SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN ILLINOIS

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENT, COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT WITH PERSONALIZED SUPPORT

Supported Employment Services in Illinois assist individuals with disabilities or significant barriers to work by providing individualized job development, placement, and coaching services to help them succeed in competitive, integrated employment settings. These services are authorized under Illinois Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs and the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) employment initiatives.

​​​​1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) — Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

Role: Oversees Supported Employment program operations, provider certification, service authorizations, and performance monitoring

Agency: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)

Role: Administers Medicaid waiver funding for Supported Employment Services and manages provider enrollment and billing systems

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight, ensuring Medicaid-funded Supported Employment Services align with HCBS Settings Rule, person-centered planning, and competitive integrated employment standards

2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OVERVIEW

Supported Employment Services assist participants with obtaining and maintaining meaningful work in competitive or customized employment settings through individualized support.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Job development: Assessing interests and skills, creating resumes, completing applications, preparing for interviews

• Job placement: Matching participants to appropriate employment opportunities in the community

• On-the-job training and coaching: Providing direct support at the worksite to help participants learn job tasks and adjust to work environments

• Job retention services: Ongoing support to sustain employment, including employer communication and accommodation assistance

• Self-employment support: Assisting individuals interested in starting their own businesses

• Career advancement planning: Helping participants explore promotions, raises, or additional job skills training

Services must be directed by the participant’s Person-Centered Plan (PCP) and Employment Plan, with measurable goals and timeframes promoting independence and reduced reliance on paid supports.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business entity with the Illinois Secretary of State

• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)

• Enroll as a Medicaid Waiver provider through the Illinois Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal (IMPACT system)

• Obtain DRS or DDD provider certification for Supported Employment Services

• Maintain general liability insurance and, if applicable, vehicle insurance for transporting participants

• Develop policies for employment assessment, job coaching, participant safety, and documentation

• Ensure all staff meet background screening, disability support, and employment services training requirements

4. ILLINOIS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Submit Provider Enrollment Application through the IMPACT system for Supported Employment Services under the appropriate waiver programs

Application and Documentation Submission:

• Provide Articles of Incorporation, proof of EIN/NPI, insurance certificates, program policies, staff credentialing, and training documentation

Program Readiness Review:

• DHS reviews provider readiness, including employment service models, staff qualifications, health and safety standards, participant rights protections, and Medicaid billing procedures

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Upon approval, providers are assigned billing codes for job development, placement, coaching, and retention supports

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Illinois Secretary of State)

• IRS EIN confirmation

• NPI confirmation

• Proof of general liability insurance (and vehicle insurance if transporting participants)

• Supported Employment Services Policy & Procedure Manual, including:

  • Participant intake, employment assessment, and career planning procedures

  • Job development, job placement, and on-the-job coaching protocols

  • Safety procedures for participants in workplace settings

  • Participant rights, grievance handling, and HIPAA confidentiality standards

  • Staff credentialing, background checks, and ongoing training documentation

  • Medicaid billing, documentation, and audit readiness procedures

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Supported Employment Program Manager

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in vocational rehabilitation, special education, human services, or a related field preferred; background clearance; experience in employment services for individuals with disabilities

Role: Employment Specialists / Job Coaches

Requirements: High school diploma or GED minimum; training in disability employment services, job development strategies, and workplace accommodations; background clearance

All staff must complete:

• HCBS Settings Rule and competitive integrated employment training

• Disability awareness and ADA compliance training

• Safety and participant protection training for community-based work

• Abuse prevention, HIPAA confidentiality, and rights advocacy training

• Annual competency evaluations and professional development in supported employment best practices

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Supported Employment Services are available under the following Illinois Medicaid Waivers:

• Adults with Developmental Disabilities Waiver

• Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities Waiver

• Persons with Brain Injury (BI) Waiver

Approved providers may deliver:

• Individualized job development and placement

• Time-limited and ongoing on-the-job supports

• Employment retention assistance

• Self-employment planning and support

• Career development and advancement services

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Medicaid Compliance Preparation

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Employment Program Development

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: IMPACT Medicaid Provider Enrollment and Readiness Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Medicaid Billing Setup and Supported Employment Services Launch

Timeline: 30–45 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) — Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)

Website: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29737

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)

Website: https://www.hfs.illinois.gov/

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Website: https://www.cms.gov/

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

WCG assists employment service agencies, vocational support providers, and community rehabilitation organizations in launching Medicaid-compliant Supported Employment Services across Illinois.

​​​​​​Scope of Work:

• Business registration, Medicaid enrollment, and DRS/DDD certification support

• Development of Supported Employment Services Policy & Procedure Manual

• Staff credentialing templates, participant intake forms, and employment plan templates

• Medicaid billing system setup and claims management assistance

• Website, domain, and professional branding setup

• Employer partnership development guides and job placement tracking systems

• Quality assurance programs for employment outcomes tracking and participant satisfaction

• Career advancement planning and competitive integrated employment compliance tools

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