March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life, as well as awareness to the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.
The intent of the Developmental Disabilities Act and the Council is to reverse the historical bias against people with disabilities by focusing on five major goals areas:
- Independence
- Productivity
- Integration
- Inclusion
- Self-Determination
Person-Centered Planning
DHHS and the Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities are launching a new Person-Centered Planning Initiative to reinvigorate person-centered supports for all Nebraska's Home and Community-Based Services Waivers.
Person-centered planning is a process-oriented approach empowering people to plan their life, find their voice, and work toward reaching their goals. The goal of person-centered planning is to support participants to be the center of planning their supports and goals.
For more information, please visit the Person-Centered Planning webpage.
The Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities is located within the Division of Public Health in the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
DD Council Staff
Kristen Larsen, Executive Director: (402) 471-0143![]( "Call: (402) 471-0143")
Joni Dulaney, Program Specialist: (402) 471-0151![]( "Call: (402) 471-0151")
Nikki Krause, Administrative Assistant: (402) 471-2330![]( "Call: (402) 471-2330")
Councils on Developmental Disabilities Formed in Federal Law:
- Created by the Developmental Disabilities Act (DD Act) in 1970.
- Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - federal agency responsible for oversight.
- Funded in every State and Territory of the United States - represents a Federal-State partnership in developing futures for and with people with developmental disabilities and their families.
- Governor appoints twenty-five Council members to a three-year term; more than 60% of members are people with developmental disabilities or family members.
What we do
Priorities identified in a five-year state plan focus on improving the system of supports for persons with disabilities and their families. Goals concentrate on persons who experience a severe disability that occurs before the age of twenty-two, including persons with physical disabilities, mental/behavioral health conditions, and developmental disabilities. Support systems across the lifespan are examined.
The Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities:
- Awards subawards to various agencies, organizations, and other entities to address gaps and barriers in the system.
- Identifies legislation introduced and educates policymakers on the impact of these bills on persons with developmental disabilities.
- Presents testimony at relevant hearings and follows applicable regulation development.
- Serves on committees to ensure discussions include needs of persons with developmental disabilities.