APD > Qualified Organizations

Below you will find information concerning section 393.0663, Florida Statutes (2020), which requires all Waiver Support Coordination services to be provided by Waiver Support Coordinators (WSCs) through qualified organizations effective July 1, 2021. This webpage will be regularly updated to share announcements, answer frequently asked questions, and provide instruction related to the new Qualified Organization requirements. Please check this site regularly for updates.

FAQs:

As additional information and questions are received, the FAQ sheet will be updated throughout the transition process. Therefore, please check the date posted to ensure you have the most current FAQ sheet.

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Qualified Organization Requirement

Chapter 2020-71, Laws of Florida, formerly referred to as Senate Bill 82, was adopted into Florida law with an effective date of July 1, 2021. Chapter 2020-71, in part, revised the definition of “Support Coordinator” to require all support coordinators to be “an employee of a qualified organization as provided in s. 393.0663.” Additionally, chapter 2020-71 created s. 393.0663, F.S., which sets forth the requirements of qualified organizations and how APD will regulate them. In addition to the qualified organization requirements found in s. 393.0663, F.S., the Agency is developing related rules, which can be found in chapter 65G-14, F.A.C.

Effective July 1, 2021, APD may no longer contract with solo Waiver Support Coordinators (WSCs) or WSCs agencies, but rather may only contract with qualified organizations for Waiver Support Coordination services. Therefore, all WSCs will need to be associated with a qualified organization to provide WSC services through APD.

Announcements

  • The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) has identified numerous errors when opening files that use special punctuation or special characters in the file name. Do not include any punctuation or special characters in the name of the file. This will prevent the file from being opened and viewed by any other APD iConnect users including Qlarant.
  • APD is accepting Qualified Organization Applications. The application will need to be completed and submitted to the provider’s APD Home Region, which is where the applicant originally enrolled as a Florida Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (“HCBS”) Waiver Provider and where the Qualified Organization will provide services. For more information and resources for the application, refer to the Helpful Links section below on this page.
  • The Agency hosted rule workshops and a hearing for the Qualified Organization and Waiver Support Coordination chapter 65G-14, on July 30 and November 18, 2020. The Agency also held a rule hearing on January 20, 2021 regarding proposed rules. The Agency has reviewed and carefully considered all feedback received.
  • After considering feedback and questions, the Agency published a Notice of Change to Proposed Rules 65G-14.001 and 14.002, F.A.C. to clarify that Support Coordinators must be employees and not independent contractors of a Qualified Organization. The Agency is holding a second rule hearing on February 15, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon EST. Attendees may register for the hearing at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8874588669460504848. After registering, a confirmation email will be received containing information about joining the webinar. Opportunities to offer comments and questions will be available during the hearing.

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Qualified Organization/WSC Application Information

The Agency began accepting Qualified Organization Applications on February 9, 2021. The Qualified Organization Application has not been adopted in rule, so applicants may be asked to provide additional information once chapter 65G-14, F.A.C. has been adopted.

Existing WSCs applying to become a Qualified Organization do not need to submit all documents listed on the application. Existing WSCs have already provided APD with the following information, and therefore do not need to resubmit it with their Qualified Organization application:

  • Copy of ID
  • Education information (Official Transcripts)
  • Resume
  • Two References
  • Background Screening Information
  • Signed Attestation of Good Moral Character
  • Proof of active Medicaid Number (Simply provide APD with your Medicaid Number)

Helpful Links/Documents for Application Process:

The Agency has developed toolkits and checklists to assist WSCs and potential Qualified Organizations on how to complete applications.

Additionally, the Agency has created templates for required policies and procedures, mentoring program, disciplinary process, and code of ethics for Qualified Organizations to use if they choose. Prospective qualified organizations may:

These documents are required to be submitted pursuant to Chapter 65G-14, F.A.C., and the iBudget Handbook with the qualified organization application.

Application Submission:

The Qualified Organization Application must be completed in its entirety and submitted electronically with all required documents to the provider’s APD Home Region.