SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN ARIZONA

Fatumata Kaba
Jul 2
4 min read

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO ACHIEVE COMPETITIVE, COMMUNITY-BASED EMPLOYMENT

Supported Employment Services in Arizona assist individuals with disabilities in finding, obtaining, and maintaining competitive employment in integrated settings. These services are authorized under Arizona’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waiver programs and are designed to promote self-sufficiency, independence, and full participation in the workforce.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)

Role: Oversees provider enrollment, service authorization, and reimbursement under HCBS waiver programs

Agency: Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

Role: Manages Supported Employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities enrolled in DDD programs

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight and ensures Medicaid-funded employment services comply with HCBS rules and person-centered planning requirements

2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OVERVIEW

Supported Employment Services focus on helping individuals with disabilities prepare for, secure, and sustain employment opportunities that align with their skills, interests, and goals.

Approved providers may deliver:

Job development and customized job search assistance
Interview preparation and employer engagement
On-the-job coaching and skills training
Assistance with workplace accommodations and natural supports
Career advancement planning
Ongoing monitoring to promote job stability and satisfaction
Assistance transitioning to independent employment without paid supports when possible

Supported Employment can be provided as Individual Supported Employment (one-on-one support) or Group Supported Employment (small group employment in an integrated community setting).

All services must follow the participant’s person-centered employment plan and must comply with Employment First principles, promoting competitive, integrated employment.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Arizona Corporation Commission
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Meet DDD Qualified Vendor Application (QVA) requirements for Supported Employment Services
Maintain liability insurance
Develop policies and procedures for employment supports, employer engagement, and client rights
Ensure staff have training and experience in vocational rehabilitation, employment services, or related fields

4. AHCCCS/DDD PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Request Supported Employment Provider application materials from DDD
(Recommended) Attend DDD or AHCCCS provider orientation sessions

Application and Documentation Submission:

Submit business license, service delivery description, staffing plan, and staff qualifications
Provide sample person-centered employment plans, job coaching procedures, and progress tracking tools
Submit documentation of insurance, background check policies, and emergency response plans

Program Readiness Review:

DDD reviews applicant compliance with program standards and service model expectations
May conduct interviews, audits, or facility inspections (for providers offering Group Supported Employment)

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

After DDD approval, complete registration with AHCCCS as a Medicaid provider
Contract with applicable Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) under AHCCCS or DDD
Configure billing and service authorization systems

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License
IRS EIN confirmation
NPI confirmation
Liability insurance documentation
DDD Qualified Vendor Agreement (QVA) approval documentation
Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Participant intake and employment planning procedures
- Job development, placement, and coaching protocols
- Confidentiality, client rights, and informed consent policies
- Incident reporting and health/safety protocols
- Staff background checks, credentialing records, and annual training logs
- Progress documentation templates and reporting schedules
- Medicaid billing, authorization tracking, and service logging systems

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Supported Employment Services Coordinator

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation, social work, special education, or related fields preferred; background check clearance

Role: Job Coach / Employment Specialist

Requirements: High school diploma or GED required; experience in employment supports; CPR/First Aid certification recommended; background check clearance

All staff must complete:

Orientation on HCBS waiver employment services and Medicaid documentation
Employment First principles and person-centered planning training
Workplace safety and emergency preparedness training
Confidentiality, abuse prevention, and rights protection training
Annual continuing education related to vocational supports and best practices

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Arizona Medicaid Waivers authorize Supported Employment Services:

Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) – Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program
Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) HCBS Programs
ALTCS Elderly and Physically Disabled (EPD) Program (in some cases for younger adults with disabilities)

Approved providers may deliver:

Individual Supported Employment (one-on-one job development and support)
Group Supported Employment (small group employment with integrated community participation)
Ongoing career development support under person-centered employment goals

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Staffing Setup

Timeline: 2–3 weeks

Phase: DDD Qualified Vendor Application Submission and Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring, Training, and System Setup

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: AHCCCS Enrollment and MCO Contracting

Timeline: 45–60 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Arizona Department of Economic Security – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

Website: https://des.az.gov/services/disabilities/developmental-disabilities

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)

Website: https://www.azahcccs.gov/

Arizona Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal

Website: https://www.azahcccs.gov/PlansProviders/NewProviders/

Supported Employment Services in Arizona

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — ARIZONA SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROVIDER

WCG helps employment service agencies and entrepreneurs establish Medicaid-compliant Supported Employment Services under Arizona’s DDD and HCBS Waiver programs.

Scope of Work: