1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) – Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)
Role: Approves providers, monitors compliance, and coordinates Habilitation Services through CES Waiver

Agency: Arkansas Medicaid / Division of Medical Services (DMS)
Role: Handles Medicaid provider enrollment and claims processing for habilitation services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Ensures federal compliance with HCBS waiver service delivery and community integration standards

2. HABILITATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Habilitation Services help individuals build skills related to self-care, safety, communication, behavior management, and community involvement. These services are delivered in the home or community and are tailored to each participant’s goals outlined in their Individualized Service Plan (ISP).

Approved providers may deliver:

• Skill-building activities in areas such as grooming, meal preparation, money management, and using public transportation
• Socialization and community engagement coaching
• Behavioral support and redirection techniques
• Supervision and safety support in home and community environments
• Documentation of skill progression and ISP goal achievement

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register your business with the Arkansas Secretary of State
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Apply through the DDS CES Waiver Provider Application
• Complete Arkansas Medicaid enrollment through the online portal
• Carry general liability insurance and implement incident tracking systems
• Hire and train direct support staff with experience in developmental disability services

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid Provider Enrollment

• Apply through the Arkansas Medicaid Provider Portal
• Submit required documents including license, EFT form, and W-9
• Select habilitation services under CES Waiver provider type

Step 2: DDS CES Waiver Application

• Submit service delivery plan, training protocols, and sample documentation forms
• Ensure alignment with person-centered planning and HCBS rules

Step 3: Approval and Referrals

• Upon approval, providers will begin receiving service referrals from DDS case managers

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

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

Policy & procedure manual including:

• Skill-building activity outlines and service schedules
• Safety and supervision procedures
• Staff training and onboarding logs
• HIPAA and client confidentiality policies
• Participant rights and consent forms
• ISP goal tracking and progress documentation
• Incident reporting and grievance resolution protocol
• Billing and time tracking tools

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Habilitation Services Supervisor / Program Manager
Requirements: Experience in developmental disability support and supervision of community-based services

Role: Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED
• CPR/First Aid certification
• Completion of DDS-approved training program
• Background check and Adult/Child Maltreatment Registry clearance

Training Requirements for All Staff:

• Person-centered service delivery
• Daily documentation and ISP implementation
• Behavior management and redirection strategies
• Annual refreshers on safety, ethics, and incident reporting

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Habilitation Services are authorized under:

• Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver

Approved providers may deliver:

• In-home and community-based habilitation activities
• Support to teach, retain, and improve life skills
• Supervision and coaching for social and safety skills
• Documentation aligned with individualized service goals

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation
Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment & CES Waiver Application
Timeline: 45–90 days

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

Phase: Referral Setup and Service Launch
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

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business registration (LLC, EIN, NPI)
• DDS CES Waiver application and Medicaid enrollment support
• Policy & procedure manual for habilitation services and ISP tracking
• Templates for skill assessments, progress notes, and daily logs
• 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 case managers and support coordinators

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — ARKANSAS HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER

We support providers in launching fully compliant Habilitation Services under the Arkansas CES Waiver, from licensing and staff training to documentation and referrals.

​​​​To get started, click the link to request portal access.