Supported Employment Funding – OVR to 1915(c) Waiver Supports

This occurs when OVR funding is not available.  

This typically happens after someone has received Supported Employment (SE) services through the OVR and the supported employment agency has reached the end of any OVR hourly payments for this service.   This may also happen if someone applies for OVR services and is put on a wait list due to Order of Selection. 

If one has received SE services through OVR, you can switch to Medicaid waiver dollars for: 

• Supported employees under age 25: after the final Extended Services rate is paid and the OVR case is closed.
• Supported employees over age 25: once the Employment Stability Assessment form is approved.

If someone has applied for OVR since May of 2025 and been put on a wait list, you can begin supported employment with Medicaid Waiver dollars. 

If someone wants to find a job, you can begin supported employment with Medicaid Waiver dollars once the individual has scheduled an appointment with OVR to complete the application process. While not required, you can use OVR’s Referral Form to refer someone for application.  

When requesting to bill any supported employment services through the Michelle P. Waiver, Supports for Community Living Waiver, or Acquired Brain Injury Waiver:

1. The Employment Specialist and Case Manager will need to complete the Coordination of Funding Information Submission Form 
   • Email this form (as an editable document) to DDID.SupportedEmployment@ky.gov
   • If you do not want to email an editable document, upload it to the Medicaid Waiver Management Application (MWMA) and email DDID.SupportedEmployment@ky.gov. Please let them know the case number and that it has been uploaded. 
2. The Case Manager and Employment Specialist will receive the Coordination of Funding Responsibility Determination and Individual Plan. This Plan will indicate units authorized on the Person-Centered Service Plan for all supported employment services. For guidance, review the Understanding the Coordination of Funding Responsibility Determination and Individual Plan. 
3. If denied or an LOI is received, you may reach out to DDID.SupportedEmployment@ky.gov with questions or concerns. 

If requesting Long-Term Support units:

• Ensure the Extended Services Plan (if recently completing OVR supported employment) or a Long-Term Support Plan is current in MWMA. You may receive a response and be advised to contact OVR to reapply for services or to add Long-Term Support to the Person-Centered Service Plan. Note: The Authorization of Long-Term Supports is valid for the job listed on the Long-Term Support Plan (or initial Extended Services Plan). If the individual changes jobs, complete a Coordination of Funding Information Submission Form and follow the guidance given to change the Prior Authorization (PA). 

While on an OVR wait list:

• Waiver services are prior authorized on a yearly service plan basis. 
• The initial prior authorization will be effective until the end of the person’s plan year. 
• If OVR services are still unavailable (not yet removed from wait list) at the beginning of the next plan year, the person may continue waiver-funded services. 
• When OVR services become available, the person must transition to OVR-funded services. 
  • Once moved to OVR funding, Supported Employment services (Person-Centered Job Selection/Discovery, Job Development, and/or Job Acquisition & Stabilization) will be removed from the Person-Centered Service Plan and treated as a non-waiver service until the person reaches Long Term Supports.  
  • OVR does not fund Long Term Supports. If the person is already receiving Long Term Supports, there is no need to transition to OVR funding.  

• Person Centered Job Selection:
  • New Person-Centered Employment Plan – up to 120 units over not more than 4 months or the end of the person’s plan year, whichever comes first. Remaining units may be requested with the person’s new plan.
  • Revised Person-Centered Employment Plan – up to 60 units over not more than 2 months or the end of the person’s plan year, whichever comes first. Remaining units may be requested with the person’s new plan.
• Job Development:
  • Up to 90 units over not more than 4 months or the end of the person’s plan year, whichever comes first. Remaining units may be requested with the person’s new plan.
• Job Acquisition with Support & Stabilization:
  • Up to 800 units over the span of time necessary for the person to reach proficiency in their job or the end of the person’s plan year, whichever comes first. Remaining units may be requested with the person’s new plan.
• Long Term Support:
  • Up to 24 units per month
  • If you need more than 24 units per month:
    • The Extended Services Plan (or Long Term Support Plan) must include full justification for the additional units as well as a fading plan for the additional units that follows a reasonable plan to reach 24 units or less per month.
    • With units exceeding 24 per month, the plan duration of the prior authorization must not exceed six months or the end of the person’s plan year, whichever comes first.

These waivers do not have individual unit allowance limits. Keep in mind these waiver services, alone or in any combination, shall be limited to forty (40) hours per calendar week. The number of authorized supported employment units will be detailed on the Person-Centered Service Plan.  

You can find suggestions for documentation and additional materials on the Supported Employment Training Project website.

If you have questions about the provision of Supported Employment, please contact the Supported Employment Training Project Director, Katie Wolf Whaley, at kwolf@uky.edu or 859-218-5960.   

Please direct all specific waiver-related supported employment services questions to DDID.SupportedEmployment@ky.gov.  

This information is shared as a courtesy by the Kentucky Supported Employment Training Project. We believe this information to be current as of August 2026. Please note that the process is subject to change.