1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) – Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)
Role: Certifies providers and monitors the delivery of employment supports under the CES Waiver

Agency: Arkansas Medicaid / Division of Medical Services (DMS)
Role: Manages Medicaid provider enrollment and reimbursement for employment services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Ensures employment services comply with HCBS Final Rule and promote community inclusion and independence

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2. EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OVERVIEW

Community-Based Employment Services include support in finding, securing, and maintaining jobs in integrated settings. Services are person-centered and can be delivered individually or in small groups, depending on the participant’s needs.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Job exploration and vocational assessments
• Job development and employer outreach
• Interview preparation and resume support
• On-the-job training and job coaching
• Ongoing employment stabilization and follow-up services
• Benefits counseling and work accommodations assistance
• Documentation of employment progress and ISP outcomes

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3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Arkansas Secretary of State
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Submit CES Waiver Provider Application to DDS
• Complete Medicaid provider enrollment through the Arkansas Medicaid Portal
• Hire employment specialists or job coaches with experience in disability support
• Maintain general liability insurance and a system for tracking employment outcomes

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4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid Provider Enrollment

• Apply via the Arkansas Medicaid Provider Portal
• Submit EFT, W-9, and business documentation
• Choose Employment Services under CES Waiver provider types

Step 2: DDS CES Waiver Application

• Provide a detailed service plan, including job development strategies and coaching procedures
• Submit staff qualifications, training protocols, and data collection tools

Step 3: Approval and Service Coordination

• Begin receiving referrals and authorizations from DDS support coordinators

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5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License
• IRS EIN Letter
• NPI confirmation
• CES Waiver provider approval

Policy & procedure manual including:

• Job matching, outreach, and coaching protocols
• Participant intake and goal-setting templates
• Daily logs and employment progress tracking forms
• Benefits and wage reporting coordination
• Crisis management and workplace incident documentation
• Staff training and supervision logs
• Confidentiality, rights, and HIPAA compliance policies
• Quality assurance and employer feedback tools

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Employment Specialist / Job Developer
Requirements: Experience in workforce development, disability services, or vocational rehabilitation

Role: Job Coach / Community Support Professional
Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED
• Training in job support strategies
• Background check and Adult/Child Maltreatment Registry clearance
• Reliable transportation and communication skills

Training Requirements for All Staff:

• Person-centered employment planning
• Documentation and ISP alignment
• Employer engagement and workplace accommodation strategies
• Ethics, confidentiality, and HCBS compliance
• Annual continuing education in job development best practices

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Community-Based Employment Services are authorized under:

• Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver

Approved providers may deliver:

• Individualized job search and placement support
• On-site job coaching and follow-up services
• Coordination with vocational rehabilitation counselors and employers
• Documentation aligned with the ISP and work readiness goals

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation
Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: CES Waiver and Medicaid Enrollment
Timeline: 45–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring and Credentialing
Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Referral Activation and Employer Outreach
Timeline: 2–4 weeks

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9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Arkansas Department of Human Services – Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)
Email: ddsproviderinfo@dhs.arkansas.gov
Phone: (501) 683-5687
Website: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/about-dhs/dms/dds

Arkansas Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
Website: https://portal.mmis.arkansas.gov

Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (Employer Services)
Website: https://www.dws.arkansas.gov

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business registration (LLC, EIN, NPI)
• CES Waiver and Medicaid enrollment support
• Policy & procedure manual for job development and coaching
• Templates for job logs, progress tracking, and employer outreach
• Website, domain, and email setup
• Staff credentialing trackers and supervision logs
• Client intake packet, consent forms, and behavior plans
• Incident reporting systems and audit preparation tools
• Referral networking with VR counselors, DDS, and employers