How to become a CDS provider
DADS conducts open enrollments for entities interested in becoming a Consumer Directed Service agency (CDSA). CDSAs deliver financial management services (FMS) to an individual who participates in the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) option and chooses the CDSA as their FMS provider. Entities must attend a CDSA enrollment training held by DADS and pass a certification test before requesting a contract. For training information, click here.
Contracting to provide services
To be eligible to provide services and receive reimbursement for these services, a provider agency must meet certain eligibility criteria. Rules regarding program and contracting requirements can be found in Title 40 of the Texas Administrative Code as follows:
Regarding requirements to enroll as a CDSA, an applicant does not need to take the training otherwise required if the applicant provided CDSA services to individuals served by DADS or STAR+PLUS managed care organizations in the 12 months prior to the date of the application for a CDSA contract.
For more information about DADS provider enrollment process and requirements, please click here.
An individual or entity must complete an application to provide Financial Management Services as a CDSA. Once you have met the minimum eligibility criteria, you may review the required application documents by clicking on the link below.
The forms may be downloaded for completion. Completed forms and any additional required information should be mailed to:
Regular mail
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
Community Services Contracts Unit
Mail Code
W-357
P.O. Box 149030
Austin, TX 78714-9030
Overnight/Express delivery
Department of Aging and Disability Services
Community Services Contracts Unit
Mail Code
W-357
701 West 51st St.
Austin, TX 78751
Should you have any questions regarding the enrollment process for these programs, contact the Community Services Contracts Unit at 512-438-3550. Please be advised that contract applications must be submitted by mail to the address above and may not be submitted electronically or by facsimile.
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Criminal history records requests
DADS requires a Consumer Directed Services agency (CDSA) contract applicant to submit criminal history record information unless the applicant has a DADS Home and Community Support Services Agency license. DADS must receive criminal history record information from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) for each individual who:
- has an ownership or control interest. This means a person or legal entity, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, firm, corporation, association, limited partnership, limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, estate or other entity that:
- has an ownership interest totaling 5 percent or more in an applicant’s legal entity;
- has an indirect ownership interest equal to 5 percent or more in an applicant’s legal entity;
- has a combination of direct and indirect ownership interests equal to 5 percent or more in an applicant’s legal entity;
- is an officer or director of an applicant that is organized as a corporation;
- is a partner of an applicant that is organized as a partnership;
- is an agent of an applicant which means any person who has been delegated the authority to obligate or act on behalf of an applicant; or
- is a managing employee of an applicant which means a general manager, business manager, administrator, director, or other individual who exercises operational or managerial control over, or who directly or indirectly conducts the day-to-day operation of an applicant’s legal entity.
DPS has entered into an exclusive contract with L-1 Enrollment Services to provide statewide electronic fingerprinting for criminal history record requests. Individuals must schedule an appointment at a Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) location to complete their criminal history record request. Once fingerprinting has been completed, FAST will electronically send the request to DPS which will in turn send the results to DADS, as requested by the individual.
Please note there are fees associated with acquiring criminal history records. In addition, DPS will not expedite last minute requests for criminal history record information. All criminal history records requests must be completed within 45 days from the date DADS receives your application.
The easiest way to complete this requirement is to schedule an appointment online with Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST). Appointments can also be scheduled by phone at 1-888-467-2080. A list of all FAST locations in Texas and their hours can be found online. The cost of this service is $9.95 plus a $15 fee for the criminal history.
How to schedule appointment online
- Go to www.l1enrollment.com.
- Select "Texas" as the location.
- Click on "Online Scheduling."
- Select preferred language, click "Begin Registration."
- Enter First and Last Name, then click "Go."
- Select "All Others" as the reason you are being fingerprinted.
- Select "Option A" to submit fingerprints electronically to DPS.
- Select "No, I do not have a FAST Fingerprint Pass."
- Select "Apply to be a Medicaid Provider" and click "Next Step."
- Enter "txireview" (lowercase, one word with no spaces) as the Agency/ORI Number and click "Next Step."
- You will be prompted to enter the mailing information of the recipient of the criminal history record. All requests should be sent to DADS, not to the person being fingerprinted. Enter the following in the corresponding fields:
Designated Recipient: DADS ATTN: Community Services Contracts – Enrollment Mail Code W-357;
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 149030;
City: Austin;
ZIP Code: 78714; and
click "Next Step."
Enter your ZIP code or choose which region and click "Next Step."
- Find the location that best suits you and select the day you wish to schedule your appointment by clicking on "Click to Schedule." A window of times will display; select your desired time and click go.
- Complete the personal information form and select a method of payment. Click "Send Information" to go to the next step.
- Review the information you entered and print the final page for your records. An e-mail confirming your appointment will be sent to the e-mail address provided.
When you attend your appointment, you must obtain a receipt for the transaction. A copy of this receipt must be submitted with your application.
How out-of-state applicants submit criminal history records
An out-of-state applicant must obtain a criminal history record from DPS using the following instructions:
- Obtain fingerprint records from the department of public safety in the state where the applicant lives.
- Prepare a letter to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). In the letter,
- Request a criminal record search for employment purposes.
- Request to have the results sent to the following address:
Community Services Contracts Mail Code W-357
P.O. Box 149030
Austin, TX 78714
- Enclose the following items in the letter
- Fingerprint records.
- Check for $15.00 made to DPS. (Note: A single check can be written in increments of $15.00 to request searches for multiple people. For example a check of $60.00 would cover 4 record searches).
- Mail the letter, fingerprint records and check to the following DPS address:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Service
PO Box 15999
Austin TX 78761-5999
DADS may require an applicant to provide additional information regarding the certification of criminal history information.
DADS, at its discretion, may reject an application if the applicant or any person with an ownership or controlling interest in the applicant or an agent or managing employee of the applicant has been convicted of any criminal offense listed in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 1, Part 15, Chapter 371, Subchapter G, Division 4, §371.1685. DADS may also reject an application based on an applicant’s failure to comply with the requirements.
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Updated:
March 8, 2013
