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)
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
Website: https://www.azahcccs.gov/
Arizona Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal

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:
Business registration and EIN/NPI setup
DDD Qualified Vendor Application (QVA) support and documentation development
Development of Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual
Staff credentialing and training templates
Medicaid and MCO billing and claims system setup
Website, domain, and email setup
Participant intake and person-centered employment planning packet
Job development and employer engagement strategy templates
Service progress tracking forms and incident reporting tools
Community networking and employer partnership development strategies
Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements.
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