SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER IN WISCONSIN

Fatumata Kaba
Apr 14
3 min read

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN COMPETITIVE, INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

Supported Employment Services in Wisconsin help individuals with disabilities find, secure, and retain meaningful employment in inclusive settings. Services are designed to promote independence, self-sufficiency, and full participation in the workforce, with personalized support ranging from job readiness to long-term job coaching.

These services are reimbursed under Wisconsin’s Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, including IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct), Family Care, Family Care Partnership, and the Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver. Oversight is provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), with authorization managed by IRIS Consultant Agencies (ICAs) and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs).

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1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)

Role: Administers waiver programs and sets guidelines for service delivery.

Agency: IRIS Consultant Agencies / Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)

Role: Authorize services, enroll providers, and oversee participant outcomes.

Agency: ForwardHealth

Role: Medicaid provider enrollment and payment processing (for State Plan-covered supports).

2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OVERVIEW

Supported Employment includes a continuum of services tailored to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving employment goals in competitive, integrated environments.

Covered services may include:

Career Planning & Discovery – Identifying interests, skills, and job goals
Job Development & Placement – Resume building, applications, interviews
Job Coaching – On-site support to learn tasks, adapt to the work environment
Job Retention – Ongoing check-ins, employer communication, skill building
Self-Employment Support – Guidance on starting microbusinesses or freelance work
Workplace Soft Skills Training – Communication, time management, teamwork

Services must be individualized, outcome-oriented, and documented in the participant’s Individual Service Plan (ISP) or IRIS Support and Service Plan (SSP).

3. PROVIDER APPROVAL & QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI)
Obtain a Federal EIN and Type 2 NPI (if applicable)
Enroll with IRIS Fiscal Employer Agents (FEAs) and/or MCO provider networks
Create a Supported Employment Services Policy & Procedure Manual
Ensure staff have experience in job development, disability support, or workforce coaching

4. WISCONSIN PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Register business and obtain EIN/NPI

Step 2: Apply to serve IRIS or Family Care participants through relevant ICA or MCO

Step 3: Submit documentation of experience, staff resumes, and service policies

Step 4: If billing Medicaid directly, enroll via ForwardHealth

Step 5: Complete orientation or background checks as required

Step 6: Begin services upon plan approval and participant referral

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Business registration and provider approval letters
Supported Employment P&P Manual, including:
- Intake assessments and discovery tools
- Progress note templates and outcome tracking forms
- Employer communication and accommodation logs
- Health and safety policies for job sites
- Confidentiality, HIPAA, and abuse prevention protocols
- Participant rights and grievance processes
- Billing records and service verification logs

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Employment Specialist / Job Coach

Requirements:

High school diploma or higher (Bachelor’s preferred for vocational roles)
Experience in workforce development, disability services, or behavioral support
Background check compliant with Wisconsin’s Caregiver Law
Person-centered and culturally competent care training

All staff must complete:

HIPAA and documentation training
Employment planning and workplace safety training
Abuse/neglect prevention and de-escalation (if applicable)
Annual evaluation of service effectiveness and client outcomes

7. MEDICAID WAIVERS THAT COVER SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT

IRIS (Self-Directed Waiver Program) – Services purchased through participant-directed budgets
Family Care / Family Care Partnership – MCO-authorized employment supports
Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver – For transition-age youth (typically 14+)
Children’s Community Options Program (CCOP) – Non-waiver employment readiness supports

Note: Services must be authorized and documented in the ISP/SSP. Participation in pre-vocational or volunteer services does not replace employment support under these programs.

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration & Program Design

Timeline: 2–3 weeks

Phase: ICA / MCO Enrollment & Staff Onboarding

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Documentation Setup & Referral Readiness

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Service Launch

Timeline: Begins upon participant plan approval and assignment

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

DHS Division of Long-Term Care

Website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/long-term-care-support.htm