SUPPORTING DAILY LIVING INDEPENDENCE THROUGH NON-MEDICAL IN-HOME ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Homemaker Services in California help individuals with developmental disabilities, chronic conditions, or aging-related needs maintain a clean, safe, and healthy home environment. These non-medical services are offered through California’s Regional Centers, the Self-Determination Program (SDP), and in some cases, under Medi-Cal Waiver Programs such as HCBS-DD and ARChoices equivalents.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Role: Oversees delivery of homemaker services through Regional Centers and SDP

Agency: Regional Centers (21 statewide)
Role: Approve homemaker vendors, authorize services via IPPs, and monitor quality

Agency: California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
Role: Oversees Medi-Cal programs and some in-home service coordination

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight for waiver-based homemaker services

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2. HOMEMAKER SERVICE OVERVIEW

Homemaker Services include general household tasks that an individual is unable to perform independently due to their disability. Services are provided in the person’s own home and must align with goals in their Individual Program Plan (IPP) or Person-Centered Plan (PCP).

Approved providers may deliver:

• Light housekeeping (e.g., vacuuming, mopping, dusting)
• Dishwashing and kitchen cleaning
• Laundry and linen changes
• Grocery shopping and putting away food
• Meal preparation and cleanup
• Bathroom sanitation and trash disposal
• Documentation of services and condition of the home

Note: Homemaker services do not include medical or hands-on personal care unless separately authorized.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the California Secretary of State
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Enroll as a homemaker vendor with a Regional Center (Service Code 520 or similar)
• OR join the Self-Determination Program via an FMS for non-vendorized delivery
• Maintain liability insurance and appropriate worker screening
• Employ staff with experience in home care, cleaning, or independent living support

4. REGIONAL CENTER VENDORIZATION PROCESS

Step 1: Contact Regional Center

Request a vendor application packet for homemaker services

Step 2: Submit Required Documents

Include a service description, staff qualifications, training protocols, sample task lists, and policies for entering private homes

Step 3: Approval and Vendor Number Issuance

Upon approval, you may begin accepting referrals from service coordinators

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5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Fictitious Business Name (FBN)
• IRS EIN Letter
• NPI confirmation
• Liability insurance certificate
• Regional Center vendor approval or Self-Determination FMS affiliation

Policy & procedure manual including:

• Task checklists and visit verification forms
• Infection control and safety protocols
• Documentation of service delivery and notes
• Emergency contact procedures
• Client consent, confidentiality, and grievance policies
• Staff hiring, background checks, and supervision protocols
• Complaint handling and quality control

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Homemaker Services Coordinator / Supervisor
Requirements: Experience in in-home support services, program supervision, or human services

Role: Homemaker / In-Home Support Worker
Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Background clearance (Live Scan), TB screening, and CPR/First Aid (recommended)
• Knowledge of basic cleaning, home safety, and respectful client interaction

Training Requirements for All Staff:

• Household safety and infection control
• Documentation and ethics
• Confidentiality and abuse prevention
• Annual refreshers in safety and disability awareness

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Homemaker Services may be funded under:

• HCBS Waiver for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (1915(c))
• Regional Center Services under the Lanterman Act
• Self-Determination Program (SDP)
• Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) (for minors in Medi-Cal)

Approved providers may deliver:

• Scheduled or as-needed non-medical household support
• Services tailored to support ISP or PCP goals
• Documentation of tasks performed and home condition reports
• Coordination with service coordinators or FMS entities

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation
Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: Regional Center Vendorization or SDP Onboarding
Timeline: 30–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring and Training
Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: Referral Activation and Service Launch
Timeline: Ongoing

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9. CONTACT INFORMATION

California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Email: info@dds.ca.gov
Website: https://www.dds.ca.gov

Find Your Regional Center:
Website: https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/lookup

California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
Website: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov

Self-Determination Program (SDP) Info:
Website: https://www.dds.ca.gov/initiatives/sdp

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10. SCOPE OF WORK 

• Business registration (LLC, EIN, NPI)
• Regional Center vendorization or SDP enrollment with FMS
• Policy & procedure manual for in-home support and safety
• Templates for task checklists, daily logs, and client feedback
• Website, domain, and email setup
• Staff credentialing trackers and supervision logs
• Client intake packet, consent forms, and grievance tools
• Incident reporting systems and audit preparation tools
• Referral networking with support coordinators and disability organizations

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — CALIFORNIA HOMEMAKER SERVICES PROVIDER

We help new and existing providers launch fully compliant Homemaker Services under California’s Regional Center system and Self-Determination Program.