TRAINING SERVICES PROVIDER IN FLORIDA

Fatumata Kaba
Jul 11
3 min read

BUILDING SKILLS, INDEPENDENCE, AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Training Services in Florida are designed to help individuals with disabilities develop, maintain, or improve skills necessary for living and working more independently in their homes and communities. These services are authorized under Florida’s Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs, promoting self-sufficiency, employment readiness, and personal growth.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)

Role: Manages service delivery for individuals with developmental disabilities under HCBS waivers

Agency: Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)

Role: Oversees Medicaid enrollment, reimbursement, and waiver compliance

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight ensuring Training Services meet HCBS person-centered service standards

2. TRAINING SERVICE OVERVIEW

Training Services are individualized instructional supports aimed at developing essential life and work skills for greater independence.

Approved providers may deliver:

Self-care and daily living skills training (e.g., personal hygiene, household management)
Money management and budgeting instruction
Communication and interpersonal skills development
Employment readiness and workplace behavior training
Community integration skills (e.g., public transportation use, accessing public services)
Health and safety skills training (e.g., recognizing danger, emergency procedures)

All services must be tied to specific goals in the participant’s person-centered support plan and promote measurable outcomes.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Complete the APD Provider Enrollment process
Maintain liability insurance coverage
Develop service delivery policies consistent with APD and Medicaid standards
Ensure staff qualifications meet APD competency and training requirements

4. APD PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Request Training Services provider application materials from the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)
Attend provider orientation sessions (highly recommended)

Application and Documentation Submission:

Submit proof of business registration, staffing plans, insurance policies, and service delivery description
Provide sample participant intake forms, curriculum outlines, and progress tracking methods
Submit background screenings and staff training documentation

Program Readiness Review:

APD reviews provider documentation for compliance with HCBS Training Service standards
May conduct interviews, training observations, or readiness assessments

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

Upon APD approval, complete Medicaid enrollment with the Florida Medicaid Provider Enrollment System
Select appropriate billing codes for Training Services under Florida HCBS waiver programs

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License (from Sunbiz)
IRS EIN confirmation
NPI confirmation
General liability insurance certificate
APD-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Participant intake, assessment, and individualized training goal development
- Training curriculum outlines and service delivery documentation procedures
- Incident reporting, emergency response, and health/safety protocols
- Client rights, confidentiality, and informed consent forms
- Staff credentialing, background screenings, and competency assessment logs
- Quality assurance plans and service documentation tracking
- Medicaid billing, authorization management, and compliance procedures

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Training Services Program Coordinator / Supervisor

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education, rehabilitation, social work, or related field preferred; experience providing training to individuals with disabilities; background screening clearance

Role: Direct Training Specialist / Trainer

Requirements: High school diploma or GED required; CPR/First Aid certification recommended; background screening clearance; experience or training in skill-building supports

All staff must complete:

APD Core Competency Training
Medicaid service documentation and compliance training
HIPAA confidentiality and participant rights training
Annual continuing education and skills development training

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Florida Medicaid Waivers authorize Training Services:

iBudget Florida Waiver (for individuals with developmental disabilities)
Long-Term Care (LTC) Waiver (for adults needing assistance with independent living skills)

Approved providers may deliver:

One-on-one or small group instructional supports
Employment readiness training
Independent living skills training
Community navigation and social skills development

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Staff Hiring

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: APD Provider Application and Readiness Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Training and Service Curriculum Development

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and Billing System Setup

Timeline: 45–60 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)

Website: https://apd.myflorida.com/

Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)

Website: https://ahca.myflorida.com/

Florida Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal

Website: https://home.flmedicaidmanagedcare.com/

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — FLORIDA TRAINING SERVICES PROVIDER

WCG helps education providers, disability service agencies, and entrepreneurs launch Medicaid-compliant Training Services under Florida’s HCBS Waiver programs.

Scope of Work: