RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDER IN VIRGINIA

Fatumata Kaba
7 days ago
4 min read

CREATING SAFE, SUPPORTIVE HOMES THAT PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE, DIGNITY, AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Residential Support Services in Virginia provide 24-hour or scheduled assistance for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) who require help with daily living skills in a licensed or supervised home setting. These services aim to empower individuals to live in the least restrictive environment possible while receiving the personal and behavioral support they need to thrive. These services are funded through the Community Living (CL) Waiver, and in some cases the Family and Individual Supports (FIS) Waiver, and are coordinated by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) in partnership with Community Services Boards (CSBs). Licensing is handled by the DBHDS Office of Licensing.

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1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS)

Role: Oversees licensing, regulation, and quality assurance for residential services.

Agency: Community Services Boards (CSBs)

Role: Authorize and monitor residential supports as part of the Individual Support Plan (ISP).

Agency: Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)

Role: Administers Medicaid funding and waiver enrollment for residential providers.

2. RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT SERVICES OVERVIEW

Residential Support Services are provided in settings that may be:

Group Homes (4 or fewer residents per home)
Sponsored Residential Homes (individuals live with a family or caregiver)
Supported Living (individuals live independently or with roommates in provider-supported housing)

Services may include:

Assistance with ADLs and IADLs (e.g., dressing, hygiene, cooking, laundry)
Medication administration and health monitoring
Supervision and safety support
Behavioral support and crisis response
Community participation and recreation
Skill-building and ISP goal tracking
Transportation and appointment assistance

Each service must align with the Person-Centered ISP and support the individual's desired lifestyle and goals.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC)
Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI
Apply for a DBHDS Residential Services License via the Office of Licensing
Complete a DBHDS Provider Application Packet and Human Rights Affiliation
Develop a Residential Services Policy & Procedure Manual
Submit facility inspection reports (fire safety, occupancy, etc.)
Enroll as a Medicaid provider via DMAS MES portal
Contract with the appropriate CSBs for referrals and authorizations

4. VIRGINIA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Register entity with SCC, obtain EIN and NPI

Step 2: Complete DBHDS licensing application and prepare facility

Step 3: Pass DBHDS Office of Licensing inspection and affiliation with Human Rights Committee

Step 4: Enroll as Medicaid provider via MES portal

Step 5: Contract with CSBs and submit staffing plans and site documentation

Step 6: Begin providing services upon ISP authorization and placement

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

SCC registration, EIN, and NPI
DBHDS Residential Services License
Medicaid enrollment confirmation
CSB service agreements and referral forms
Residential Support Policy & Procedure Manual, including:
- Staffing and supervision protocols
- Medication administration and documentation
- Emergency evacuation and incident reporting
- Client rights, HIPAA, and behavioral support plans
- Daily shift notes, ISP goal tracking, and house logs
- Staff orientation, training, and background check records

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Requirements:

High school diploma or equivalent
Background and CPS registry checks
Medication administration (MAT) certification
CPR, First Aid, and behavior support training

Role: Program Manager or House Supervisor

Responsibilities:

Staff scheduling, ISP compliance, site management, and quality control

Role: RN (if required for health support needs)

Responsibilities:

Oversees medical care, trains staff on medication and care protocols

All staff must complete:

Human Rights training and ISP implementation
Person-Centered Planning training
Emergency preparedness and documentation practices
Annual competency assessments and retraining as required by DBHDS

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Residential Supports are primarily covered under:

Community Living (CL) Waiver – Designed for individuals needing 24/7 or significant in-home residential support
Family and Individual Supports (FIS) Waiver – May support limited or shared housing models with less than 24-hour care

All services must be included in the ISP and authorized by the individual’s CSB.

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation & Licensing Prep

Timeline: 2–3 months (includes DBHDS inspections)

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment & CSB Contracting

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Training & Site Readiness

Timeline: 4–6 weeks

Phase: Service Launch

Timeline: Begins upon CSB referral, placement match, and ISP approval

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS)

Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov

DBHDS Office of Licensing

Website: https://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/office-of-licensing/

Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)

Website: https://www.dmas.virginia.gov

Community Services Boards Directory

Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/community-services-boards/

RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDER IN VIRGINIA

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — VIRGINIA RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT PROVIDER

WCG supports new providers in launching licensed, fully compliant residential programs that center around person-directed planning and quality of life.

Scope of Work: