Supported Employment Services in Mississippi help individuals with disabilities find, secure, and maintain competitive employment. These services, offered through Mississippi’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers and vocational rehabilitation programs, support individuals with job coaching, skills training, and ongoing employment support.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS)

Role: Administers vocational rehabilitation and supported employment programs

Agency: Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM)

Role: Administers Medicaid and HCBS Waiver programs, including funding for supported employment services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight and ensures waiver compliance

2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OVERVIEW

Supported Employment Services focus on helping individuals with disabilities achieve and sustain meaningful employment. Services are individualized according to the Person-Centered Plan (PCP) or Individual Program Plan (IPP) and may include:

• Job development and placement
• On-the-job coaching and training
• Job retention support and follow-up
• Career planning and skills assessment
• Workplace accommodations and support
• Soft skills training and interview preparation

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Mississippi Secretary of State
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Enroll as a Medicaid provider with the Mississippi Division of Medicaid
• Become an approved vendor with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS)
• Maintain liability insurance and staff training documentation

4. MEDICAID PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Pre-Application Contact

• Contact MDRS to understand supported employment provider requirements

Step 2: Application Submission

• Submit business registration, liability insurance, service descriptions, and staff qualifications

Step 3: License Verification

• Ensure proper certification for job coaching and vocational training

Step 4: Approval and Medicaid Number Assignment

• Once approved, receive a Medicaid provider number and authorization to provide services

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business Name Registration
• IRS EIN Letter
• NPI confirmation
• MDRS vendor approval
• Liability insurance certificate

Policy & procedure manual including:

• Job development protocols
• Staff training and supervision logs
• Individual employment plans and progress tracking
• Client intake forms and service agreements
• Documentation of job coaching sessions and follow-ups

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Supported Employment Program Manager

Requirements: Experience in vocational rehabilitation, job coaching, or disability services

Role: Job Coach / Employment Specialist

Requirements:

• Background in workforce development or social services
• CPR/First Aid certification
• Background check and TB clearance

Training Requirements:

• Vocational assessment and job coaching techniques
• Soft skills development and employer engagement
• Safety protocols and client rights training
• Annual refreshers on ethics and job retention strategies

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Supported Employment Services in Mississippi are available through:

• 1915(c) HCBS Waiver for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Independent Living Waiver
• Traumatic Brain Injury/Spinal Cord Injury Waiver

Approved providers may deliver:

• Job development and ongoing support
• Workplace accommodations and training
• Assistance with job retention and performance improvement

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: Medicaid Provider Enrollment

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring and Training

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Program Development and Employer Outreach

Timeline: 2–4 weeks

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM)

Website: https://medicaid.ms.gov

Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS)

Website: https://www.mdrs.ms.gov

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business registration and licensing assistance
• Medicaid provider enrollment
• Policy & procedure manual for supported employment operations
• Templates for job coaching plans and client progress tracking
• Website, domain, and email setup
• Staff credentialing and training documentation
• Client intake packet and employment assessment forms
• Employer networking and outreach strategies
• Risk management and incident reporting systems

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — MISSISSIPPI SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER

We support agencies and entrepreneurs in launching compliant Supported Employment Services across Mississippi under the HCBS Waiver and MDRS models.