SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN INDIANA

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS TO ACHIEVE COMPETITIVE, INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT

Supported Employment Services in Indiana assist individuals with disabilities or significant barriers to work by providing customized job development, placement, and on-the-job support. These services are authorized under Indiana Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs, the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS), and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) initiatives, promoting independence and long-term success in community-based employment.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) — Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) and Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS)

Role: Oversees Supported Employment programs, provider enrollment, participant protections, service standards, and employment outcome tracking

Agency: Indiana Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning (OMPP)

Role: Administers Medicaid waiver funding for Supported Employment Services and manages provider reimbursement and billing compliance

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight, ensuring Supported Employment Services meet HCBS Settings Rule, competitive integrated employment requirements, and participant-centered standards

2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OVERVIEW

Supported Employment Services provide individualized assistance to help participants prepare for, obtain, and maintain meaningful employment in community settings at competitive wages.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Discovery and Career Planning: Assessing interests, strengths, and career goals

• Job Development: Resume building, application assistance, and job search support

• Job Placement: Matching participants to employment opportunities

• On-the-Job Training and Coaching: Teaching job tasks, promoting independence, and supporting workplace adjustments

• Job Retention Services: Ongoing support to help participants sustain employment and advance professionally

• Self-Employment Support: Assisting participants who wish to start and manage their own businesses

• Career Advancement Planning: Helping participants pursue raises, promotions, and professional development

All services must be tied to the participant’s Individualized Support Plan (ISP) or Vocational Rehabilitation Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), emphasizing movement toward independence in employment.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business entity with the Indiana Secretary of State

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

• Enroll as a Medicaid Waiver provider through the Indiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal

• Meet Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Employment Services Provider Standards (if working with VR clients)

• Maintain general liability and professional liability insurance

• Develop comprehensive policies for employment services, participant safety, rights protections, emergency response, and service documentation

• Ensure staff meet background checks, credentialing, and employment support training standards

4. INDIANA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Submit Provider Enrollment Application through the Indiana Medicaid Provider Portal for Supported Employment Services

Application and Documentation Submission:

• Submit Articles of Incorporation, EIN/NPI confirmation, liability insurance certificates, operational policies, staff credentialing records, and service protocols

Program Readiness Review:

• FSSA (DDRS) and/or Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR) review service delivery models, staff qualifications, participant-centered service planning practices, and billing readiness

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Upon approval, providers are assigned billing codes for discovery, job development, job coaching, retention services, and career advancement activities

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

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

• IRS EIN confirmation

• NPI confirmation

• Proof of general liability and professional liability insurance

• Supported Employment Services Policy & Procedure Manual, including:

  • Participant intake, career exploration, and employment goal development procedures

  • Job development, placement, and coaching protocols

  • Participant rights protections, HIPAA compliance, and grievance procedures

  • Critical incident reporting and emergency procedures

  • Staff credentialing, background screening, training documentation, and competency validations

  • Medicaid billing, service documentation, and audit readiness protocols

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Supported Employment Program Supervisor / Manager

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

Role: Employment Specialists / Job Coaches

Requirements: High school diploma or GED minimum (bachelor’s degree preferred); experience in employment supports for individuals with disabilities; background clearance; training in person-centered planning and employment support strategies

All staff must complete:

• Person-centered employment planning and HCBS Settings Rule training

• Job coaching and employer engagement training

• Abuse prevention, HIPAA compliance, and participant rights training

• Emergency response and workplace safety training

• Annual competency evaluations and continuing education in employment support services

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Supported Employment Services are available under the following Indiana Medicaid waivers:

• Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) Waiver

• Family Supports Waiver (FSW)

Approved providers may deliver:

• Discovery and career planning services

• Job development and placement support

• Job coaching during onboarding and beyond

• Career advancement planning for long-term employment success

• Time-limited and ongoing follow-along support to promote independence

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation, Compliance Preparation, and Staffing Setup

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Service Planning Development

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Indiana Medicaid Enrollment and Readiness Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Medicaid Billing Setup and Supported Employment Service Launch

Timeline: 30–45 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) — Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS)

Website: https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/

Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR)

Website: https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/vocational-rehabilitation-services/

Indiana Medicaid Provider Portal

Website: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/providers/

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

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

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

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

Scope of Work:

• Business registration, Medicaid enrollment, and VR credentialing guidance

• Development of Supported Employment Services Policy & Procedure Manual

• Staff credentialing templates, participant intake forms, job development tracking forms, and job coaching documentation tools

• Medicaid billing system setup and audit-ready claims management

• Website, domain, and professional branding support

• Employment readiness curriculum templates and employer engagement strategies

• Quality assurance systems for employment outcome tracking, service satisfaction surveys, and participant rights protections

• Partnership development with employers, workforce development boards, and community service organizations

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