SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN UTAH

Fatumata Kaba
10 hours ago
3 min read

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

Supported Employment Services in Utah are designed to help individuals with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities find and maintain meaningful work in the community. These services promote independence, community inclusion, and economic self-sufficiency by providing tailored job development, coaching, and retention supports.

Supported Employment is an authorized service under Utah’s HCBS Medicaid Waivers and is coordinated by the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD). Providers play a vital role in helping individuals secure competitive, integrated employment based on their skills, preferences, and goals.

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1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) – Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD)

Role: Manages HCBS waiver programs, contracts with employment providers, and authorizes Supported Employment services as part of Individual Support Plans (ISPs).

Agency: Utah Division of Integrated Healthcare (DIH)

Role: Oversees Medicaid provider enrollment and reimbursement processes for waiver services.

Agency: Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR)

Role: Collaborates with DSPD through joint planning and time-limited pre-employment supports via Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs.

2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OVERVIEW

Supported Employment helps individuals with disabilities:

Identify employment goals through discovery and career profiling
Develop job readiness and pre-employment skills
Obtain competitive employment in integrated settings
Receive job coaching and on-the-job supports
Maintain employment with long-term support as needed

Key service types include:

Job Development & Placement – Identifying potential employers, preparing résumés, and setting up interviews
Job Coaching – One-on-one support during onboarding and skill acquisition
Employment Retention Supports – Long-term strategies for job sustainability
Self-Employment Assistance – Support with microenterprise development (case-by-case basis)

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business entity with Utah Division of Corporations
Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI
Submit provider application through DSPD with relevant service codes
Maintain general liability insurance and background clearance protocols
Develop a comprehensive Supported Employment Services Policy & Procedure Manual
Enroll with Medicaid via the Utah Provider Enrollment Portal

4. UTAH PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Register your business and obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI

Step 2: Apply to become a DSPD provider for Supported Employment services

Step 3: Complete Medicaid enrollment via the DIH portal

Step 4: Complete staff credentialing and background checks

Step 5: Submit Policy & Procedure Manual for service approval

Step 6: Begin service delivery upon waiver authorization and ISP approval

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Business registration, EIN, and NPI confirmation
DSPD provider agreement for employment services
Medicaid enrollment confirmation
Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Job development process and documentation standards
- Job coaching protocols and staff supervision
- Individualized service planning and goal tracking
- Data collection, billing logs, and shift notes
- Client rights, grievances, and confidentiality practices
- Staff training plans for disability awareness and workplace integration

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Employment Specialist / Job Coach

Requirements:

High school diploma or GED (some contracts may require a college degree)
Background check clearance
Training in Supported Employment best practices (e.g., ACRE or APSE preferred)
CPR/First Aid training
Ongoing DSPD training and competency verification

Optional Role: Program Coordinator / Supervisor

Responsibilities: Oversight of service quality, staff support, and compliance

All staff must complete:

Annual refresher trainings
Client-centered planning and ISP participation
Workplace safety and emergency preparedness
HIPAA and confidentiality training

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Supported Employment is an allowable service under:

Community Supports Waiver (CSW): Primary waiver for adults with ID/DD
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver
Physical Disabilities Waiver (PDW) – On a limited basis
New Choices Waiver (NCW): For transitions from institutional care (when applicable)

All services must be included in the Individual Support Plan (ISP) and coordinated through a case manager.

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation & Policy Manual Creation

Timeline: 2–3 weeks

Phase: DSPD and Medicaid Enrollment

Timeline: 1–3 months

Phase: Staff Training & Credentialing

Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: Service Launch

Timeline: Begins upon DSPD approval and ISP authorization

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Utah Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD)