Along the Way Guides
The Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities announces the release of updated Along the Way guides, a series of resource guides for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families as they move through the stages of life. This series is based upon a core belief that all people should be given the opportunity to live, love, work, play, and pursue their chosen life.
Updates to the guides include verified website links, contact information, and phone numbers; reformatting for improved readability; and additional, new resources. Find these guides under the Resources tab.
NEW - The Along the Way guides have been translated into Spanish and can be found under the Resources tab.
The intent of the Developmental Disabilities Act and the Council is to reverse the historical bias against individuals with disabilities by focusing on five major goals areas:
- Independence
- Productivity
- Integration
- Inclusion
- Self-Determination
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
Rachel Ward, Program Specialist: (402) 471-0151
Edith Titamoh, Program Specialist: (402) 471-6713
Nikki Krause, Administrative Support: (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 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
- Governor appoints twenty-five Council members to a three-year term; more than 60% of members are individuals with developmental disabilities or family members.
- How State Councils on Developmental Disabilities achieve the vision of the DD Act.
What we do
Priorities identified in a five-year state plan focus on improving the system of supports for individuals with disabilities and their families. Goals concentrate on individuals who experience a severe disability that occurs before the age of twenty-two, including individuals with physical disabilities, mental/behavioral health conditions, and developmental disabilities. Support systems across the lifespan are examined.
The Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities:
- Awards funding* to various agencies, organizations, and other entities to address gaps and barriers in the system identified in the Council's State Plan;
- Identifies legislation introduced and provides education and technical assistance to legislators and policymakers on the impact of these bills on individuals with developmental disabilities;
- Presents testimony at relevant hearings and follows applicable regulation development; and
- Participates in workgroups, advisory committees, task forces, and coalitions that affect policy-making at the state level to ensure discussions include needs of individuals with developmental disabilities.
*The Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $527,570 with 100% funding by ACL/HHS. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusion. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Email List
Want to stay up to date? Sign up for our stakeholder email list! You will receive emails about upcoming educational opportunities, when Requests for Applications for subawards are released, Council funded activities, local and federal information affecting the DD community, and more. To sign up, send an email to: dhhs.ddcouncil@nebraska.gov.