The Virginia QDDP Guide: What Developmental Disability Providers Need to Know
A practical guide to QDDP qualifications, responsibilities, contracted QDDP support, and the role QDDPs may play in Virginia's developmental disability service system.
What is a QDDP?
A Qualified Developmental Disability Professional (QDDP) is a professional who meets Virginia's established experience and credential requirements for working within developmental disability services. Under Virginia's DBHDS licensing regulations, a QDDP must have at least one year of documented experience working directly with individuals who have developmental disabilities and meet one of the qualifying professional or educational criteria.
QDDPs may play an important role in helping developmental disability providers translate regulatory and person-centered planning requirements into day-to-day service delivery. Depending on the service and provider structure, QDDP responsibilities may include person-centered planning, ISP Part V development and oversight, documentation review, quarterly Person-Centered Reviews, monitoring progress toward outcomes, identifying support needs and risks, and assisting providers with ongoing compliance activities.
The exact responsibilities of a QDDP can vary depending on the service being provided, the individual's needs, and applicable DBHDS and DMAS requirements.
Virginia regulatory reference: 12VAC35-105-20, Definitions
Who qualifies as a QDDP in Virginia?
Virginia's DBHDS licensing regulations define a QDDP as a person who has at least one year of documented experience working directly with individuals who have developmental disabilities and who also possesses a qualifying professional credential or educational background.
Under 12VAC35-105-20, qualifying pathways include a physician or doctor of osteopathy licensed in Virginia, a registered nurse licensed in Virginia, a licensed occupational therapist, or completion of at least a bachelor's degree in a human services field. The regulation identifies fields such as sociology, social work, special education, rehabilitation counseling, and psychology as examples.
Virginia's Medicaid DD Waiver regulations also define QDDP qualifications and require at least one year of documented direct developmental disability experience along with qualifying education or professional credentials. Providers should verify the requirements applicable to the particular service and position rather than relying on job title alone.
Virginia regulatory references: 12VAC35-105-20 and 12VAC30-122-20
What does a QDDP actually do?
A QDDP's specific responsibilities depend on the services being provided, the provider's organizational structure, and the applicable DBHDS and Medicaid requirements. In practice, QDDPs often provide professional oversight that helps connect person-centered planning, service documentation, regulatory requirements, and the individual's actual supports.
Depending on the provider and service, QDDP responsibilities may include:
• Developing or reviewing ISP Part V Plans for Supports
• Reviewing service documentation and monitoring implementation of individualized supports
• Evaluating progress toward person-centered outcomes
• Completing or reviewing quarterly Person-Centered Reviews
• Identifying changes in needs, risks, or supports that may require updates to the ISP
• Providing guidance to staff regarding individualized support instructions and documentation expectations
• Supporting documentation audits and regulatory compliance activities
• Monitoring service authorization and WaMS-related information relevant to provider services
• Coordinating with provider leadership, direct support staff, Support Coordinators, and other members of the individual's support team
Virginia regulations place responsibility on providers to implement person-centered ISPs, keep Plans for Supports current when required, evaluate progress, and complete quarterly ISP reviews. Employees and contractors responsible for implementing an ISP must also demonstrate working knowledge of the individual's objectives, strategies, and detailed health and safety protocols.
Because requirements differ across services, providers should determine which responsibilities require QDDP involvement based on the specific service regulations, Medicaid requirements, licensing expectations, and their organizational structure.
Virginia regulatory references: 12VAC35-105-660, 12VAC35-105-665, 12VAC35-105-675, and 12VAC30-122-190
How does a QDDP support the ISP Part V, quarterly reviews, and WaMS?
ISP Part V, quarterly Person-Centered Reviews, and WaMS are connected components of Virginia's developmental disability service planning and oversight process, but they serve different purposes.
ISP Part V – Plan for Supports: Part V is the provider-completed portion of the Individual Support Plan. It translates the individual's identified outcomes and support needs into the specific activities, instructions, frequency, and individualized supports the provider will implement. QDDP support may include developing or reviewing Part V content, ensuring supports are individualized and appropriate to the service, and helping maintain alignment between the written plan and actual service delivery.
Quarterly Person-Centered Reviews: Quarterly reviews evaluate what has occurred during the review period and the individual's progress toward identified outcomes. QDDP involvement may include reviewing service documentation, evaluating progress or lack of progress, identifying changes in needs or risks, and determining whether current support strategies remain appropriate or should be revised.
WaMS: Virginia's Waiver Management System houses the DD Waiver ISP and supports service authorization and other waiver-related processes. Providers complete applicable provider portions of the ISP and may submit or maintain information needed for service authorization processes. QDDP support may include monitoring provider information in WaMS, reviewing documentation associated with service authorizations, and helping address provider-side documentation concerns.
The Support Coordinator has separate responsibilities within WaMS. For example, DBHDS guidance states that after providers complete Part V and submit it in WaMS, the Support Coordinator reviews the plan to determine whether it addresses the individual's outcomes and support needs and meets requirements for the particular service. The Support Coordinator also has responsibility for reviewing and submitting service authorization requests for processing. Virginia DBHDS
Effective coordination among the individual, provider, QDDP, Support Coordinator, and other members of the support team helps keep the ISP, provider documentation, service delivery, and authorization information aligned.
Virginia/DBHDS references: DBHDS Individual Support Plan Guidance; DBHDS Support Coordination Handbook
When might a Virginia DD provider need QDDP support?
Developmental disability providers may seek QDDP support at different stages of their organization. Some providers need comprehensive ongoing oversight, while others may need targeted assistance with a particular area of service planning, documentation, or compliance.
QDDP support may be particularly helpful when a provider is:
• Preparing to begin services or establishing its documentation systems
• Developing or revising ISP Part V Plans for Supports
• Managing quarterly Person-Centered Review requirements across a growing caseload
• Identifying recurring documentation deficiencies or inconsistencies
• Strengthening documentation audits and internal quality-review processes
• Monitoring service authorizations and provider-side WaMS activity
• Addressing changes in an individual's needs, risks, outcomes, or support strategies
• Preparing for licensing or other compliance reviews
• Expanding services or experiencing growth that increases oversight demands
• Seeking additional technical guidance regarding person-centered documentation and provider requirements
The appropriate level of QDDP support depends on the provider's licensed services, number of individuals served, existing staff structure, documentation systems, and areas requiring professional oversight. QDDP involvement should complement—not replace—the provider's responsibility for maintaining compliant services and implementing the individual's ISP.
Choosing QDDP support for your organization
Choosing QDDP support should involve more than confirming that an individual meets the minimum qualification requirements. Providers should consider the professional's experience with the specific services being delivered, familiarity with Virginia's developmental disability system, understanding of person-centered planning and documentation requirements, and ability to provide consistent oversight and practical guidance.
Providers may also want to consider how QDDP support will fit into their existing operations. Clear expectations regarding responsibilities, communication, documentation review, timelines, collaboration with provider staff, and coordination with Support Coordinators can help establish an effective working relationship.
Most importantly, QDDP support should contribute to meaningful, person-centered services rather than functioning solely as a documentation requirement. Strong professional oversight can help providers connect the individual's ISP, daily service documentation, progress toward outcomes, identified support needs, and regulatory responsibilities into a consistent system of service delivery.
QDDP Support from Bird's Eye View
Bird's Eye View provides comprehensive QDDP and compliance support to developmental disability service providers throughout Virginia. Our services include ISP Part V development and oversight, quarterly Person-Centered Reviews, documentation audits, WaMS and service authorization monitoring, compliance support, policy and procedure development, risk management, and ongoing provider consultation.
Whether your organization needs ongoing QDDP support or assistance with a specific area of documentation or compliance, our approach is designed around the needs of your organization and the individuals you support.
Official Virginia Resources
Providers should consult current Virginia regulations and agency guidance when determining requirements applicable to their specific services. The following official resources provide additional information about QDDP qualifications, Individual Support Plans, quarterly reviews, DD Waiver services, and related requirements:
Virginia Administrative Code – QDDP Definition and Qualifications
12VAC35-105-20
Virginia Administrative Code – Individualized Services Plan
12VAC35-105-660
Virginia Administrative Code – ISP Requirements
12VAC35-105-665
Virginia Administrative Code – Reassessments and ISP Reviews
12VAC35-105-675