SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN RHODE ISLAND

Fatumata Kaba
Oct 9
3 min read

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO ACHIEVE MEANINGFUL WORK AND INDEPENDENCE THROUGH CUSTOMIZED EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

Supported Employment Services in Rhode Island provide individualized, ongoing supports to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) prepare for, obtain, and maintain paid employment in integrated community settings. These Medicaid-funded services are authorized under Rhode Island’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) 1115 Waiver and are managed by the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH) in partnership with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS).

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)

Role: Oversees Medicaid waiver structure and provider enrollment for employment supports.

Agency: Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH)

Role: Authorizes supported employment services for participants with IDD and ensures compliance with Employment First goals.

Agency: Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS)**

Role: May provide pre-employment services and funding coordination with Medicaid.

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

Role: Ensures HCBS employment services meet federal guidelines under the Final Settings Rule.

2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OVERVIEW

These services are designed to help individuals with disabilities find and succeed in competitive, integrated employment based on their strengths, preferences, and career goals.

Approved providers may deliver:

Career Planning & Discovery: Person-centered assessments to identify interests and work preferences.
Job Development: Resume preparation, job searches, application assistance, and employer outreach.
Job Coaching: On-the-job support and skill-building to promote independence.
Workplace Accommodations: Coordination with employers to ensure accessible and supportive environments.
Follow-Along Support: Ongoing check-ins and adjustments to maintain employment over time.
Self-Employment Support (if authorized): Business planning and support for microenterprises.
Documentation: Individualized Employment Plans (IEPs), progress notes, and outcome reporting.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
Obtain an EIN and Type 2 NPI.
Enroll with BHDDH as an IDD Employment Services Provider.
Submit staffing plan, policy manual, and employment support model.
Contract with Medicaid through the RI provider portal.
Maintain general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
Develop a Supported Employment Services Policy & Procedure Manual that outlines career planning, service delivery, and documentation standards.

4. RHODE ISLAND PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Form legal entity and obtain EIN, NPI, and insurance.

Step 2: Apply to BHDDH for employment provider approval.

Step 3: Submit program design, service locations, and staff qualifications.

Step 4: Enroll with RI Medicaid and secure service authorizations.

Step 5: Begin receiving participant referrals and provide job support services.

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation and registration
EIN and NPI confirmation
Insurance certificates
BHDDH provider approval confirmation
Supported Employment Services Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Career discovery, vocational assessments, and employer engagement plans
- Job coaching logs and follow-up documentation
- Participant rights, safety protocols, and privacy policies
- Crisis prevention and workplace incident response plans
- Medicaid billing forms and outcome reporting templates
- Annual satisfaction surveys and quality assurance procedures

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Employment Specialist / Job Coach

Requirements: Background check, experience with vocational support, CPR/First Aid, and BHDDH-approved employment services training.

Role: Employment Services Supervisor

Requirements: Knowledge of ADA, workforce development, Medicaid service documentation, and staff management.

All staff must complete:

HCBS Settings Rule and Employment First training
Person-centered planning and ISP implementation
Community safety, transportation protocols, and workplace etiquette training
Documentation and HIPAA compliance
Crisis de-escalation and professional boundaries education

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Supported Employment Services are authorized under:

BHDDH IDD Waivers (Community Living Arrangement, Shared Living, Self-Directed): Core waiver funding for employment supports.
1115 Global Waiver: Allows integrated funding models for employment-first initiatives.
Self-Directed Supports: Individuals may select and contract with approved employment providers.
ORS Partnership Funding: May be braided with Medicaid supports for pre-vocational and initial job placement phases.

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation & Manual Development

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: BHDDH Employment Services Application

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment & Staff Training

Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Participant Referrals & Job Matching

Timeline: Begins after approval and ISP authorization

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)

Website: https://eohhs.ri.gov