SUPPORTING FULL PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THROUGH INCLUSIVE, GOAL-DRIVEN ACTIVITIES
Community Integration Services in Arkansas help individuals with developmental disabilities engage with their communities through meaningful, skill-building activities. These services are provided under the Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver and are designed to promote independence, socialization, and access to community resources in alignment with the individual’s goals in their Individualized Service Plan (ISP).
1. GOVERNING AGENCIES
Agency: Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) – Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)
Role: Approves and oversees providers delivering Community Integration Services under the CES Waiver
Agency: Arkansas Medicaid / Division of Medical Services (DMS)
Role: Administers Medicaid funding, enrollment, and reimbursement for CES Waiver services
Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight and ensures compliance with Medicaid HCBS Final Rule
2. COMMUNITY INTEGRATION SERVICE OVERVIEW
Community Integration Services assist individuals with disabilities in participating in everyday life by supporting their involvement in community settings such as libraries, recreational centers, volunteer sites, and public events. These services help develop skills for independent living and community involvement.
Approved providers may deliver:
- One-on-one or group-based support in community settings
- Assistance accessing volunteer work, classes, and recreational events
- Coaching on using public transportation, money management, or communication
- Skill-building for social interaction and personal safety in public
- Daily documentation of activities aligned with ISP goals
- Transportation coordination (if authorized)
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
- Enroll as a Medicaid provider through the Arkansas Medicaid Portal
- Hire staff trained in disability services and community-based support
- Maintain liability insurance and implement safety protocols for outings
4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Step 1: Medicaid Provider Enrollment
- Apply via the Arkansas Medicaid Provider Portal
- Select Community Integration under CES Waiver provider types
- Submit necessary documentation including business credentials and EFT details
Step 2: CES Waiver Provider Application (DDS)
- Submit policy manual, training protocols, and sample service logs
- Provide outlines of activity schedules, safety plans, and ISP alignment procedures
Step 3: Approval and Referral Activation
- Receive referral access from DDS Support Coordinators to begin delivering services
5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
- Articles of Incorporation or Business License
- IRS EIN Letter
- NPI confirmation
- Medicaid and CES Waiver approval
Policy & procedure manual including:
- Intake, scheduling, and daily activity planning
- Community risk assessments and safety procedures
- Transportation policies (if applicable)
- Daily documentation logs and ISP progress forms
- Participant rights and consent procedures
- Staff credentialing and supervision protocols
- Incident reporting and emergency planning
- Billing and time verification forms
6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
Role: Community Integration Coordinator / Supervisor
Requirements: Experience in disability services, community engagement, or case coordination
Role: Community Support Professional / Direct Support Staff
Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- CPR/First Aid certification
- Background check and registry clearance
- Knowledge of inclusive community practices
Training Requirements for All Staff:
- Person-centered planning and ISP implementation
- Safety during community outings
- Communication and behavior support strategies
- Documentation and confidentiality
- Annual refreshers in ethics, safety, and transportation support
7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES
Community Integration Services are authorized under:
- Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver
Approved providers may deliver:
- Structured community engagement activities
- Coaching and transportation support
- Social, educational, and recreational outings
- Skill-building to promote inclusion and independence
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 Training
Timeline: 30–45 days
Phase: Referral Activation and Scheduling
Timeline: 2–4 weeks
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
10. SCOPE OF WORK
- Business registration (LLC, EIN, NPI)
- DDS CES Waiver and Medicaid provider enrollment support
- Policy & procedure manual for community engagement and ISP tracking
- Templates for daily logs, activity calendars, and incident reports
- 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 support coordinators, advocacy groups, and local organizations
WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — ARKANSAS COMMUNITY INTEGRATION SERVICES PROVIDER
We help providers develop and launch inclusive Community Integration Services under Arkansas’s CES Waiver to empower individuals through skill-building and community participation.
To get started, click the link to request portal access.