RESIDENTIAL HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN SOUTH DAKOTA

Fatumata Kaba
Oct 15
3 min read

DELIVERING 24/7 SUPPORT IN RESIDENTIAL SETTINGS TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE, SKILL DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY LIVING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Residential Habilitation Services in South Dakota are designed to provide individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) the support they need to live as independently as possible in a structured, home-like environment. These services are covered under the CHOICES Waiver administered by the South Dakota Department of Human Services (DHS). Residential habilitation focuses on personal care, supervision, and training in daily living skills in agency-operated settings such as group homes or supervised apartments.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: South Dakota Department of Human Services (DHS) – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

Role: Authorizes and monitors Residential Habilitation providers under the CHOICES Waiver, including quality reviews and licensing oversight.

Agency: South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS)**

Role: May provide regulatory guidance for residential facilities and funding coordination in special circumstances.

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)**

Role: Enforces HCBS federal compliance and person-centered planning regulations for waiver-funded residential services.

2. RESIDENTIAL HABILITATION SERVICES OVERVIEW

Residential Habilitation supports individuals with disabilities who require 24-hour care and supervision in a provider-operated home. Services include help with daily living, social skills, and behavior support to ensure meaningful integration in the community.

Approved providers may deliver:

24-Hour Supervision and Support
Assistance with ADLs and Personal Hygiene
Meal Preparation and Nutrition Monitoring
Behavioral Support Plan Implementation
Skill-Building Activities: Cooking, money management, cleaning, etc.
Community Participation and Transportation Support
Medication Management (non-skilled)
Plan of Care Implementation and Documentation

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your organization with the South Dakota Secretary of State
Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI
Apply to DHS-DDD for enrollment as a Residential Habilitation provider
Comply with facility and staffing standards for 24/7 care homes
Prepare for site visits and readiness reviews by DHS
Develop a Residential Habilitation Policy & Procedure Manual
Maintain general liability, workers’ comp, and participant risk coverage

4. SOUTH DAKOTA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Form your legal entity, obtain EIN and NPI

Step 2: Apply to the Division of Developmental Disabilities as a CHOICES Waiver provider

Step 3: Submit facility information, staff training materials, and policy documentation

Step 4: Participate in site inspection and service readiness assessment

Step 5: Upon approval, receive referrals through participant case managers

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Business formation documents, EIN, and NPI
Facility lease or ownership documentation
Insurance certificates (liability, workers’ comp, etc.)
Residential Habilitation Policy & Procedure Manual, including:
- Participant admission and transition policies
- ADL support routines and daily schedule templates
- Incident reporting, emergency response, and behavioral intervention plans
- HIPAA compliance and participant rights protocols
- Staff shift reports, attendance logs, and plan-of-care implementation records
- Health and safety checklists and medication logs

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Requirements:

Background check, CPR/First Aid, abuse prevention training
DHS-required training in ADLs, documentation, and participant safety
Ongoing in-service education on residential support

Role: House Manager / Site Coordinator

Requirements: Supervises DSPs, monitors service delivery, reports incidents

Role: Behavior Support Professional (if needed)

Requirements: Delivers or oversees behavior interventions per participant plan

All staff must complete:

HIPAA and participant rights training
Medication management and safety drills
Emergency preparedness and documentation protocols
Annual evaluations and skills verification

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Residential Habilitation is authorized under:

CHOICES Waiver – Primary HCBS waiver for adults with IDD requiring 24-hour supervision
Family Support 360 (in rare transitions) – May be used when shifting from family-based to agency-based settings
State Plan Medicaid – May cover limited nursing or medical services in combination with habilitation (as needed)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business & Facility Setup

Timeline: 2–4 months

Phase: Medicaid Provider Enrollment & Site Readiness

Timeline: 3–5 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Training & Compliance Checks

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Service Launch

Timeline: Begins after approval, referrals, and person-centered service planning

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

South Dakota Department of Human Services – Division of Developmental Disabilities

Website: https://dhs.sd.gov

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Website: https://www.cms.gov

RESIDENTIAL HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN SOUTH DAKOTA

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — SD RESIDENTIAL HABILITATION PROVIDER

WCG helps agencies build compliant and person-centered residential habilitation programs that empower individuals with disabilities to live fuller, more independent lives.

Scope of Work: