The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) has deliniated the following Medicaid Waiver Provider Application Review Process to assist potential service providers with a better understanding of the steps involved. This process is also available as a downloadable PDF document.
Provider Readiness Overview
The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) has made a strong commitment to attracting, recruiting, and developing provider agencies that can meet the needs of District of Columbia citizens with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families. Increasingly, individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities require providers with the capacity to respond positively, promptly, and skillfully to challenging behaviors, complex medical needs and the effects of multiple disabilities and diagnoses.
Purpose of the Process
To provide the framework for identifying qualified providers ready to begin serving individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities and assist those providers already in the DDS/DDA system who may need to improve in identified weak areas.
To ensure prospective providers have:
- the necessary training and experience,
- the technical skills,
- the administrative competency,
- the financial stability,
- the compassion and the commitment to support individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities in enjoying a real life which involves much more than just having a license.
The following steps make up the process:
Step 1: Letter of Interest
The Readiness Process begins with a letter from the prospective provider to the Department on Disability Services Developmental Disability Administration (DDS/DDA) expressing an interest in becoming a provider. The letter must include:
- Name of the agency with proof of incorporation in the District of Columbia.
- Contact person with a mailing address, business email address, and telephone number.
- Brief description of the type of services they would like to provide.
- Brief description of readiness to serve individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Step 2: Attendance at a Mandatory Information Session (by Invitation only)
Upon receipt of the letter of interest, the Prospective Provider will receive an invitation to attend the Mandatory Information Session. During the course of the Information Session each prospective provider will be given a provider application checklist that indicate the required information that must accompany the DDS application packet.