1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Role: Provides oversight for residential services and contracts with Regional Centers for service coordination

Agency: California Department of Social Services (CDSS) – Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD)
Role: Licenses residential facilities (like Adult Residential Facilities) and enforces Title 22 regulations

Agency: Regional Centers (21 nonprofit centers statewide)
Role: Authorizes services through Individual Program Plans (IPPs), approves vendors, and monitors quality

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Ensures federal compliance with HCBS requirements under Medicaid

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2. COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL SERVICE OVERVIEW

Community-Based Residential Services offer individualized supports in licensed homes typically housing 4 or fewer individuals to help them live as independently as possible while receiving necessary care, supervision, and life skills training.

Approved providers may deliver:

• 24-hour supervision and health/safety support
• Personal care assistance (ADLs and IADLs)
• Medication administration (per licensure guidelines)
• Community integration and recreation
• Implementation of ISP goals and behavioral supports
• Coordination of medical, dental, and mental health appointments
• Daily documentation of services and progress

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3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the California Secretary of State
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Apply for a Community Care Facility (CCF) license from CDSS – CCLD (like Adult Residential Facility [ARF])
• Complete vendorization with a Regional Center using the appropriate Service Code (915 for ARFs)
• Secure fire clearance and ensure facility zoning compliance
• Hire qualified staff and obtain Administrator Certification from CDSS
• Maintain general liability, property, and worker’s comp insurance

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4. REGIONAL CENTER VENDORIZATION PROCESS

Step 1: Pre-Vendorization Meeting

Contact your Regional Center’s Community Services Department and request a vendor application for residential services

Step 2: Program Design Development

Submit detailed service and staffing plan, house routines, emergency protocols, and quality assurance systems

Step 3: CDSS Licensing Approval

Apply for and obtain a Community Care License, including inspection, background checks, and facility approval

Step 4: Vendorization Approval

Sign vendor agreement and receive Regional Center referrals for individuals authorized through their IPPs

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Fictitious Business Name (FBN)
• IRS EIN Letter
• NPI confirmation
• CDSS Community Care License (e.g., ARF)
• Fire safety clearance
• Regional Center vendor approval

Policy & procedure manual including:

• House rules, client intake, and discharge criteria
• Medication administration logs and health tracking forms
• Staff schedules, job descriptions, and supervision records
• Emergency and safety procedures
• ISP goal implementation and progress logs
• Participant rights, confidentiality, and grievance policies
• Incident reporting and monthly service summaries

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Administrator
Requirements: CDSS-approved administrator certification, minimum education and experience per Title 22

Role: Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Requirements:

• DSP I and DSP II certification within one year of hire
• CPR/First Aid certification
• TB clearance and Live Scan fingerprinting
• Completion of required orientation and in-service training

Training Requirements for All Staff:

• ISP implementation and person-centered support
• Medication administration (as authorized)
• Abuse prevention and mandated reporter training
• HIPAA/confidentiality and emergency preparedness
• Annual CEUs and in-service refreshers per licensing standards

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Community-Based Residential Services are reimbursed under:

• HCBS Waiver for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
• Regional Center Services under the Lanterman Act
• State Plan Medi-Cal (for dual diagnosis and behavioral health needs)

Approved providers may deliver:

• 24-hour supervision and care in a licensed home setting
• Skill-building activities aligned with the IPP
• Behavioral interventions and healthcare coordination
• Structured support for personal growth, safety, and integration

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation
Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: CDSS Community Care Licensing
Timeline: 90–120 days

Phase: Regional Center Vendorization
Timeline: 45–90 days

Phase: Facility Setup, Staffing, and Program Approval
Timeline: 30–60 days

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9. CONTACT INFORMATION

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

California Department of Social Services – Community Care Licensing (CCLD)
Website: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing

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

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10. SCOPE OF WORK 

• Business registration (LLC, EIN, NPI)
• CDSS residential licensing application and preparation
• Regional Center vendorization and program design development
• Policy & procedure manual for daily care, ISP tracking, and safety
• Templates for staff schedules, medication logs, and resident records
• Website, domain, and email setup
• Staff credentialing trackers and supervision logs
• Client intake packet, consent forms, and house rules
• Incident reporting systems and audit preparation tools
• Referral networking with Regional Centers, case managers, and clinicians

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROVIDER

We guide providers through every stage of launching Community-Based Residential Services in California, including licensing, vendorization, program design, and long-term compliance.