SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN MISSISSIPPI
- Fatumata Kaba
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO GAIN AND MAINTAIN MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT
Supported Employment Services in Mississippi help individuals with disabilities find, secure, and maintain competitive employment. These services, offered through Mississippi’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers and vocational rehabilitation programs, support individuals with job coaching, skills training, and ongoing employment support.
1. GOVERNING AGENCIES
Agency: Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS)
Role: Administers vocational rehabilitation and supported employment programs
Agency: Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM)
Role: Administers Medicaid and HCBS Waiver programs, including funding for supported employment services
Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight and ensures waiver compliance
2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OVERVIEW
Supported Employment Services focus on helping individuals with disabilities achieve and sustain meaningful employment. Services are individualized according to the Person-Centered Plan (PCP) or Individual Program Plan (IPP) and may include:
Job development and placement
On-the-job coaching and training
Job retention support and follow-up
Career planning and skills assessment
Workplace accommodations and support
Soft skills training and interview preparation
3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites:
Register your business with the Mississippi Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Enroll as a Medicaid provider with the Mississippi Division of Medicaid
Become an approved vendor with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS)
Maintain liability insurance and staff training documentation
4. MEDICAID PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Step 1: Pre-Application Contact
Contact MDRS to understand the supported employment provider requirements
Step 2: Application Submission
Submit business registration, liability insurance, service descriptions, and staff qualifications
Step 3: License Verification
Ensure proper certification for job coaching and vocational training
Step 4: Approval and Medicaid Number Assignment
Once approved, receive a Medicaid provider number and authorization to provide services
5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Articles of Incorporation or Business Name Registration
IRS EIN Letter
NPI confirmation
MDRS vendor approval
Liability insurance certificate
Policy & procedure manual including:
Job development protocols
Staff training and supervision logs
Individual employment plans and progress tracking
Client intake forms and service agreements
Documentation of job coaching sessions and follow-ups
6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
Role: Supported Employment Program Manager
Requirements: Experience in vocational rehabilitation, job coaching, or disability services
Role: Job Coach / Employment Specialist
Requirements:
Background in workforce development or social services
CPR/First Aid certification
Background check and TB clearance
Training Requirements:
Vocational assessment and job coaching techniques
Soft skills development and employer engagement
Safety protocols and client rights training
Annual refreshers on ethics and job retention strategies
7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES
Supported Employment Services in Mississippi are available through:
1915(c) HCBS Waiver for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Independent Living Waiver
Traumatic Brain Injury/Spinal Cord Injury Waiver
Approved providers may deliver:
Job development and ongoing support
Workplace accommodations and training
Assistance with job retention and performance improvement
8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH
Phase: Business Formation
Timeline: 1–2 weeks
Phase: Medicaid Provider Enrollment
Timeline: 60–90 days
Phase: Staff Hiring and Training
Timeline: 30–45 days
Phase: Program Development and Employer Outreach
Timeline: 2–4 weeks
9. CONTACT INFORMATION
Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM)
Website: https://medicaid.ms.gov
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS)
Website: https://www.mdrs.ms.gov

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — MISSISSIPPI SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER
We support agencies and entrepreneurs in launching compliant Supported Employment Services across Mississippi under the HCBS Waiver and MDRS models.
Scope of Work:
Business registration and licensing assistance
Medicaid provider enrollment
Policy & procedure manual for supported employment operations
Templates for job coaching plans and client progress tracking
Website, domain, and email setup
Staff credentialing and training documentation
Client intake packet and employment assessment forms
Employer networking and outreach strategies
Risk management and incident reporting systems
Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements.
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