SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN ARKANSAS

Fatumata Kaba
Jul 6
3 min read

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO ACHIEVE MEANINGFUL WORK THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED, COMMUNITY-BASED EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

Supported Employment Services in Arkansas assist individuals with developmental disabilities in obtaining and maintaining competitive, integrated employment. These services are offered under the Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver through the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) and aim to help individuals gain greater independence, financial stability, and self-confidence through job coaching, skills training, and workplace support.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) – Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)

Role: Approves and monitors Supported Employment providers and ensures service alignment with CES Waiver goals

Agency: Arkansas Medicaid / Division of Medical Services (DMS)

Role: Oversees Medicaid reimbursement for Supported Employment services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures federal compliance with HCBS Final Rule and employment-first principles

2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OVERVIEW

Supported Employment Services are designed to help individuals prepare for, find, and sustain competitive employment in the general workforce. Services are person-centered and may take place in a variety of community settings, including individual workplaces or enclaves.

Approved providers may deliver:

Job development and employer outreach
Job coaching and on-the-job training
Interview preparation and resume building
Benefits counseling and workplace accommodations assistance
Transportation training or coordination (as a support service)
Ongoing support to sustain employment success
Documentation of employment progress and ISP goals

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Arkansas Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Apply to become a CES Waiver provider through the DDS Provider Application
Complete Medicaid provider enrollment via the Arkansas Medicaid Portal
Maintain general liability insurance
Develop written employment service policies and procedures
Hire qualified employment specialists and job coaches

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid Enrollment

Apply via the Arkansas Medicaid Provider Portal
Select Supported Employment under CES Waiver services
Submit required forms, NPI, tax documentation, and EFT setup

Step 2: DDS CES Waiver Provider Application

Submit policies for job coaching, data collection, and employer engagement
Include staff training logs and proposed service delivery model

Step 3: Approval and Referrals

Upon approval, begin receiving referrals from DDS case managers and transition coordinators

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License
IRS EIN Letter
NPI confirmation
Medicaid and CES Waiver provider approval
Policy & procedure manual including:
- Job development and employer partnership guidelines
- Client intake and employment goal assessment forms
- Individual support plans (ISPs) and service documentation logs
- Progress tracking and retention reports
- Staff training, background checks, and supervision logs
- Workplace safety and disability accommodation procedures
- Billing documentation and timesheet verification
- Incident reporting and emergency procedures

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Employment Specialist / Job Developer

Requirements: Experience in vocational rehabilitation, human services, or job coaching; knowledge of employer engagement and labor market trends

Role: Job Coach / Support Professional

Requirements:

High school diploma or GED
Completion of employment support or disability services training
Background check and registry clearance
CPR/First Aid and safety training

Training Requirements for All Staff:

Person-centered employment planning
Disability awareness and workplace inclusion
Documentation and progress reporting
Ethics, safety, and confidentiality protocols
Annual continuing education in employment services

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Supported Employment Services are available under:

Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver

Approved providers may deliver:

Individualized support to obtain and maintain employment
Coordination with employers, transition counselors, and DDS case managers
On-site coaching and off-site monitoring
Documentation aligned with the individual’s ISP and work goals

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment & CES Waiver Provider Application

Timeline: 45–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring and Credentialing

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Service Readiness and Referral Outreach

Timeline: 2–4 weeks

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Arkansas Department of Human Services – Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)

Email: ddsproviderinfo@dhs.arkansas.gov

Phone: (501) 683-5687

Website: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/about-dhs/dms/dds

Arkansas Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal

Website: https://portal.mmis.arkansas.gov

Supported Employment Services in Arkansas

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — ARKANSAS SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER

We help agencies launch community-focused Supported Employment Services under Arkansas’s CES Waiver, empowering individuals with disabilities to thrive in the workforce.

Scope of Work: