How to Become a Provider

Becoming a Provider

• Agency and independent service providers are the backbone of the developmental disabilities system. The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) provides training, guidance, and oversight for more than 10,000 service providers.

 

Independent Provider Qualifications:

• You must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, be able to read, write and understand English, and have one of the following forms of identification:

  • State of Ohio identification,

  • valid driver license,

  • or another government-issued photo identification.

 

Provider Agency or CEO:

• A provider agency employs a chief executive officer, or CEO, and at least one other person that directly provides services to people with developmental disabilities.

• Provider agencies must
   

  • be a for-profit corporation, non-profit corporation, LLC, or LLP,

  • have an employer identification number from the IRS,

  • have an employer identification number from the bureau of workers' compensation,

  • have comprehensive general liability insurance in the amount of at least five hundred thousand dollars,

  • have established internal system to ensure compliance with requirements for providers, employees, and contractors,

  • submit a non-refundable application fee: $800 for agencies that serve 50 people or fewer, $1,600 for agencies that serve 51 people or more,

  • and employ a CEO — or another person designated in writing by the CEO — that will be actively involved in the day-to-day operation of the agency and oversee the delivery of services.

 

• The CEO or CEO designee must

  • be at least 21 years old,

  • be able to read, write, and understand English,

  • be actively and directly involved in the agency’s daily operation,

  • visit a WebCheck location for fingerprinting and a background report from the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) and request that the report be sent directly to DODD by the Ohio Attorney General’s office.

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• Once you’ve decided that this is what you want to do, it’s a matter of gathering information, filling out required forms and applications, completing training, completing background checks, and submitting all this information to the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities for approval.

• The process to becoming Provider will take a little time, but it will be worth it because you will be joining thousands of others who understand what it means to have a job you love.

 

• It is important to know what type of waiver services you want to provide. If there is an individual in need of waiver services, please ask the individual, parent/guardian or Service and Support Administrator (SSA) to verify the type of waiver services needed.

 

• Review the following information regarding certification to become a Provider through the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities website:

• https://dodd.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/dodd/providers/initial-renewal-certification/1become-an-independent-provider

 

Administrative Rules:

• Independent Provider Certification Rule: https://dodd.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/dodd/forms-and-rules/rules-in-effect/5123-2-09
   

•  Agency Provider Certification Rule: https://dodd.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/dodd/forms-and-rules/rules-in-effect/5123-2-08
   

•  Background Investigations for Employment: https://dodd.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/dodd/forms-and-rules/rules-in-effect/5123-2-02

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE WITH THE APPLICATION PROCESS CONTACT:
Angela Dunn
MUI/Provider Support Coordinator
740-695-0407, ext. 346 or adunn@bcbdd.org

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