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Prospective I/DD Provider Agencies

Are you interested in becoming a service provider for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)?

The ODHS Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) licenses and certifies Medicaid agencies and foster care providers in Oregon's I/DD service system. Learn how to apply below. 

Medicaid agency applicationAdult foster home applicationChild foster home application

Medicaid agency application

Read this section if you're interested in becoming a certified Medicaid agency. This is for providers interested in the following services: 

  • 24-hour residental care for adults or children, Host homes, Employment, Supported living, Community living supports (standard model or employer model), Direct nursing services, and Positive behavior support services

As of January 2026, Oregon has more children's residential care beds than needed. There are over 150 empty beds, and fewer than 20 children referred for placement.

About children's 24-hour residential homes

These homes serve youth with complex needs. About 85% of the youth have both intellectual or developmental disabilities and mental health conditions. Around 35% are placed by ODHS Child Welfare or the Oregon Youth Authority.

A residential home provider is a part of a large team. This team may include the child's family, child welfare workers, attorneys, probation officers, juvenile justice staff, and others. Providers work closely with schools, therapists, doctors, and others. This work requires strong skills for navigating different systems. It also requires a commitment to putting the child's needs first.

Providers should be ready to:

  • Support children with I/DD and mental health needs
  • Provide structure, routine, and consistency
  • Train staff on behavioral support plans
  • Follow safety and medical protocols
  • Track goals and progress
  • Work with schools and community services

Changes to provider requirements

  • You must include a market study showing the need for your service in the area
  • ODDS will prioritize applications that meet unmet needs or offer services where they are not available
  • Providers must show financial stability
  • New residential providers will start with one licensed home, and must show success for two years before adding more
  • ODDS can deny a new home license if the provider is not successfully operating another home
  • ODDS can deny a license if there are serious unresolved violations

For more details: Read Oregon Administrative Rules 411-325-0025(2) and 0030(3).

1. Learn about different service​s and provider types.

Licensing services overview and provider types

  • Learn about your area's need for your proposed services.
  • Learn about the local referral process, case management monitoring requirements and case management resources.
  • Understand your Community Developmental Disabilities Program and Brokerage’s service-approval and payment processes.

2. Learn the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) for your service type.

  • Learn the standards and requirements you must meet and maintain.​
  • Executive Directors must meet the qualifications in OAR 411-323.

3. Pass the Medicaid Agency Orientation (MAO).

4. Make Payment: Use the Payment Portal​ for any application fees.

Licensing fee schedulePayment portal

  • Please review the fees.
  • You will need to pay for agency certification and the endorsements you choose.

5. ​Get your documents ready to upload with your online certified Agency Application.

  • You cannot save your application once you start. The online application takes about 10 minutes to finish.
  • ​A zip folder is the best option to upload your documents. Learn how to create a zip folder.
  • If you do not use a zip folder, you can only upload ten documents with a total size of 30MB. Please be aware of:
    • How many documents you have
    • The size of those documents

​ Documents you need for yo​ur application:

  • ​Executive Director documents
    1. Medicaid Agency Orientation (MAO) certificate
    2. Resume with three professional references, their phone and email
    3. Current background check
    4. CPR certificate
    5. Mandatory Abuse Training certificate
  • Business Documents
    1. Business pl​an
    2. Payment receipt
    3. Policies and procedures
    4. Policies and procedures checklist​
    5. Disclosure form(s)

If you have questions about this step, email​ dd.licensing@odhs.oregon.gov​.​

1. Fill out the online application.

Agency and Endorsement Application Form​

  • After you submit, we will send you an email to let you know we received your application.

2. ODDS licensing will review your application.

  • We may ask you questions or ask for more documents if any are missed.
  • Make sure to watch for any emails about documents.
  • Emails will come from a Smartsheet email address.
  • We will ask you to return documents by a deadline.
  • *Important* - We may close your application if you don't turn in documents by the deadline.

3. Order of Applications.

  • We will prioritize applications based on certain criteria.
    • Individual has unmet need that can be met by provider.
    • Lack of providers in geographic community.
    • Provider has specialized skills.
    • Applicants demonstrate fluency in a language other than English when an individual’s ability to benefit from or direct supports in that language.

This completes your initial Agency certification.

1. Provider Enrollment Unit will reach out to you about the Provider Enrollment Agency Agreement (PEAA) and Insurance requirements.

  • You can't be paid until the PEAA is signed and insurance requirements are met.
  • You will get a provider number once your PEAA has been accepted.
  • For more information about the PEAA or insurance requirements, email odds.providerenrollment@odhs.oregon.gov.

2. For 24-hour Residential and Host Homes: 

Adult foster home application

Read this section if you're interested in becoming a foster home provider for adults.

1. Learn about different services and provider types​.

2. Read the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs)​ you must know, understand and follow.

3. Read the Adult Foster Home Manual ​and watch training videos.​

4. Take the Adult Foster Home Basic Training test​.

5. Complete a new provider orientation.
  • Orientations completed through CDDPs between July 1 and Dec.​ 31, 2025 are also accepted, but applicants must provide proof of completion.
  • We will provide a virtual orientation in February 2026 for prospective providers interested in opening an AFH for individuals with I/DD.​

6. Designate a Qualified Entity Designee (QED) to initiate and submit background checks for your foster home.

7​. Make payment. Use the Payment Portal for any application fees.

Fee schedulePayment portal

8​. Get your documents ready to upload. Our application is online.

  • You can't ​save your application once you start.
  • Be aware of limits to uploading documents.
  • You can only upload ten documents with a total size of 30MB.
  • You may also upload a zip folder. The zip folder can hold more than ten documents.

9. ​Documents you need to upload with your initial application:

1. Fill out the online Foster Application​.

  • After you submit, we'll​ send you an email to let you know we received your application.

2. ODDS licensing will review the application.

  • We may ask you questions or ask for more documents if any are missed.
  • Make sure to watch for any emails about documents.
  • Emails will come from a Smartsheet email addre​ss.
  • We will ask you to return documents by a deadline.
    • ​Important ​- You​r application will be closed as incomplete if you don't turn in documents by the deadline.

After you receive your license​, the Provider Enrollment Unit will reach out to you to complete the Provider Enrollment Agreement (PEA). The PEA is your contract to provide care and services.

Child foster home application

Read this section if you're interested in becoming a foster home provider for children.

1. Learn about different services and provider types​.

2. Read the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) you must know, understand ​and follow.​

3. Complete 15 hours of pre-service ​training.

  • Providers can find trainings relevant to providing child foster care services to meet the 15 required hours. 
  • This includes local schools, community programs, online resources, videos and other training programs.

4​. Designate a Qualified Entity Designee (QED) to initiate and submit background checks for your foster home.

5. Get your documents ready to upload. Our application is online.

  • You can't ​save your application once you start.
  • Be aware of limits to uploading documents.
  • You can only upload ten documents with a total size of 30MB.
  • You may also upload a zip folder. The zip folder can hold more than ten documents.​

​ 6. Documents you need for your application:

1. Fill out the online Foster Application​.

  • After you submit, we'll​ send you an email to let you know we received your application.

2. ODDS licensing will review the application.

  • We may ask you questions or ask for more documents if any are missed.
  • Make sure to watch for any emails about documents.
  • Emails will come from a Smartsheet email addre​ss.
  • We will ask you to return documents by a deadline.
    • ​Important ​- You​r application will be closed as incomplete if you don't turn in documents by the deadline.​
  • We will schedule a time with you to follow-up about your autobiographical forms.

After you receive your license​, the Provider Enrollment Unit will reach out to you to complete the Provider Enrollment Agreement (PEA). The PEA is your contract to provide care and services.

  • You can't be paid until the PEA is complete and signed.
  • You will get a provider number once your PEA has been accepted.
  • For more information about the PEA​, email odds.providerenrollment@odhs.oregon.gov​.​