SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN COLORADO

Fatumata Kaba
1 day ago
4 min read

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO ACHIEVE COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

Supported Employment Services in Colorado assist individuals with disabilities in finding, obtaining, and maintaining meaningful, competitive employment in integrated community settings. These services are authorized under Colorado’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs and the Colorado Medicaid system, promoting independence, financial self-sufficiency, and full community participation.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF)

Role: Oversees Medicaid HCBS waivers and approves Supported Employment service providers

Agency: Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

Role: Coordinates employment services and vocational rehabilitation supports for individuals with disabilities

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight to ensure Supported Employment services meet HCBS and Medicaid compliance standards

2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OVERVIEW

Supported Employment Services help individuals prepare for, secure, and maintain employment through a person-centered, goal-driven approach.

Approved providers may deliver:

Job development, including customized job search and employer engagement
Resume building, interview coaching, and employment readiness training
On-the-job skills training and coaching
Workplace accommodation support and advocacy
Ongoing monitoring to ensure job retention and satisfaction
Career advancement support
Benefits counseling (in coordination with appropriate agencies)

Service models include Individual Supported Employment (one-on-one job support) and Group Supported Employment (small group employment in community businesses).

All services must align with the participant’s person-centered service plan and the principles of Colorado’s Employment First initiative.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Colorado Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Complete enrollment as a Medicaid provider through Colorado’s Gainwell Technologies portal
Maintain liability insurance
Develop policies and procedures that promote competitive, integrated employment
Ensure staff have experience and/or certification in vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, or disability services

4. HCPF PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Request Supported Employment Services application materials from HCPF
Attend a provider orientation session (recommended)

Application and Documentation Submission:

Submit business registration, organizational chart, staffing qualifications, and service descriptions
Provide person-centered employment planning forms, sample job coaching procedures, and employer partnership documentation
Submit background check procedures, proof of insurance, and emergency response policies

Program Readiness Review:

HCPF evaluates service models, participant engagement strategies, and compliance with HCBS requirements
May conduct interviews or readiness audits for new providers

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

After approval, finalize Medicaid enrollment through Gainwell Technologies
Configure service billing codes for Supported Employment through Colorado’s MMIS

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License
IRS EIN confirmation
NPI confirmation
General liability insurance documentation
HCPF-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Participant intake, employment planning, and goal setting
- Job development and customized employment strategies
- On-the-job coaching and follow-up support procedures
- Client rights, confidentiality, and HIPAA compliance policies
- Emergency procedures and workplace safety protocols
- Staff credentialing, background checks, and ongoing training logs
- Incident reporting, service documentation, and Medicaid billing systems

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Employment Services Program ManagerRequirements: Bachelor's degree in vocational rehabilitation, special education, social work, or related field preferred; experience supporting individuals with disabilities; background check clearance

Role: Job Coach / Employment SpecialistRequirements: High school diploma or GED required; experience in job development and job coaching; CPR/First Aid certification recommended; background check clearance

All staff must complete:

Training on person-centered employment planning and Employment First principles
Confidentiality, abuse prevention, and workplace safety training
Medicaid HCBS services documentation and compliance training
Annual continuing education on best practices in employment support services

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Colorado Medicaid Waivers authorize Supported Employment Services:

Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver
Supported Living Services (SLS) Waiver
Brain Injury (BI) Waiver (for supported employment services as part of a broader rehabilitation plan)
Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) Waiver (in some cases, for younger adults)

Approved providers may deliver:

Individual Supported Employment
Group Supported Employment
Self-employment support and business development coaching (where authorized)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Initial Setup

Timeline: 2–3 weeks

Phase: HCPF Provider Enrollment and Readiness Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring, Training, and Service Model Development

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Medicaid Billing System Setup and MCO Contracting (if needed)

Timeline: 45–60 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF)

Website: https://hcpf.colorado.gov

Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

Website: https://dvr.colorado.gov

Colorado Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal (Gainwell Technologies)

Website: https://colorado-hcpf.portal.force.com/ProviderEnrollment/s/

Supported Employment Services in Colorado

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

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

Scope of Work: