Becoming a provider

Becoming a provider

If you are interested in becoming a provider of Home and Community Based Medicaid (Indiviudal Options or Level 1 Waiver) Services to individuals with developmental disabilities, you must be certified through the  Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD). Applications to become a certified provider must be obtained online from the DODD directly. Neither the state of Ohio nor the County Board mails application packets to individuals or agencies interested in becoming a provider.

To download an application, please visit the DODD website www.dodd.ohio.gov. Information about certification requirements and the application are found on the state website under "For Providers". The application itself will explain what is required.  Please read it carefully.

Training Requirements:

The Application process requires that potential providers complete eight hours of training and submit the evidence of that training with their application. For training resources, click here. 


What to do once you’ve been certified: 

Once you have received both letters of approval (an Initial Letter and a Final Letter of Approval) copies must be submitted to Summit DD Board. You can send copies of those letters via email to newproviders@summitdd.org or fax them to Karla Burgess at 330-634-8813. You could also mail them to or drop them off with the receptionist at our administrative complex located at 89 E. Howe Rd., Tallmadge, OH 44278. Please send them to the attention of Karla Burgess.

You must include an email address and phone number where you can be reached. Your information will be entered into our systems and you will receive email notification regarding how to access the following two sites:


• The Provider Search Tool  is the application where individuals, families, guardians and SSAs can go to search for providers and find out information about every provider. Your information will be entered into this application and you will have access to update your contact information and a tool in which you can promote your business.  This is an excellent opportunity to tell everyone about your experiences and the services you provide.

• If you add new certifications (services), please send a copy of the final letter of approval for additional services to us so we can add those certifications to your profile.

• The Referral Portal is the application where SSAs post requests for providers to provide services. Providers can go into this application and see profiles of individuals who are currently looking for a provider and contact the SSA if they are interested providing the identified services.  If is important that as a provider, you read carefully each profile to detemine if you are able to provide the services identified.  Many individuals require that a provider have a specific skill, experience or require specific equipment or accomodations. You will receive instructions on accessing this site when you receive access to the Provider Search Tool.

If you have any changes to your address, phone number, email , etc, please send these changes to newproviders@summitdd.org.

Any questions you have about how to become a certified waiver provider should be directed to Beth Loeffler. She can be reached by phone at 330-634-8810 or email at eloeffler@summitdd.org.