In April 2022, Nebraska Legislature passed LB376. The Governor's DD Advisory Council has been tasked with strategic oversight of LB376. The Council is working with the Division of Developmental Disabilities on the tasks outlined.
Family Support Program - A New HCBS Waiver
B376 directs DHHS to develop a Family Support Waiver. This will be a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver with developmental disabilities eligibility requirements.
The intent of the waiver is to help eliminate unmet needs for children in Nebraska. The new waiver will serve up to 850 children with developmental disabilities. Each participant will have a maximum annual budget of $10,000.
- April 2022 - LB376 signed in to law
- June 2022 - Internal planning and development begins
- August 2022 - Stakeholder engagement begins
- August 2022 - Regulation development begins
- October 2022 - Family Support Waiver development begins
- April 2023 - Tribal and public comment period for draft Family Support Waiver
- May 2023 - Policy and procedure development begins
- June 2023 - Training begins
- July 2023 - Submit application to CMS for Family Support Waiver
- July 2023 - Begin regulation promulgation
- December 2023 - Implementation of Family Support Waiver
Informational presentations regarding the Family Support Waiver.
- Presentation to DD Advisory Council - December 1, 2022
- Initial Listening Sessions - November 1 and 2, 2022
An important part of the Family Support Waiver process is receiving and responding to stakeholder feedback.
- October 13 - 27, 2023 - Family Support Waiver Engagement Survey
- November 1 and 2, 2023 - Listening Sessions (see presentation section for slides and recording)
- Once the Family Support Waiver is drafted, a 30-day public comment period will be held.
System Evaluation
LB376 directs DHHS to review the current system. DHHS signed with CBIZ Optumas with Myers and Stauffer to complete the evaluation of all Nebraska HCBS waivers. DHHS will receive best practice recommendations and comparisons to other states.
- April 2022 - LB376 signed in to law
- June 2022 - Internal planning begins
- September 16, 2022 - Signed with CBIZ Optumas with Myers and Stauffer
- November 1, 2023 - DHHS will receive the final report
Information will be added as available.
The process will include stakeholder engagement, particularly from families and participants served on existing HCBS waivers and those waiting for a DD Waiver slot.
To submit questions or comments about the System Evaluation, call (877) 667-6266 or email NE_DDSystemEval@mslc.com.