Supported Employment Services in Kentucky help individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (ID/DD) or brain injuries find, secure, and maintain competitive integrated employment. These services, covered under specific Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, promote workforce inclusion, skill development, and long-term job success with individualized supports.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) — Department for Medicaid Services (DMS)
Role: Administers Medicaid reimbursement, enrollment, and regulatory compliance for supported employment services

Agency: Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID)
Role: Provides oversight and quality assurance for service delivery under ID/DD and ABI waiver programs

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Ensures person-centered employment practices and compliance with federal Medicaid HCBS requirements

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)
Role: Authorize supported employment services, manage claims, and ensure coordination with care teams

Agency: Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
Role: Collaborates with providers for time-limited supports under the Employment First framework; services must be coordinated with OVR when available

2. SERVICE OVERVIEW

Supported Employment Services assist participants in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining jobs in community-based settings. Services are individualized and delivered in accordance with the participant’s Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) and must comply with Employment First principles.

Authorized services may include:

• Job exploration and career planning
• Job development and customized job matching
• On-the-job coaching and training
• Transportation coordination (to and from work)
• Workplace accommodations and natural supports development
• Benefits counseling related to employment income
• Follow-along support to sustain long-term employment
• Coordination with employers and coworkers for inclusion

Services must lead to competitive integrated employment, meaning the job must pay at least minimum wage, occur in a typical work environment, and offer the same access to coworkers and opportunities as workers without disabilities.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register your business with the Kentucky Secretary of State
• Obtain IRS EIN and Type 2 NPI
• Enroll as a Medicaid provider through the Medicaid Partner Portal Application (MPPA)
• Maintain liability and worker’s compensation insurance
• Obtain approval or credentialing from DBHDID (based on waiver)
• Hire or contract with qualified Employment Specialists or Job Coaches
• Develop a Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual
• Implement HIPAA-compliant documentation systems and service tracking tools

4. KENTUCKY PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid Enrollment via MPPA

• Apply under the relevant waiver(s) as a Supported Employment provider
• Complete MCO credentialing for participation in their provider network

Step 2: Documentation Submission

• Provide business license, liability insurance, service protocols, and staff credentials
• Submit a coordination plan with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (when required)

Step 3: Service Launch & Coordination

• Collaborate with waiver case managers and OVR counselors (if applicable)
• Obtain service authorization through MCO
• Begin job search support, placement services, and coaching as per PCSP

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Kentucky business license
• IRS EIN and NPI confirmation
• Insurance certificates (liability and workers’ comp)

Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual, including:

• Intake and employment readiness assessment forms
• Job development and placement activity logs
• Job coaching session documentation
• PCSP-aligned goal tracking
• Employer contact logs and natural support notes
• Incident reporting and critical response protocols
• Staff training records, background checks, and certifications
• Medicaid billing templates and audit-ready documentation systems

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Employment Specialist / Job Coach
Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent (Bachelor’s preferred); experience in vocational rehabilitation, human services, or supported employment; cleared background check; valid driver’s license if providing transportation

Role (optional): Program Coordinator / Supervisor
Requirements: Oversees quality assurance, service tracking, and staff development

All staff must complete:

• Person-centered planning and employment-first training
• HIPAA and participant confidentiality training
• Abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention training
• Transportation safety and emergency preparedness (if transporting participants)
• Annual continuing education in workforce integration and disability employment practices

7. MEDICAID PROGRAMS & HCBS WAIVERS

Supported Employment Services are authorized under:

• Supports for Community Living (SCL) Waiver
• Michelle P. Waiver (MPW)
• Acquired Brain Injury (ABI & ABI-LTC) Waivers

Service delivery settings include:

• Participant’s home (for career planning)
• Community-based job sites
• Workplaces and employer offices
• Vocational training sites
• Virtual sessions (when permitted for planning or follow-along)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration and Program Manual Development
Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: MPPA Enrollment and MCO Credentialing
Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Staff Onboarding and Employer Outreach
Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Service Launch and PCSP Coordination
Timeline: Ongoing based on referrals and authorizations

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services (DMS)
Website: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms

Medicaid Provider Enrollment (MPPA):
https://mppa.ky.gov

Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID)
Website: https://dbhdid.ky.gov

Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
Website: https://kcc.ky.gov/Vocational-Rehabilitation

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• MPPA enrollment and MCO credentialing for supported employment
• Development of Policy & Procedure Manual aligned with employment-first principles
• Staff training tools, intake forms, and employer outreach templates
• Billing setup for job development, coaching, and follow-along support
• Coordination protocols with OVR and waiver case managers
• Website and branding tools for participant and referral outreach