No
Nebraska's Olmstead Plan is a roadmap to a strong state where we can all live and work in our communities. The Olmstead Vision is “People with disabilities are living, learning, working, and enjoying life in the most integrated setting." If you have questions about Olmstead, you can email the Olmstead mailbox: DHHS.NEOlmstead@nebraska.gov.
The “Olmstead Plan" is named after a United States Supreme Court case.
In Olmstead v. L.C. the Supreme Court ruled people with disabilities have a right to lives of inclusion and integration. Disability is a normal part of life and we all benefit from communities made up of diverse people, life experiences, and abilities.
The Olmstead Case centered on two women, Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson. Both had disabilities and experienced going in and out of state run hospitals. Their doctors believed they could safely live in the community. Every time they left the hospital, they would go home without support and end up back in a hospital. They asked the State of Georgia to give them the help they needed to integrate into their communities and stop going into hospitals.
The Supreme Court agreed with Lois and Elaine. The Court ruled they should have the supports needed to live in their homes and communities. The court required states to provide services in the community to people with disabilities when:
- The services are appropriate;
- The person does not oppose community-based services; and
- The community-based services can be reasonably accommodated, taking into account the resources available and the needs of others receiving services.
The Nebraska Olmstead Plan for 2025-2032
Strengthening Pathways to Access: Nebraska's Olmstead Plan
A new Olmstead Plan, Strengthening Pathways to Access, serves as a 6-year strategic roadmap, outlining our commitment to ensuring that individuals with disabilities can live, learn, work, and enjoy life in the most integrated settings. This collaborative effort has resulted in a comprehensive plan, organized into broad goals and specific outcomes, reflecting the dedication of advocates and public servants in shaping the State's vision for the coming years.
This plan was submitted to the Legislature on July 29, 2025, as required by Neb. Rev. Stat. §81-6122.
Core Values
Nebraska's Olmstead Plan reflects the following fundamental beliefs in supporting individuals with disabilities. Nebraska is committed to:
- Person- and family-centered approaches.
- Ensuring the safety of, and an improved quality of life for, people with disabilities.
- Services that are readily available, at locations accessible to individuals in need and their families.
- Supporting individuals to live a meaningful life in the community they choose.
Guiding Principles
In addition to these Core Values, the following Guiding Principles serve as a foundation for Nebraska's Olmstead Plan:
- Self Determination and Choice: Individuals with disabilities and their families will be supported in controlling decisions about their lives, selecting from an array of services, supports, and providers.
- Independence and Least Restrictive: Individuals will receive services that maximize their full potential, in the least coercive manner and in the most natural settings possible to meet their needs.
- Use of Respectful Language: Including “People First" Language: Individuals with disabilities and their families will be treated with dignity and as individuals who have their own unique strengths, wishes, and desires.
- Evidence-Based Strategies: Individuals with disabilities and their families will have access to services and supports that adhere to evidence-based practices, in order to achieve the best outcomes.
- Services Across the Life Span: Nebraskans with disabilities will have access to age-appropriate services and supports from birth to end of life.
- Safety: Nebraskans with disabilities will be served in environments that are free from abuse and neglect, and that meet ADA compliance standards for health and well-being.
- Diversity: Services will honor the geographical differences, race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic, and gender identities of all individuals with disabilities.
- Inclusion: All individuals with any type of disability will have the opportunity to live, learn, work and socialize with members of their community who do not have disabilities.
- Integration: Services and supports will afford individuals with disabilities the opportunity to live as neighbors in, and to participate as active members of, their communities.
- Accountability: The systems and services that support individuals with disabilities will be accountable to Nebraska's state administration, legislature, taxpaying citizens, and most importantly, to those they serve.
Seven Goals
Nebraska's vision is for all individuals with disabilities to live, learn, work, and enjoy life in the most integrated setting of their choosing. This Plan sets forth the following goals in order to achieve this vision.
- Goal 1: Nebraskans with disabilities will have access to individualized community-based services and supports that meet their needs and preferences.
- Goal 2: Nebraskans with disabilities will have access to safe, affordable, accessible housing in the communities in which they choose to live.
- Goal 3: Nebraskans with disabilities will receive services in the settings most appropriate to meet their needs and preferences.
- Goal 4: Nebraskans with disabilities will have increased access to education and choice in competitive, integrated employment opportunities.
- Goal 5: Nebraskans with disabilities will have access to affordable and accessible transportation statewide.
- Goal 6: Individuals with disabilities will receive services and supports that reflect data-driven decision-making, improvement in the quality of services, and enhanced accountability across systems.
- Goal 7: Nebraskans with disabilities will receive services and supports from a high-quality workforce.
Nebraska Olmstead Advisory Committee
Upcoming Meeting
Meetings of the Olmstead Advisory Committee are subject to the Open Meetings Act. The Advisory Committee needs 11 people to meet quorum.
January 28, 2026
9:00 AM, Central Time - This is a HYBRID meeting. Members do not need to attend in-person in order to count for quorum or participate in voting.
- To attend in-person: Nebraska Department of Education, 500 S 84th St, Lincoln, NE.
- To attend virtually:
The membership of the Olmstead Advisory Committee is outline in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-6,122 requiring broad representation including individuals with disabilities, organizations, and advocates.
Name, Representing
- Trish Bergman, Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, Area Agency on Aging
- Stacy Bliss, Ph.D, Mental Health Practitioner
- Kim Davis, Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Dianne DeLair, Disability Rights Nebraska, Protection and Advocacy System for Nebraska
- Jody Faltys, Nebraska Statewide Independent Living Council
- Lindy Foley, Division of Rehabilitation Services in the State Department of Education
- Timothy Heller, State Advisory Committee on Mental Health Services
- Kathy Hoell, Self-Advocate, expert in programs serving persons with disabilities
- Patti Jurjevich, Region Six Behavioral Healthcare, Behavioral Health Regions
- Kristen Larson, Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities
- Mary Phillips, The Arc of Nebraska, organization that advocates for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
- Tobias Orr, Assistive Technology Partnership
- Melissa Lemmer, Mental Health Association, advocate for persons with Mental Illness
- Kierstin Reed, Leading Age Nebraska, expert in programs serving persons with disabilities
- Lorie Regier, Advisory Committee on Developmental Disabilities
- Peggy Reisher, Brain Injury Alliance, advocate for persons with Brain Injuries
- Carlos Servan, Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Mark Smith, Advocate, expert in programs serving persons with disabilities
- Susan Tatum, Lincoln Housing Authority, Housing Authority in a City of the Primary or Metropolitan Class
- Joni Thomas, Self-Advocate, expert in programs serving persons with disabilities
- Joe Valenti, Advocate, expert in programs serving persons with disabilities
Member list updated January 2026.
The Olmstead Advisory Committee has workgroups for:
- Community Supports - Third Wednesday of each month, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Central Time
- Housing - Second Monday of each month, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Central Time
- Education - Third Wednesday of each Month, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Central Time
- Employment - First Monday of each month, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Central Time
- Transportation - Fourth Thursday of each month, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Central Time
*Workgroups do not meet on state holidays and may be rescheduled without public notice.
Workgroups include people with disabilities who can share lived experience in these areas. To join a group, email the Olmstead mailbox: DHHS.NEOlmstead@nebraska.gov.
Advisory Committee Documents
Items are moved to this section after meetings occur. Minutes are posted after committee approval.
- 2024 Partners for Insightful Evaluations:
- Partners for Insightful Evaluations (PIE) were selected through a competitive bidding process to evaluate the progress made in achieving the goals of the Olmstead Plan and make recommendations for future updates and revisions to the Plan.
- The evaluation of the Plan, completed by PIE, will be submitted to the Legislature by December 14, 2024 as directed by Neb. Rev. Stat. §81-6122.
- Evaluation Resources
- 2024 Plan: A New Vision for Community Integration: Nebraska's Olmstead Plan
- The refreshed 2024 Olmstead Plan serves as a strategic roadmap, outlining our commitment to ensuring that individuals with disabilities can live, learn, work, and enjoy life in the most integrated settings.
- This collaborative effort has resulted in a comprehensive plan, organized into broad goals, specific outcomes, and annual benchmarks, reflecting the dedication of advocates and public servants in shaping the State's vision for the coming years.
- Olmstead Fact Sheet - This is available in additional languages in our Other Language Section.
Resources