HELPING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ACHIEVE MEANINGFUL, COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES
Supported Employment Services in Hawaii assist individuals with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining competitive integrated employment. These services are authorized under Hawaii’s Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs and focus on promoting self-sufficiency, financial independence, and full community participation.
1. GOVERNING AGENCIES
Agency: Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) — Med-QUEST Division
Role: Oversees Medicaid provider enrollment, service authorization, and reimbursement for Supported Employment Services
Agency: Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) — Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD)
Role: Administers HCBS waiver-supported employment services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight ensuring Supported Employment Services meet Medicaid HCBS standards and community integration goals
2. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OVERVIEW
Supported Employment Services help individuals with disabilities engage in paid employment in regular workforce settings with necessary supports.
Approved providers may deliver:
- Discovery and career exploration assessments
- Job development, job matching, and placement services
- Job coaching and on-the-job skills training
- Support for learning workplace etiquette and self-advocacy
- Support with job retention strategies and problem-solving
- Self-employment or microenterprise support (where authorized)
- Ongoing follow-up and support services to ensure long-term success
Services must be individualized and based on goals identified in the participant’s Individualized Service Plan (ISP).
3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites:
- Register business with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
- Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
- Enroll as a Medicaid provider with Hawaii’s Med-QUEST Division
- Complete DDD Provider Standards Certification for employment services
- Maintain general liability and professional liability insurance
- Develop policies for vocational assessment, job placement, on-site support, participant rights, and safety
4. MED-QUEST/DHS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Initial Interest and Application:
- Submit Provider Enrollment Application identifying Supported Employment Services under Hawaii’s HCBS waiver offerings
Application and Documentation Submission:
- Submit Articles of Incorporation, proof of EIN/NPI, insurance certificates, and operational policies
- Provide service plans for discovery, job development, job coaching, and retention supports
- Submit staff credentialing documentation and sample participant vocational profiles
Program Readiness Review:
- DHS and DOH review the provider’s capacity, staffing, program structure, documentation practices, and Medicaid billing systems
Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:
- Upon approval, configure billing codes for Supported Employment stages (discovery, intensive job coaching, extended services)
5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
- Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Hawaii DCCA)
- IRS EIN confirmation
- NPI confirmation
- Proof of general and professional liability insurance
HCBS-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Participant intake, vocational profiling, and employment goal setting
- Job development, job placement, and on-site support procedures
- Ongoing employment monitoring and problem-solving protocols
- HIPAA confidentiality, participant rights, and grievance handling procedures
- Staff credentialing, background screening, and competency records
- Medicaid billing, service authorization tracking, and audit readiness procedures
6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
Role: Supported Employment Program Manager / Employment Services Supervisor
Requirements: Bachelor's degree in vocational rehabilitation, human services, education, or related field preferred, experience with employment supports, background screening clearance
Role: Employment Specialists / Job Coaches
Requirements: High school diploma or GED, specialized training in supported employment models (ACRE certification) preferred, background screening clearance
All staff must complete:
- Person-centered employment planning and workplace integration training
- Disability awareness and workplace accommodation training
- HIPAA confidentiality, participant rights, and abuse prevention training
- Emergency preparedness and employment crisis response training
- Annual refresher courses on employment supports best practices
7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS
The following Hawaii Medicaid Waivers authorize Supported Employment Services:
- Developmental Disabilities/Intellectual Disabilities (DD/ID) Waiver
Approved providers may deliver:
- Discovery and vocational assessment services
- Job development and customized employment services
- Intensive job coaching and on-the-job training supports
- Ongoing extended services for long-term job retention
8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH
Phase: Business Formation and Initial Credentialing Setup
Timeline: 1–2 weeks
Phase: Med-QUEST and DDD 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
9. CONTACT INFORMATION
Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) — Med-QUEST Division
Website: https://medquest.hawaii.gov/
Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) — Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD)
Website: https://health.hawaii.gov/ddd/
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Website: https://www.cms.gov/
10. SCOPE OF WORK
- Business registration and EIN/NPI setup
- Medicaid and DHS Supported Employment provider enrollment support
- Development of Supported Employment Policy & Procedure Manual
- Staff credentialing templates and participant vocational assessment documentation
- Medicaid billing setup and claims management
- Website, domain, and email setup
- Discovery process, job placement, and employment outcome tracking templates
- Emergency response protocols for employment-related crises
- Quality assurance systems for job placement success monitoring
- Employer outreach and partnership development strategies
WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — HAWAII SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDER
We support employment agencies, disability service organizations, and rehabilitation providers in launching Medicaid-compliant Supported Employment Services under Hawaii’s HCBS waiver programs.
To get started, click the link to request portal access.