MEDIA CONTACT
Alycia Davis, (531) 249-8079,
alycia.davis@nebraska.gov
Lincoln – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is hosting a second public comment period for the drafted Family Support Waiver (FSW). The 30-day public comment period is from September 8, 2023, through October 8, 2023.
The intent of this waiver is to provide support for children and families experiencing a developmental disability 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.
“Hearing feedback from Nebraskan families, individuals, providers, and advocates is a vital milestone in drafting an effective waiver," said Developmental Disabilities Division Director Tony Green. “The engagement and participation of Nebraskans supporting their fellow community members with developmental or intellectual disabilities will help ensure the development of a robust waiver that will support families across Nebraska for years to come."
Putting the draft of the FSW to public comment is an important part not only in the implementation of LB376, which was passed in 2022 but in the development and growth of the Home and Community-Based Services in our state. LB376 called for an FSW that would provide for the needs of families caring for children with developmental disabilities with the goal of maintaining family units and avoiding out-of-home placement. This waiver meets those goals through a combination of familiar services as well as brand-new services developed specifically for the FSW.
DHHS's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) will be hosting two public comment sessions for interested persons to learn more and submit comments about the drafted FSW. The sessions will be held:
- September 18 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (CT)
- September 19 from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (CT)
Beginning September 8, 2023, the drafted HCBS waiver application and virtual meetings information will be posted at https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/DD-Public-Comment.aspx. A hard copy of the waiver application can be requested via mail, email, or phone at (402) 471-9156.
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments. Written comments must be postmarked or received by October 8, 2023. Public comments may be submitted via:
- Email: DHHS.HCBSPublicComments@nebraska.gov
- Fax: (402) 471-8792
- Mail: DHHS – Division of Developmental Disabilities, 301 Centennial Mall South, P.O. Box 95026, Lincoln, NE 68509-5026
After the public comment period, when submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the HCBS waiver will include a summary of the public comments received during the public input process, and if any comments were not adopted, the reasons why. The summary will also specify any modifications made to the waiver as a result of the public input process.
Through this waiver, DDD hopes that individuals and their families will have the services and support they need to grow, thrive, and prepare themselves for adulthood. Your feedback is important and we would like to hear from you.