SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH STABLE, FAMILY-BASED LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

Family Habilitation Services in Alaska provide a supportive, structured home environment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who cannot live with their biological families or independently. Under Alaska’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waiver programs, individuals live with qualified provider families or extended relatives in community settings where they receive care, life skills training, and emotional support as part of daily family life.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Alaska Department of Health – Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS)
Role: Approves Family Habilitation providers, monitors home settings, and ensures services align with person-centered and HCBS standards

Agency: Alaska Medicaid (under the Department of Health)
Role: Manages provider enrollment and reimbursement for Family Habilitation Services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight and ensures compliance with HCBS guidelines, including community integration and least-restrictive living environments

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2. FAMILY HABILITATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Family Habilitation Services offer long-term, community-based care in a family home setting for individuals with developmental disabilities. The goal is to provide safe, stable housing with built-in support that fosters skill development, inclusion, and quality of life.

Approved providers may deliver:

• 24-hour supervision and support in a private family home
• Training and assistance with daily living skills (cooking, cleaning, hygiene)
• Medication reminders and health monitoring
• Socialization, community participation, and recreational activities
• Behavioral support and skill-building as part of daily routines
• Emotional support, guidance, and advocacy

Each placement must be based on a person-centered service plan and regularly monitored for quality, safety, and progress toward individual goals.

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3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (if operating as an agency)
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Ensure all provider homes meet safety, sanitation, and fire code requirements
• Complete home inspections and SDS family habilitation readiness reviews
• Submit background checks and training certifications for all adult household members
• Develop systems for documenting daily activities, care, and skill development

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4. SDS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Request the Family Habilitation Services Provider application from SDS
• Participate in SDS orientation sessions on residential and habilitative care

Application & Program Review:

• Submit service plan describing the home setting, supervision model, and training goals
• Provide family/home information, including caregiver experience and household structure
• Include emergency protocols, routines, sample daily schedules, and support strategies

Home and Staff Review:

• SDS completes a home inspection and reviews readiness for client placement
• All adults in the home must pass background checks and receive required training
• SDS evaluates the home's suitability for the individual's needs and preferences

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Upon SDS approval, enroll as a Family Habilitation Services provider through Alaska MMIS
• Add appropriate billing codes under the HCBS waiver program
• Finalize Medicaid provider agreement and enable electronic claims submission

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5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License (if agency-based)
• IRS EIN Letter
• NPI confirmation
• Lease, deed, or proof of homeownership for provider home

SDS-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:

• Home inspection, admission, and matching procedures
• Daily living skill-building and community engagement plans
• Medication assistance and health monitoring policies
• Emergency, fire safety, and evacuation procedures
• Incident reporting and consumer grievance procedures
• Rights, dignity, and personal choice protocols
• Documentation templates for daily notes, progress, and care routines
• Staff/family training records and continuing education logs

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Family Caregiver / Provider Family
Requirements: Experience with caregiving or working with individuals with disabilities; must be trained, background-checked, and approved by SDS

Role: Program Supervisor (for agencies with multiple homes)
Requirements: Human services experience and oversight skills to ensure quality across homes

All provider families must complete:

• SDS orientation and Family Habilitation training
• Training on HCBS rules, person-centered planning, and skill development
• CPR/First Aid certification and safety training
• Annual ethics, abuse prevention, and documentation training
• Emergency response and behavior support protocols

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Alaska Medicaid Waivers authorize Family Habilitation Services:

• Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Waiver
• Adults with Physical and Developmental Disabilities (APDD) Waiver (in select cases)
• Children with Complex Medical Conditions (CCMC) Waiver (for family-based children’s homes)

Approved providers may deliver:

• 24/7 support and habilitative skill-building in a family setting
• Integration into family and community routines
• Supervised medication assistance and health-related monitoring
• Progress documentation and coordination with care teams

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Home Setup
Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: SDS Application and Home Review
Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff and Household Training
Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and MMIS Setup
Timeline: 45–60 days

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9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Alaska Department of Health – Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS)
Email: dsdsprovider@alaska.gov
Phone: (907) 269-3666
Website: https://dhss.alaska.gov/dsds

Alaska Medicaid Provider Enrollment – Conduent MMIS
Website: https://medicaidalaska.com

10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business formation (LLC, EIN, NPI)
• SDS provider application and home setup guidance
• Development of Family Habilitation Policy & Procedure Manual
• Home safety checklist, daily routine logs, and client documentation templates
• Medicaid enrollment and billing system configuration
• WEBSITE, DOMAIN, AND EMAIL SETUP (for agencies)
• FAMILY INTAKE AND INDIVIDUAL MATCHING PACKET
• TRAINING MATERIALS FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS
• INCIDENT REPORTING AND SERVICE QUALITY MONITORING TOOLS
• CLIENT REFERRAL NETWORK SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH STRATEGIES