RESIDENTIAL HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN MARYLAND

Fatumata Kaba
Sep 3
4 min read

SUPPORTING INDEPENDENT LIVING WITH 24/7 SUPERVISION, SKILL DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Residential Habilitation Services in Maryland offer supervised, structured living arrangements for individuals with developmental disabilities who require ongoing support. These services are authorized under the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and funded through the Community Pathways Waiver, designed to help individuals live as independently as possible in homes they choose.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Maryland Department of Health (MDH)

Role: Regulates home and community-based services under Medicaid

Agency: Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)

Role: Oversees Residential Habilitation service delivery, compliance, and provider certification

Agency: Office of Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS Maryland)

Role: Hosts the platform for service tracking and Medicaid billing

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures waiver-based residential services comply with HCBS federal standards

2. RESIDENTIAL HABILITATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Residential Habilitation supports individuals living in DDA-approved residential settings, including group homes, alternative living units (ALUs), or individually-owned homes. Services focus on:

24/7 supervision and personal care
Assistance with ADLs and IADLs
Community integration and socialization
Skill development in budgeting, cooking, hygiene, and safety
Medication administration and health monitoring
Implementation of behavioral support plans (if required)

Supports must align with each participant’s Person-Centered Plan (PCP) and Individual Plan (IP).

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)
Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI
Apply to become a DDA-approved Residential Habilitation Provider
Secure and prepare housing units that meet DDA licensure and life-safety standards
Submit floor plans, emergency procedures, and staffing plans
Hire and train Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and residential managers
Maintain liability, property, and workers’ comp insurance

4. DDA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT & LICENSING PROCESS

Step 1: Program and Site Development

Identify residential properties and ensure ADA accessibility
Develop policies for supervision, emergency response, and skill-building routines

Step 2: Submit Application to DDA

Include Residential Habilitation as a selected service
Provide site details, ownership/lease agreements, and staffing models

Step 3: Facility Review & Pre-Licensure Inspection

DDA performs site visits to ensure fire safety, accessibility, and adequacy of space

Step 4: Provider Certification and Participant Referrals

Begin accepting residents through Coordination of Community Services (CCS) referrals
Deliver support and document via the LTSS Maryland platform

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or LLC paperwork
IRS EIN and NPI registration
DDA provider enrollment and facility approval
Lease agreements or property ownership documentation
Policy & procedure manual including:
- Daily schedule templates and shift change reports
- Emergency response, evacuation, and crisis procedures
- Medication administration policies (with RN delegation if needed)
- Client rights, grievance resolution, and incident reporting
- Hygiene, nutrition, and recreational routines
- Behavioral support protocols (if applicable)
- Staff onboarding and supervision tracking
- Health, safety, and infection control standards

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Requirements: High school diploma or GED, criminal background check, First Aid/CPR certification, DDA Core Competency training, medication administration (if delegated)

Role: Residential Manager / Program Supervisor

Requirements: Experience in disability services and residential supervision; oversees daily operations and compliance

Role: Registered Nurse (if required for medical oversight)

Requirements: Valid Maryland RN license; oversees health plans, medication delegation, and staff competency

Training Requirements for All Staff:

DDA Orientation and Residential Core Competencies
Emergency and disaster response
Infection control and universal precautions
Person-Centered Planning (PCP) implementation
De-escalation and behavioral support techniques
Medication administration (CMT certification if delegated)

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Residential Habilitation is funded through:

Community Pathways Waiver – Covers 24/7 residential habilitation and supports in licensed DDA settings

Authorized service components include:

Daily supervision and ADL/IADL assistance
Skill development and goal tracking
Nighttime staffing and sleep support
Social inclusion and leisure activities
Implementation of behavioral plans
Medication assistance and nursing oversight (as applicable)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration and Site Acquisition

Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: Policy Manual Development and Staffing

Timeline: 3–6 weeks

Phase: DDA Application and Residential Facility Approval

Timeline: 8–12 weeks

Phase: Licensing Inspection, Referral Networking, and Service Start

Timeline: Ongoing

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)

Website: https://dda.health.maryland.gov

Email: dda.providerapps@maryland.gov

Maryland Medicaid Provider Enrollment (ePREP)

Website: https://eprep.health.maryland.gov

Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)

Website: https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress

Maryland Office of Health Care Quality (for facility-related concerns)

Website: https://health.maryland.gov/ohcq

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — MARYLAND RESIDENTIAL HABILITATION PROVIDER

We help mission-driven professionals and organizations establish fully compliant Residential Habilitation programs that promote independence, dignity, and quality of life.

Scope of Work: