SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN GEORGIA

Fatumata Kaba
3 days ago
4 min read

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO ACHIEVE MEANINGFUL, COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

Supported Employment Services in Georgia assist individuals with disabilities in preparing for, securing, and maintaining competitive integrated employment. These services are authorized under Georgia’s Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs, promoting independence, self-sufficiency, and full participation in the workforce.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)

Role: Administers Supported Employment Services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through the NOW and COMP waivers

Agency: Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)

Role: Oversees Medicaid enrollment, service authorization, and reimbursement for Supported Employment Services

Agency: Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)

Role: Provides additional employment-related supports through pre-vocational training and job placement services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight, ensuring employment services meet Medicaid HCBS person-centered and community integration requirements

2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OVERVIEW

Supported Employment Services assist individuals with disabilities in identifying, obtaining, and maintaining competitive employment in the general workforce.

Approved providers may deliver:

Career exploration and vocational assessment
Job development and placement services
Job coaching and on-the-job skills training
Ongoing support to maintain employment
Self-employment support and business start-up assistance (where applicable)
Workplace advocacy and accommodation assistance
Soft skills training (e.g., communication, problem-solving, time management)

All services must be individualized based on the participant’s strengths, preferences, goals, and needs outlined in their Individualized Service Plan (ISP) or Vocational Profile.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Georgia Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Enroll as a Medicaid provider through the Georgia Medicaid Management Information System (GAMMIS)
Complete DBHDD Provider Enrollment for Supported Employment Services
Maintain general liability and professional liability insurance
Develop policies for employment planning, workplace integration, documentation, and participant rights
(Optional but highly recommended) Become a provider with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)

4. DBHDD/DCH PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Submit a Letter of Intent to DBHDD for Supported Employment Services
Complete pre-qualification checklist including business formation documents, insurance, and staffing plans

Application and Documentation Submission:

Submit Articles of Incorporation, proof of EIN/NPI, organizational structure, and staff credentialing documents
Provide sample employment support plans, job coaching protocols, and progress monitoring templates

Program Readiness Review:

DBHDD reviews provider readiness including systems for job development, coaching, data tracking, and Medicaid compliance

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

After DBHDD approval, complete Medicaid enrollment through GAMMIS
Configure billing codes specific to Supported Employment (e.g., job development, intensive support, ongoing monitoring)

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Georgia Secretary of State)
IRS EIN confirmation
NPI confirmation
Proof of general and professional liability insurance
DBHDD-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Participant intake, vocational assessment, and service planning
- Job development, placement, and job coaching protocols
- Documentation of participant progress and employment outcomes
- HIPAA confidentiality, participant rights, and grievance procedures
- Staff credentialing, background screening, and training documentation
- Medicaid billing, service authorization tracking, and quality assurance systems

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Supported Employment Services Manager / Employment Specialist Supervisor

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in vocational rehabilitation, human services, education, or a related field preferred; experience in employment services; background screening clearance

Role: Employment Specialists / Job Coaches

Requirements: High school diploma or GED minimum; training in supported employment models recommended (e.g., Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) certification); background screening clearance

All staff must complete:

Person-centered employment planning training
Disability awareness and accommodation training
Workplace safety, advocacy, and communication training
HIPAA confidentiality, abuse prevention, and participant rights training
Annual continuing education in employment services best practices

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Georgia Medicaid Waivers authorize Supported Employment Services:

Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP)
New Options Waiver Program (NOW)

Approved providers may deliver:

Discovery and vocational profiling services
Job development and placement support
Intensive on-the-job coaching and training
Ongoing follow-up services to sustain employment
Self-employment and small business development support (if specified)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Initial Credentialing Setup

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: DBHDD Provider Application and Readiness Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Program Development

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and Billing System Setup

Timeline: 45–60 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)

Website: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/

Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)

Website: https://dch.georgia.gov/

Georgia Medicaid Management Information System (GAMMIS)

Website: https://www.mmis.georgia.gov/

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)

Website: https://gvs.georgia.gov/

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN GEORGIA

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

WCG supports employment agencies, community service organizations, and rehabilitation providers in launching Medicaid-compliant Supported Employment Services under Georgia’s HCBS waiver programs.

Scope of Work: