SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN OHIO

Fatumata Kaba
Sep 17
3 min read

HELPING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES SUCCEED IN COMPETITIVE, INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT

Supported Employment Services in Ohio assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) or other qualifying conditions in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining paid employment within their communities. Services are designed to promote independence, self-sufficiency, and social inclusion through personalized, long-term job support. Supported Employment Services are authorized under Ohio’s Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD)

Role: Oversees certification and delivery of Supported Employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Agency: Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM)

Role: Administers Medicaid reimbursement, waiver eligibility, and billing for employment services.

Agency: Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)

Role: May fund pre-employment services and short-term job supports before Medicaid waiver services begin.

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)**

Role: Provides federal oversight to ensure waiver-funded employment services meet HCBS requirements.

2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OVERVIEW

Supported Employment Services help individuals with disabilities engage in meaningful work and earn competitive wages in inclusive settings. Services are person-centered and aligned with the individual’s strengths and interests.

Approved providers may deliver:

Job Development: Helping individuals explore career goals and identify job opportunities.
Job Coaching: Providing one-on-one assistance during the onboarding process.
On-the-Job Support: Continued support and skill reinforcement while the person is employed.
Workplace Accommodation Assistance: Coordinating assistive technology or modified tasks.
Transportation Coordination: Assisting with travel arrangements to and from the job.
Job Retention Services: Monitoring performance, problem-solving, and employer communication.
Benefits Counseling: Helping individuals understand how income affects SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid.
Career Advancement Planning: Supporting long-term job growth, training, and promotion.
Documentation: Tracking hours worked, progress, coaching hours, and employer feedback.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register the business with the Ohio Secretary of State.
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2).
Enroll and become certified through the DODD Provider Certification Wizard.
Maintain general liability and professional liability insurance.
Develop written policies for person-centered employment planning, job coaching, and transportation safety.
Ensure staff complete required DODD employment support training, background checks, and job coaching certifications.

4. OHIO PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Application:

Apply through the DODD Provider Certification Portal and select “Supported Employment – Individual” and/or “Group” as service types.

Submit Documentation:

Articles of incorporation, insurance, staff credentials, training logs, job descriptions, and policy manuals.

Compliance Review:

DODD reviews documentation and may conduct interviews to determine provider readiness.

Approval and Medicaid Billing:

After certification, providers are authorized to bill Medicaid for Supported Employment services under DODD waivers.

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License
IRS EIN Confirmation
NPI Registration
Liability and Worker’s Comp Insurance Certificates
Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Career planning and job development procedures
- Job coaching protocols and safety planning
- Transportation and travel coordination guidelines
- Staff training, credentialing, and background check logs
- HIPAA compliance and participant rights documentation
- Documentation standards for Medicaid billing
- Quality assurance and employer engagement plans