1. Program Definition and Services

Day Habilitation Services in South Dakota help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) build life skills, participate in their communities, and achieve personal goals in a safe and supportive group environment. The program focuses on promoting independence, socialization, and community inclusion. Services include:

• In-Home Support: Personalized habilitation activities strictly occur outside of a private residential setting (including communication, daily living skills training, and health education)
• Residential & Facility Support: Structured skill-building, socialization, and recreation delivered inside certified provider-operated facilities, alongside specialized transportation and coordinated community integration outings

2. Regulations

The program is governed by the following regulations:

• Administrative Rules of South Dakota (ARSD) Chapter 46:11:08 (CHOICES Waiver Services)
• Administrative Rules of South Dakota (ARSD) Chapter 46:11:06 (Safety, Sanitation, and Physical Facilities Standards for Day Habilitation)
• South Dakota Codified Laws (SDCL) Title 27B (Community Support Providers Regulations)
• Federal Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Final Rule (Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 441.301)

3. Licensing or Certification

Providers must be formally certified as a Community Support Provider (CSP) or Community Services Provider (SP) by the South Dakota Department of Human Services (DHS). Additionally, the agency must maintain active accreditation through a state-designated national quality assurance organization to deliver services under the CHOICES Waiver.

4. Responsible State Agency

The South Dakota Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and the South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) are responsible for conducting facility readiness reviews, issuing agency certifications, and enforcing HCBS compliance.

5. Application Process

The application process is conducted through the electronic South Dakota Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal, alongside a dedicated DHS-DDD certification process. Providers must submit physical facility details, structural layouts, and formal corporate credentials online to initiate evaluation.

6. Required Documentation

While specific documentation requirements vary based on the target waiver, providers typically need to submit:

• Proof of facility compliance with the 2000 edition of the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101)
• Agency-specific Day Habilitation Policy & Procedure Manual
• Verified building floor plans reflecting minimum square footage requirements (20 sq. ft. per participant)
• Proof of general liability, commercial property, and specialized commercial auto insurance

7. Timeline for Approval

The exact timeline for approval fluctuates based on agency capacity. Providers should contact the DHS Division of Developmental Disabilities for detailed information on current processing timeframes.

8. Pre-Application Process

Prospective providers must complete specific foundation tasks before applying. They must establish their business entity with the South Dakota Secretary of State, secure a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), and obtain a corporate Type 2 National Provider Identifier (NPI).

9. Pre-Application Training

The state hosts mandatory administrative, compliance, and Electronic Visit Verification/Billing onboarding sessions online. Access details are sent to qualified applicants once preliminary enrollment paperwork is reviewed and accepted.

10. Additional Notes

• Facilities must provide a minimum of 20 square feet of designated space per participant in day habilitation or classroom environments
• Providers must conduct and document at least one mandatory fire evacuation drill every single month for each day habilitation facility operated
• All site personnel, drivers, and program coordinators must pass formal background check clearances and complete annual abuse prevention training
• Detailed documentation tracking progress against each participant's Individualized Support Plan (ISP) must be accurately maintained for Medicaid billing audits

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