SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN KENTUCKY

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE THROUGH MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT

Supported Employment Services in Kentucky help individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (ID/DD) or brain injuries find, secure, and maintain competitive integrated employment. These services, covered under specific Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, promote workforce inclusion, skill development, and long-term job success with individualized supports.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) — Department for Medicaid Services (DMS)

Role: Administers Medicaid reimbursement, enrollment, and regulatory compliance for supported employment services

Agency: Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID)

Role: Provides oversight and quality assurance for service delivery under ID/DD and ABI waiver programs

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures person-centered employment practices and compliance with federal Medicaid HCBS requirements

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)

Role: Authorize supported employment services, manage claims, and ensure coordination with care teams

Agency: Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)

Role: Collaborates with providers for time-limited supports under the Employment First framework; services must be coordinated with OVR when available

2. SERVICE OVERVIEW

Supported Employment Services assist participants in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining jobs in community-based settings. Services are individualized and delivered in accordance with the participant’s Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) and must comply with Employment First principles.

Authorized services may include:

• Job exploration and career planning

• Job development and customized job matching

• On-the-job coaching and training

• Transportation coordination (to and from work)

• Workplace accommodations and natural supports for development

• Benefits counseling related to employment income

• Follow-along support to sustain long-term employment

• Coordination with employers and coworkers for inclusion

Services must lead to competitive, integrated employment, meaning the job must pay at least minimum wage, occur in a typical work environment, and offer the same access to coworkers and opportunities as workers without disabilities.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register your business with the Kentucky Secretary of State

• Obtain IRS EIN and Type 2 NPI

• Enroll as a Medicaid provider through the Medicaid Partner Portal Application (MPPA)

• Maintain liability and workers’ compensation insurance

• Obtain approval or credentialing from DBHDID (based on waiver)

• Hire or contract with qualified Employment Specialists or Job Coaches

• Develop a Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual

• Implement HIPAA-compliant documentation systems and service tracking tools

4. KENTUCKY PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid Enrollment via MPPA

• Apply under the relevant waiver(s) as a Supported Employment provider

• Complete MCO credentialing for participation in their provider network

Step 2: Documentation Submission

• Provide business license, liability insurance, service protocols, and staff credentials

• Submit a coordination plan with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (when required)

Step 3: Service Launch & Coordination

• Collaborate with waiver case managers and OVR counselors (if applicable)

• Obtain service authorization through MCO

• Begin job search support, placement services, and coaching as per PCSP

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Kentucky business license

• IRS EIN and NPI confirmation

• Insurance certificates (liability and workers’ comp)

• Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual, including:

  • Intake and employment readiness assessment forms

  • Job development and placement activity logs

  • Job coaching session documentation

  • PCSP-aligned goal tracking

  • Employer contact logs and natural support notes

  • Incident reporting and critical response protocols

  • Staff training records, background checks, and certifications

  • Medicaid billing templates and audit-ready documentation systems

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Employment Specialist / Job Coach

Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent (Bachelor’s preferred); experience in vocational rehabilitation, human services, or supported employment; cleared background check; valid driver’s license if providing transportation

Role (optional): Program Coordinator / Supervisor

Requirements: Oversees quality assurance, service tracking, and staff development

All staff must complete:

• Person-centered planning and employment-first training

• HIPAA and participant confidentiality training

• Abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention training

• Transportation safety and emergency preparedness (if transporting participants)

• Annual continuing education in workforce integration and disability employment practices

7. MEDICAID PROGRAMS & HCBS WAIVERS

Supported Employment Services are authorized under:

• Supports for Community Living (SCL) Waiver

• Michelle P. Waiver (MPW)

• Acquired Brain Injury (ABI & ABI-LTC) Waivers

Service delivery settings include:

• Participant’s home (for career planning)

• Community-based job sites

• Workplaces and employer offices

• Vocational training sites

• Virtual sessions (when permitted for planning or follow-along)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration and Program Manual Development

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: MPPA Enrollment and MCO Credentialing

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Staff Onboarding and Employer Outreach

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Service Launch and PCSP Coordination

Timeline: Ongoing based on referrals and authorizations

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services (DMS)

Website: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms

Medicaid Provider Enrollment (MPPA):https://mppa.ky.gov

Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID)

Website: https://dbhdid.ky.gov

Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)

Website: https://kcc.ky.gov/Vocational-Rehabilitation

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

WCG helps employment-focused providers, disability agencies, and workforce development programs launch Medicaid-compliant Supported Employment Services across Kentucky.

Scope of Work:

• MPPA enrollment and MCO credentialing for supported employment

• Development of Policy & Procedure Manual aligned with employment-first principles

• Staff training tools, intake forms, and employer outreach templates

• Billing setup for job development, coaching, and follow-along support

• Coordination protocols with OVR and waiver case managers

• Website and branding tools for participant and referral outreach

Continue To Our Client Portal To Get Started

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