SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN LOUISIANA

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO FIND, OBTAIN, AND MAINTAIN COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT

Supported Employment Services in Louisiana help individuals with disabilities achieve meaningful employment through personalized job development, on-the-job training, and ongoing support. These services are authorized under various Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers and coordinated with the Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) to ensure participants work in inclusive, community-based settings.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) — Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD)

Role: Defines supported employment service standards for waiver participants and monitors provider compliance

Agency: Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), under the Louisiana Workforce Commission

Role: Provides pre-employment transition services, vocational evaluations, and initial job development before long-term waiver-based employment services begin

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures HCBS waiver-supported employment complies with federal person-centered planning and community integration requirements

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) under Bayou Health

Role: May coordinate or reimburse employment supports, depending on the waiver and participant's plan of care

2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OVERVIEW

Supported Employment includes individualized supports that help people with disabilities:

• Obtain and sustain competitive, integrated employment

• Learn job tasks and workplace expectations

• Build social and workplace communication skills

• Receive long-term follow-along support as needed

Approved services may include:

• Person-centered career planning

• Job development and employer negotiation

• On-site job coaching and task training

• Transportation coordination to and from work

• Ongoing follow-up, advocacy, and workplace problem-solving

• Documentation of goals, hours worked, and job outcomes

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register your business with the Louisiana Secretary of State

• Obtain IRS EIN and Type 2 NPI

• Enroll with Louisiana Medicaid via the Provider Enrollment Portal

• Become an OCDD-approved Supported Employment Provider

• Establish a written agreement or process with LRS for referral collaboration

• Maintain liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage

• Employ qualified Employment Specialists or Job Coaches

• Develop a Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual

• Ensure HIPAA-compliant documentation systems

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid and Waiver Enrollment

• Apply through https://www.lamedicaid.com as a waiver service provider

• Specify "Supported Employment Services" under HCBS options

Step 2: OCDD Program Approval

• Submit staff qualifications, training plans, and sample service documentation

• Complete provider orientation or training sessions (if required by LDH)

Step 3: Establish LRS Collaboration

• Coordinate with LRS for participant referrals and transition from short-term to waiver-funded services

Step 4: Service Delivery

• Receive referrals from support coordinators

• Provide job search, placement, and follow-up services

• Track employment outcomes and submit documentation for billing

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or sole proprietorship filing

• IRS EIN and NPI confirmation

• OCDD or waiver program approval

• Certificates of liability and workers’ comp insurance

• Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual, including:

  • Person-centered employment planning templates

  • Job development and employer contact logs

  • Daily job coaching notes and follow-up tracking

  • Participant rights and informed consent forms

  • Critical incident and workplace safety protocols

  • Staff training logs and certification records

  • Medicaid billing logs and wage documentation

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Employment Specialist / Job Coach

Requirements: High school diploma (minimum), Bachelor's in rehabilitation, education, or social work preferred; at least 1 year of experience in vocational services; background check; CPR/First Aid training (recommended)

Role: Program Manager / Supervisor

Requirements: 2–3 years of employment support experience; responsible for compliance, service quality, and staff supervision

Training Requirements for All Staff:

• HIPAA and confidentiality

• Workplace accommodations and ADA awareness

• Supported employment best practices and documentation

• Positive behavior supports and soft skill training

• Safety, transportation planning, and emergency procedures

7. MEDICAID WAIVER & VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Supported Employment is reimbursed under:

• Residential Options Waiver (ROW)

• Supports Waiver

• New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)

• Children’s Choice Waiver (limited employment supports)

• Money Follows the Person (MFP) for transitional work support

Additional coordination may occur with:

• Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) — short-term job placement and vocational readiness

• Employment First Initiative — promoting integrated work for all waiver-eligible adults

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration and Initial Training

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and OCDD Approval

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring and Documentation Setup

Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: Participant Referrals and Job Matching

Timeline: Ongoing, based on waiver caseloads and employer availability

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal

Website: https://www.lamedicaid.com

Louisiana Department of Health — OCDD Supported Employment Services

Website: https://ldh.la.gov/page/121

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS)

Website: https://www.laworks.net/WorkforceDev/LRS/LRS_ProgramInfo.asp

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Website: https://www.medicaid.gov

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

We assist disability service agencies, employment coaches, and community rehab providers in launching Medicaid-compliant Supported Employment programs throughout Louisiana.

Scope of Work:

• Business registration, Medicaid, and waiver enrollment

• Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual development

• Intake forms, job placement templates, and coaching logs

• Wage documentation, outcome tracking, and audit support

• Staff training modules and supervision trackers

• Employer engagement tools and referral networking with LRS and OCDD

Continue To Our Client Portal To Get Started

Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements.