1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)
Role: Administers Supported Employment Services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through the NOW and COMP waivers

Agency: Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)
Role: Oversees Medicaid enrollment, service authorization, and reimbursement for Supported Employment Services

Agency: Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)
Role: Provides additional employment-related supports through pre-vocational training and job placement services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight ensuring employment services meet Medicaid HCBS person-centered and community integration requirements

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2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OVERVIEW

Supported Employment Services assist individuals with disabilities to identify, obtain, and maintain competitive employment in the general workforce.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Career exploration and vocational assessment
• Job development and placement services
• Job coaching and on-the-job skills training
• Ongoing support to maintain employment
• Self-employment support and business start-up assistance (where applicable)
• Workplace advocacy and accommodation assistance
• Soft skills training (communication, problem-solving, time management)

All services must be individualized based on the participant’s strengths, preferences, goals, and needs outlined in their Individualized Service Plan (ISP) or Vocational Profile.

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3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Georgia Secretary of State
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Enroll as a Medicaid provider through the Georgia Medicaid Management Information System (GAMMIS)
• Complete DBHDD Provider Enrollment for Supported Employment Services
• Maintain general liability and professional liability insurance
• Develop policies for employment planning, workplace integration, documentation, and participant rights

(Optional but highly recommended) Become a provider with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)

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4. DBHDD/DCH PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Submit a Letter of Intent to DBHDD for Supported Employment Services
• Complete pre-qualification checklist including business formation documents, insurance, and staffing plans

Application and Documentation Submission:

• Submit Articles of Incorporation, proof of EIN/NPI, organizational structure, and staff credentialing documents
• Provide sample employment support plans, job coaching protocols, and progress monitoring templates

Program Readiness Review:

• DBHDD reviews provider readiness, including systems for job development, coaching, data tracking, and Medicaid compliance

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• After DBHDD approval, complete Medicaid enrollment through GAMMIS
• Configure billing codes specific to Supported Employment (job development, intensive support, ongoing monitoring)

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5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Georgia Secretary of State)
• IRS EIN confirmation
• NPI confirmation
• Proof of general and professional liability insurance

DBHDD-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:

• Participant intake, vocational assessment, and service planning
• Job development, placement, and job coaching protocols
• Documentation of participant progress and employment outcomes
• HIPAA confidentiality, participant rights, and grievance procedures
• Staff credentialing, background screening, and training documentation
• Medicaid billing, service authorization tracking, and quality assurance systems

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Supported Employment Services Manager / Employment Specialist Supervisor
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in vocational rehabilitation, human services, education, or a related field preferred; experience in employment services; background screening clearance

Role: Employment Specialists / Job Coaches
Requirements: High school diploma or GED minimum; training in supported employment models recommended ( Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) certification); background screening clearance

All staff must complete:

• Person-centered employment planning training
• Disability awareness and accommodation training
• Workplace safety, advocacy, and communication training
• HIPAA confidentiality, abuse prevention, and participant rights training
• Annual continuing education in employment services best practices

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Georgia Medicaid Waivers authorize Supported Employment Services:

• Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP)
• New Options Waiver Program (NOW)

Approved providers may deliver:

• Discovery and vocational profiling services
• Job development and placement support
• Intensive on-the-job coaching and training
• Ongoing follow-up services to sustain employment
• Self-employment and small business development support (if specified)

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Initial Credentialing Setup
Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: DBHDD Provider Application and Readiness Review
Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Program Development
Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and Billing System Setup
Timeline: 45–60 days

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9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)
Website: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/

Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)
Website: https://dch.georgia.gov/

Georgia Medicaid Management Information System (GAMMIS)
Website: https://www.mmis.georgia.gov/

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)
Website: https://gvs.georgia.gov/

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business registration and EIN/NPI setup
• DBHDD Supported Employment provider enrollment and Medicaid setup
• Development of Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual
• Staff credentialing templates and participant vocational assessment forms
• Medicaid billing system setup and claims configuration
• Website, domain, and email setup
• Discovery process, job development, and job coaching documentation templates
• Emergency response and participant advocacy protocols
• Quality assurance programs for employment outcome tracking
• Community partnership development with employers and training institutions

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — GEORGIA SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER

We support employment agencies, community service organizations, and rehabilitation providers in launching Medicaid-compliant Supported Employment Services under Georgia’s HCBS waiver programs.

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