SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN TEXAS

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO ACHIEVE COMPETITIVE, INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT THROUGH PERSON-CENTERED SUPPORTS

Supported Employment Services in Texas help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), behavioral health challenges, or physical disabilities obtain and maintain meaningful work in the community. These services are covered under 1915(c) Medicaid Waiver Programs such as HCS, CLASS, TxHmL, DBMD, and also supported through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) for employment-first efforts. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) oversees service authorization and compliance for waiver-based providers.

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1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)

Role: Administers Medicaid waiver employment services, issues provider approvals, and monitors service delivery.

Agency: Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)

Role: Coordinates vocational rehabilitation services that often complement waiver-funded employment supports.

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures compliance with HCBS waiver employment guidelines under federal Medicaid law.

2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OVERVIEW

Supported Employment helps individuals prepare for, obtain, and retain competitive jobs that pay at least minimum wage and are located in integrated community settings.

There are two primary components:

• Job Development:

  • Employment goal-setting

  • Resume and application support

  • Job search coaching

  • Interview preparation and advocacy

  • Employer engagement and accommodation consultation

• Job Coaching / Ongoing Supports:

  • On-site support and skill-building

  • Task analysis and prompts for job duties

  • Transportation training or support

  • Workplace social interaction coaching

  • Long-term follow-up to ensure job success and retention

All services must be linked to goals in the Person-Directed Plan (PDP) or Individual Plan of Care (IPC).

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Texas Secretary of State

• Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI

• Enroll with TMHP (Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership)

• Apply for HHSC waiver contracts (e.g., HCS, CLASS, TxHmL)

• Maintain general liability insurance and worker’s comp

• Partner with or be familiar with TWC vocational rehabilitation resources

• Develop a Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual

4. TEXAS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Register your agency and obtain EIN/NPI

Step 2: Enroll with TMHP as a waiver provider

Step 3: Apply for HHSC waiver contracts with Supported Employment as a listed service

Step 4: Submit staff qualifications, service flow procedures, and job coaching plan samples

Step 5: Complete readiness review and begin receiving participant authorizations

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• EIN, NPI, and business formation documents

• TMHP enrollment and HHSC waiver approval letters

• Insurance certificates

• Supported Employment Policy Manual including:

  • Employment assessment and goal planning procedures

  • Documentation for job development and coaching hours

  • Contact logs with employers and support coordinators

  • Participant rights, workplace safety, and ADA considerations

  • Incident reporting and quality assurance processes

  • Billing logs and service verification templates

  • HIPAA and employment confidentiality standards

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Employment Specialist / Job Coach

Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, relevant experience preferred, background check, CPR/First Aid

Role: Program Supervisor (optional)

Requirements: Knowledge of job development, behavioral supports, documentation standards

All staff must complete:

• Person-centered planning and employment-first training

• Employer engagement, ADA, and disability accommodation training

• Incident response, safety, and abuse prevention

• Medicaid service documentation and confidentiality compliance

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Supported Employment is an approved service under:

• HCS (Home and Community-based Services)

• CLASS (Community Living Assistance & Support Services)

• TxHmL (Texas Home Living)

• DBMD (Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities)

• YES Waiver – Through wraparound and transition-to-adulthood planning

Supported Employment may also be coordinated with TWC VR services for job placement support.

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation & Policy Manual Creation

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: TMHP Enrollment & HHSC Waiver Contracting

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Staff Onboarding & Readiness Prep

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Begin Service Delivery

Timeline: Upon participant authorization and PDP alignment

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)

Website: https://www.hhs.texas.gov

Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP)

Website: https://www.tmhp.com

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) – Vocational Rehabilitation

Website: https://www.twc.texas.gov

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Website: https://www.cms.gov

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

WCG partners with providers and community-based agencies to launch Supported Employment programs that align with Texas waiver goals.

Scope of Work:

• TMHP and HHSC enrollment support

• Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual

• Job coaching log templates and employer contact sheets

• Goal planning forms and PDP alignment trackers

• Staff onboarding and Medicaid billing tools

• ADA and workplace accommodation training resources

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.