SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN SOUTH DAKOTA

PROMOTING COMPETITIVE, INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED JOB SUPPORT AND COACHING

Supported Employment Services in South Dakota help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) gain and maintain meaningful employment in the community. These services are authorized under the CHOICES Waiver, administered by the South Dakota Department of Human Services (DHS), and focus on person-centered employment planning, job coaching, and long-term support in competitive work environments.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: South Dakota Department of Human Services (DHS) – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

Role: Approves and monitors providers under the CHOICES Waiver, ensuring services align with Employment First principles.

Agency: South Dakota Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)**

Role: Coordinates pre-employment services and may fund initial job placement before waiver-funded supports begin.

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

Role: Oversees HCBS compliance and ensures employment is the primary goal of adult waiver services.

2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OVERVIEW

Supported Employment Services assist individuals with disabilities in preparing for, finding, and keeping a paid job in the community. Services are tailored to individual goals and may be provided on-site at the job location or through community-based coaching.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Job Development & Placement Assistance

• On-the-Job Coaching and Training

• Job Task Adaptation and Skill Development

• Employment Goal Planning & Career Counseling

• Social Skills and Communication Support

• Coordination with Employers and Co-Workers

• Follow-Along Services to Ensure Long-Term Success

• Documentation of Progress and Outcomes

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register your business with the South Dakota Secretary of State

• Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI

• Apply to DHS-DDD as a CHOICES Waiver Supported Employment provider

• Establish community partnerships and employer contacts

• Develop a Supported Employment Services Policy & Procedure Manual

• Obtain liability and workers’ compensation insurance

• Prepare service tracking tools and documentation systems

4. SOUTH DAKOTA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Establish business entity and secure EIN/NPI

Step 2: Apply to DHS-DDD with employment program outline and staffing plan

Step 3: Submit sample forms, documentation, and participant tracking templates

Step 4: Complete provider readiness review

Step 5: Start service delivery with approved participants and ISPs

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• EIN, NPI, and business registration

• Insurance certificates (liability, workers’ comp, and auto if applicable)

• Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual including:

  • Intake and employment planning forms

  • Job coaching documentation and follow-up visit notes

  • Employer communication templates

  • Participant satisfaction and goal tracking

  • Risk mitigation, emergency response, and confidentiality policies

  • Billing and service verification records

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Employment Specialist / Job Coach

Requirements:

• High school diploma or higher; experience in vocational training or disability employment services

• Background check, CPR/First Aid, and job coaching training

• Understanding of DDD goals and Employment First practices

Role: Employment Program Coordinator (Recommended)

Requirements: Supervises job coaches, develops community employment relationships, oversees compliance

All staff must complete:

• HIPAA and participant rights training

• Workplace safety and employer communication skills

• Documentation and ISP alignment protocols

• Annual training and competency assessments

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Supported Employment Services are available through:

• CHOICES Waiver – For adults with IDD seeking employment

• Can coordinate with:

  • Pre-Vocational Services (prior to placement)

  • Day Habilitation (for non-work days)

  • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (for initial job placement, before waiver billing begins)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation & Manual Development

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: DHS-DDD Enrollment & Readiness

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Staff Training & Employer Engagement

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Participant Match & Job Placement

Timeline: Ongoing as referrals are received

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

South Dakota Department of Human Services – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

Website: https://dhs.sd.gov

South Dakota Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)

Website: https://dhs.sd.gov/rehabservices.aspx

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Website: https://www.cms.gov

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

WCG helps providers launch compliant, person-centered employment programs that match individuals with meaningful jobs and promote long-term work success.

Scope of Work:

• Provider enrollment and CHOICES Waiver navigation

• Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual creation

• Job coaching documentation and employer outreach templates

• Goal tracking forms and progress reports

• Staff training checklists and evaluation tools

• Billing records and quality assurance systems

Continue To Our Client Portal To Get Started

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