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I/DD Provider Types

Overview of license and review types

We provide licensing services to the provider types listed below through different types of monitoring and reviews. Choose a provider type to learn more about the requirements. If you are interested in applying, visit our Prospective Providers page.

Adult 24-hour residential programs Children's 24-hour residential programs Employment endorsement Supported living endorsement Support services brokerage Provider organization Adult foster care  Children's foster care Review types

Adult 24-hour residential programs

Adult ​24-hour residential programs provide training and supports in community homes for adults (18 years and older) with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities that require 24-hour support, supervision and training. Programs provide an array of services for one to five adults per home.

Note: This endorsement also requires Medicaid agency certification with endorsement to provide 24-hour residential services.

​Programs endorsed and licensed under this type are responsible for providing room and board, monitoring and providing for the health, safety, dietary, behavioral, mental health and recreational needs as well as coordination with any educational program or employment for each individual. Ancillary services such as nursing, occupational therapy, speech therapy, behavioral consulting, etc., are available based on individual need. All 24-hour residential programs in Oregon are required to use the Individual Support Plan System, which defines the support services to be provided.

  • ​License cycle: Two years​

Licensure Walk-Through - An application for each residential home must be submitted to I/DD Licensing along with indicated support documents (floor plan, lease or ownership agreement, walk-through check-list, application fee). Walk-through and applications for individual sites are not reviewed until an entity has been granted Medicaid Agency Certification. Upon review of the application information a licensing walk-through of the home will be scheduled. Any deficiencies will be noted and must be corrected, or variances accepted, prior to the licensure of the home.

  • Fee: Application for one to five person home - $30.00, six or more - $60.00

120-Day Licensing Review - After 120 days of home licensure, a full licensing review of the home and individuals living there will be conducted by a licensing team. The review will be unannounced. Any deficiencies will be documented in a full licensing report provided to the agency within approximately three to four weeks. Any deficiencies noted will require a written Plan of Improvement (POI) to be submitted to the department for review and acceptance.

​Licensure Renewal - Programs are contacted six months prior to the indicated renewal date with a request for updated information and renewal application. Reviews are normally conducted within 30-120 days of renewal expiration. Plans of Improvement (POI) for any noted deficiencies are required.

  • Fee: No fee

In addition to renewal reviews, individual licensed sites are also subject to the following review types: follow-up, complaint, and monitoring visits.

Each 24-hour group home must demonstrate continued compliance with ODHS licensing standards, which are defined in OAR 411-325-0010.​ Learn about the types of reviews​.

Children's 24-hour residential programs

​24-hour residential programs for children provide training and supports, in homes in the community, to children (until their 18th birthday) with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities that require 24-hour support, supervision and training. Programs provide an array of services for one to five children per home.

Note: This endorsement also requires Medicaid agency certification with endorsement to provide 24-hour residential services.​

​Programs endorsed and licensed under this type are responsible for providing room and board, monitoring and providing for the health, safety, dietary, behavioral, mental health and recreational needs as well as coordination with the educational program for each child. Ancillary services such as nursing, occupational therapy, speech therapy, behavioral consulting, etc., are available based on individual need. All 24-hour residential programs in Oregon are required to use the Individual Support Plan System, which defines the support services to be provided.

  • ​License cycle: Two years

Licensure Walk-Through - An application for each residential home must be submitted to I/DD Licensing along with indicated support documents (floor plan, lease or ownership agreement, walk-through check-list, application fee). Walk-through and applications for individual sites are not reviewed until an entity has been granted Medicaid Agency Certification. Upon review of the application information a licensing walk-through of the home will be scheduled. Any deficiencies will be noted and must be corrected, or variances accepted, prior to the licensure of the home.

  • Fee: Application for one to five person home - $30.00, six or more - $60.00

120-Day Licensing Review - After 120 days of home licensure, a full licensing review of the home and individuals living there will be conducted by a licensing team. The review will be unannounced. Any deficiencies will be documented in a full licensing report provided to the agency within approximately three to four weeks. Any deficiencies noted will require a written Plan of Improvement (POI) to be submitted to the department for review and acceptance.

​Licensure Renewal - Programs are contacted six months prior to the indicated renewal date with a request for updated information and renewal application. Reviews are normally conducted within 30-120 days of renewal expiration. Plans of Improvement (POI) for any noted deficiencies are required.

  • Fee: No fee

In addition to renewal reviews, individual licensed sites are also subject to the following review types: follow-up, complaint, and monitoring visits.

Each 24-hour group home must demonstrate continued compliance with ODHS licensing standards, which are defined in OAR 411-325-0010. Learn about the types of reviews​.

Employment endorsement

​Entities receiving the employment endorsement provider a variety of community-based employment services and supports offered in a range of settings to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

Oregon's Employment First policy supports the employment of individuals with developmental disabilities in fully integrated work settings as the highest priority over unemployment, segregated employment, day-support activities, or other non-workday activities.

For those who successfully achieve the goal of integrated employment, future service planning focuses on maintaining employment or considering additional career or advancement opportunities.

​Job Development (typically offered through Vocational Rehabilitation): Support to help an individual obtain competitive integrated employment through a variety of strategies.

Job Coaching: A job coach can support a person who is learning the new tasks of a job, and transitioning to a new environment. It might also include support to advance towards career goals.

As of July 1, 2015, the individual's job must pay minimum wage or better. ODDS has both initial and ongoing job coaching that may be available after the individual reaches a point of stabilization through VR.

Supported Small Group Employment Services: Support to work and further develop employment skills to help the person achieve competitive integrated employment. This service is provided in a regular business, industry, and community-integrated settings.

As of July 1, 2015, the individual's job must pay minimum wage or better and be provided in a manner that promotes integration in the work place. This service may be provided to a group of two to eight people with disabilities.

Discovery: This is a comprehensive and person-centered employment planning service to inform and guide an individual seeking competitive integrated employment.

Discovery includes a series of work or volunteer-related activities to inform the individual and the job developer about the individual's strengths, interests, abilities, skills, experiences, and support needs, as well as to identify the conditions or employment settings in which the individual will be successful. A discovery profile will also be developed as part of this process.

Employment Path Services (not in a sheltered workshop): A time-limited service that supports and individual in gaining work experience and developing skills that can be transferred to competitive, integrated employment.

  • ​Certification cycle: Five years

An application for endorsement to provide employment services is normally made at the same time as the application for Medicaid Agency Endorsement. Existing Medicaid-certified agencies may also elect to apply for the endorsement at a later date.

Along with the initial application, the employment endorsement requires the agency to provide additional supporting materials including, but not limited to, full agency policy and procedures specifically for the employment service as identified in OARs 411-345-0010 to 411-345-0270; business and financial documents to support the addition of the endorsement, personnel information, and criminal history checks/final fitness determinations.

  • Fee: No fee​


Entities with the employment endorsement are required to undergo, at minimum, one quality assurance review during the five-year certification period. All geographic locations under the agency's employment endorsement must have undergone required individual quality assurance reviews at their indicated intervals.

  • Fee: No fee

Entities are contacted several months prior to the indicated renewal date with a request for updated information and renewal application. Sites under review for this endorsement are given three days prior notice in order to assemble records at the required location.

Reviews are normally conducted within 30 to 120 days of certification expiration. Plans of improvement for any noted deficiencies are required. Entities holding the employment endorsement must demonstrate continued compliance with standards required by the department, which are defined in Oregon Administrative Rules 411-345-0010 to 411-345-0270.

Supported living endorsement

​An entity endorsed to provide supported living services provides individualized supports, delivered in a personalized manner, to individuals who live in the home of their choice such as an independent apartment or house. Levels of support are based on the individual's needs and preferences as defined and authorized in the Individual Support Plan (ISP).

Services include room and board and up to 24 hours of training and support, which promote opportunities for individuals to be a part of and participate in the community in which they live. Services must comply with standards required by the department for certification, which are defined in OAR 411-328-0550.

Note: This endorsement also requires Medicaid Agency Certification.


​Endorsed agencies provide direct support staff for up to 24 hours of training and support for the individual who promotes opportunities to be a part of and participate in the community in which they live. Direct care staff may also offer assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), appointment and transportation coordination and meal planning. In some instances, entities can help locate appropriate housing.

  • Certification cycle: Five years


​An application for endorsement to provide supported living services is normally made at the same time as the application for Medicaid Agency Endorsement. Existing Medicaid-certified agencies may also elect to apply for the endorsement at a later date. 

Along with the initial application, the supported living endorsement requires the agency to provide additional supporting materials including, but not limited to, full agency policy and procedures specifically for the supported living services as identified in OARs 411-328-0550 to 411-328-0790; business and financial documents to support the addition of the endorsement, personnel information, and criminal history checks/final fitness determinations.

  • Fee: No fee

Entities with the supported living endorsement are required to undergo, at minimum, one quality assurance review during the five-year certification period. All geographic locations under the agency's supported living endorsement must have undergone required individual quality assurance reviews at their indicated intervals.

  • Fee: No fee

Entities are contacted several months prior to the indicated renewal date with a request for updated information and renewal application. Locations under review for this endorsement are given three days prior notice in order to assemble records at the required location. Reviews are normally conducted within 30 to 120 days of certification expiration. Plans of improvement for any noted deficiencies are required.

Entities endorsed to provide supported living services must demonstrate continued compliance with standards required by the department, which are defined in OAR 411-328-0550 to 411-328-0790. ​

Support services brokerage

​Support Services Brokerages are entities which provide opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to design and manage supports they need to live in their own homes or in their family homes.

​Brokerages offer case management services, design formal and informal support strategies, gain access to a variety of private and public resources and coordinate assistance. In addition, the brokerage directs staff, fulfills employer responsibilities, contracts with certified provider organizations to provide services and monitors the quality of supports.

  • ​Certification cycle: Two years

​Initial: Oregon is no longer accepting new applications for support services brokerages.

Ongoing: The department will conduct a certification review of the certified support services brokerage prior to the renewal of the certificate. The review will be unannounced, be conducted 30 to 120 days prior to the expiration of the certificate and will review compliance with Oregon Administrative Rules.

Brokerages must demonstrate continued compliance with standards required by ODHS, which are defined in OAR 411-340-0010.

Provider organization certification

​A provider organization is an entity, certified by the department, selected by an individual receiving brokerage services, and paid with support services funds that:

  • Is primarily in business to provide supports for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities;
  • Provides supports for the individual through employees, contractors, or volunteers; and
  • Receives compensation to recruit, supervise, and pay the person who actually provides support for the individual.
  • ​License type: Five year certification

​Provider organizations provide direct supports as authorized by the Individual Support Plan (ISP) for the individual and contracted/authorized through the identified brokerage or local Community Developmental Disability Program (CDDP).

​Initial: Requires an initial application with the ODDS Licensing Unit as well as additional application materials including, but not limited to, full policy and procedures as identified in OAR 411-340; business and financial documents, personnel information and criminal history checks/final fitness determinations.

  • Fee: no fee

Ongoing: Provider organizations are required to undergo at minimum one quality assurance review during the five year certification period.

Entities are contacted several months prior to the indicated renewal date with a request for updated information. Reviews are normally conducted within 30 to 120 days of certification expiration. Plans of improvement for any noted deficiencies are required.

  • Fee: no fee

Provider organizations must demonstrate continued compliance with standards required by the department, which are defined in OAR 411-340-0010.

Adult foster care license

​Adult foster care homes provide 24-hours of support and services in a community home for adults with developmental disabilities. Foster homes are licensed to support up to five individuals with a specific designation describing specialized level of service:

Level 1: Basic Adult Foster Home (AFH) license. Provider/resident manager must have the equivalent of one year of full-time experience providing direct care and services to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Level 2B (Behavioral): If the provider serves or intends to serve more than one individual who exhibits behavior that poses a significant danger to the individual or others. Provider/resident manager must have two years of full-time experience providing care and services to support individuals who exhibit behaviors that pose a significant danger to the individual or others.

Level 2M (Medical): If the provider serves or intends to serve more than one individual who has a medical condition that is serious and may be life threatening. Provider/resident manager must have two years of full-time experience providing care and services to support individuals who have a medical condition that is serious and may be life threatening.

Limited: If the provider intends to provide care and services to a specific individual who is unrelated to the applicant but with whom the provider has an established relationship of no less than one year. The license is limited to on ly the care of the individual named on the license.

Provisional: If there is an emergency situation where the current licensed provider is no longer overseeing the operation of the adult foster home. A provisional license if valid for 60 days from the date of issue and is not renewable.​

​Foster providers or foster parents provide assistance with activities of everyday living, from grooming and eating to leisure activities, as well as access to services which help individuals maintain or increase their levels of independence. Room and board is included in the service.

  • ​License cycle: One year

​Initial Licensure: Individuals interested in applying to become a foster home must contact their local Community Developmental Disabilities office for initial application, testing requirements information and licensing.

Licensure Renewals: At least 60 days prior to the expiration of the license, a licensing packet will be sent to the provider for renewal. The licensing review will be conducted by the CDDP. Any noted deficiencies must be corrected and submitted to the CDDP.

I/DD adult foster care providers must demonstrate continued compliance with standards required by ODHS, which are defined in OAR 411-360​.​​

Child foster care license

​Child foster care homes provide 24 hours of support and services in a home setting for children with developmental disabilities. Foster homes are licensed to support up to five children. Specific designations may include:

Regular Certification: Home is certified by the department that is maintained and lived in by the person named on the foster home certificate.

Certified to provide care for a child with significant medical needs: Must have the equivalent of one year of full-time experience in providing direct care to individuals. Health care professional or the equivalent of two additional years of full-time experience providing care and support to an individual who has a medical condition that is serious and may be life threatening. Current first aid/CPR. Current references from at least two medical professionals.

​Foster providers or foster parents provide assistance with activities of everyday living, from grooming and eating to leisure activities, as well as access to educational services which help individuals maintain or increase their levels of independence. Room and board is included in the service.

  • ​License cycle: Two years

​Initial Licensure: Individuals interested in applying to become a foster home must contact their local Community Developmental Disabilities office for initial application, testing requirements information and licensing.

Licensure Renewals: At least 60 days prior to the expiration of the license, a licensing packet will be sent to the provider for renewal. The licensing review will be conducted by the CDDP. Any noted deficiencies must be corrected and submitted to the CDDP.

I/DD child foster care providers must demonstrate continued compliance with standards required by ODHS, which are defined in OAR 411-360​.​

Types of reviews

​Walk-Through (24-Hour Residential)

A physical walk-through inspection of the home or apartment after an initial application for a 24-hour home license. Homes must meet minimum physical requirements per the Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR). Any required alterations to the home must be completed and confirmed prior to issuance of the license. (Walk-through for licensure of an individual home site is not scheduled until an agency has fully completed Medicaid Agency Certification).

120-Day

A full licensing review that occurs after initial licensure and individuals have moved into the home. Reviews include observation, interviews, inspections of individual care documentation and physical evaluation of the site.

Renewal (24-Hour Residential)

A full licensing review conducted prior to the expiration of the 24-hour license (renewed every two years). Reviews include observation, interviews, inspections of individual care documentation and physical evaluation of the site.

Quality Assurance

Quality assurance reviews are completed at a minimum of every five years for supported living and employment services endorsements based on the previous licensing date.

Follow-up

Required when a home is not in substantial compliance with health and safety issues at the 120-day review, renewal or quality assurance reviews for supported living or employment.

Re-certification

Every five years a review is required for Medicaid providers, brokerages and provider organizations.

Complaint

A complaint review is directed by the licensing manager based on information from an outside source (CDDP, program staff, family, etc.) that services are not being provided or an individual’s health or safety is at risk or abuse/neglect may be occurring. The review will be unannounced. The review is a focused review on the specific licensing issues of concern but could lead to a full review based on what issues are found.