with experience in job readiness instruction
Develop a Prevocational Services Policy & Procedure Manual
Implement HIPAA-compliant documentation and service tracking systems

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Business Registration and Medicaid Enrollment

Enroll at https://www.lamedicaid.com under HCBS waiver provider type

Step 2: Submit to OCDD for Waiver Service Approval

Provide staffing plan, program structure, curriculum samples, and service delivery models

Step 3: Complete Staff Hiring and Credentialing

Background checks, required trainings, and participant rights orientation

Step 4: Begin Referrals and Training Programs

Coordinate with waiver case managers and LRS (if applicable) to support participant goals

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or sole proprietorship documentation
IRS EIN and NPI confirmation
Certificates of insurance
OCDD approval as a HCBS prevocational provider
Prevocational Services Policy & Procedure Manual, including:
- Individual Service Plan (ISP) goal tracking sheets
- Daily attendance and activity logs
- Progress summaries and skill assessments
- Participant rights and informed consent forms
- Emergency procedures and supervision protocols
- Staff training logs and ongoing evaluation templates
- Medicaid billing logs and audit-ready documentation

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Vocational Trainer / Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; experience with job readiness training and community-based supports; background check clearance

Role: Program Supervisor / Compliance Manager

Requirements: Experience in employment services or human services management; responsible for staff oversight, documentation, and quality assurance

Training Requirements for All Staff:

HIPAA and participant confidentiality
Workplace safety and soft skills coaching
Behavior management and positive reinforcement
Person-Centered Planning and Goal Documentation
Abuse/neglect prevention and emergency response

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Prevocational Services are reimbursed under:

Residential Options Waiver (ROW)
Supports Waiver
New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)
Children’s Choice Waiver (limited readiness activities for transition-age youth)
Money Follows the Person (MFP) for employment transition planning

Service delivery options include: