DELIVERING HANDS-ON SUPPORT TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES LIVE SAFELY AND INDEPENDENTLY IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES

Personal Assistance Services (PAS) in Delaware provide individualized, hands-on support for people with disabilities or chronic conditions who need help with daily living tasks. These services are authorized through the Delaware Lifespan Waiver, administered by the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS), and are delivered in home and community-based settings according to each participant’s Individual Service Plan (ISP).

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS)
Role: Oversees waiver-approved PAS providers and ensures alignment with ISP goals

Agency: Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA)
Role: Provides funding and reimbursement through Medicaid waiver programs

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Regulates HCBS programs and ensures that PAS delivery meets federal person-centered care standards

2. PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICE OVERVIEW

Personal Assistance Services support individuals in performing Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) they cannot complete independently. Services are non-medical and are provided in a participant’s home or the community.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing, and hygiene
• Help with mobility, transferring, and positioning
• Meal preparation and feeding support
• Light housekeeping, laundry, and home tidiness
• Medication reminders (non-administration)
• Shopping and transportation support
• Documentation of tasks completed and time spent per visit

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3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register your business with the Delaware Division of Corporations
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Enroll as a Personal Assistance Services Provider under the Lifespan Waiver (DDDS)
• Hire trained Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) or Home Care Aides
• Carry liability insurance and workers’ compensation
• Maintain HIPAA-compliant documentation systems
• Follow DDDS standards for personal support service delivery

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4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Register your business and obtain an NPI
Step 2: Apply to become a PAS provider through the DDDS Lifespan Waiver

Submit your service model, staff qualifications, documentation templates, and policies

Step 3: Enroll with Delaware Medicaid (DMAP) for billing setup if applicable
Step 4: Coordinate with Support Coordinators to receive referrals and ISP authorizations

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5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or business registration
• IRS EIN Letter
• NPI confirmation
• Liability insurance certificate
• DDDS provider approval

Policy & procedure manual including:

• Client intake and needs verification
• ADL/IADL support procedures
• Staff scheduling and supervision models
• Incident reporting and grievance policies
• HIPAA compliance and participant confidentiality
• Service log templates and billing documentation
• Emergency protocols and safety procedures

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Personal Assistant / Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Background check and CPR/First Aid certification
• Experience with ADL/IADL assistance preferred
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Role: Supervisor / Service Coordinator
Requirements:

• Oversight of service delivery, documentation review, and staff performance
• Experience in HCBS service management or direct support supervision

Training Requirements for All Staff:

• HIPAA and client confidentiality
• Abuse prevention and mandated reporting
• Personal care support techniques and safety
• Documentation and ISP goal alignment
• Emergency response and infection control

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Personal Assistance Services are reimbursed under:

• Delaware Lifespan Waiver (administered by DDDS)

Approved providers may deliver:

• Scheduled or as-needed support based on ISP
• One-on-one, person-centered care in home or community
• Time-documented service sessions with activity summaries
• Communication with case managers and caregivers for continuity

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation
Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: DDDS Waiver Enrollment
Timeline: 30–60 days

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

Phase: Referral Activation and Service Start
Timeline: Ongoing

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9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS)
Phone: (302) 744-9600
Website: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/ddds

Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA)
Phone: (302) 255-9500
Website: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dmma

Delaware Medicaid Provider Enrollment (DMAP)
Website: https://www.demap.dhss.delaware.gov

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business registration (LLC, EIN, NPI)
• DDDS waiver enrollment and Medicaid billing setup
• Policy & procedure manual for personal care, safety, and reporting
• Templates for service logs, consent forms, and incident reports
• Website, domain, and email setup
• Staff credentialing trackers and supervision documentation
• Client intake packet, ADL support plans, and HIPAA tools
• Incident reporting systems and audit preparation checklists
• Referral networking with DDDS, families, and support coordinators