Nebraska Association of Service Providers

06/17/2026

06/11/2026

OMB's Proposed Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance.

Big changes may be coming to federal grant rules. The proposed OMB rule for federal financial assistance could mean more oversight, more reporting, and tighter controls on how grant dollars are awarded and used.

For nonprofits, schools, researchers, and community organizations, that could translate into more paperwork, slower funding access, and less flexibility in day-to-day grant management.

The comment period is open now, with comments due July 13, 2026.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposes to revise the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance to improve government- wide policies and requirements related to the management of grants, cooperative agreements, and other forms of assistance. OMB is proposing revisions that would...

06/10/2026

Interim Final Rule on Medicaid Work and Community Engagement Requirements:

This CMS action is on how state run Medicaid may impact people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by changing how easily they can qualify, keep coverage, and get services through managed care or state programs. The biggest practical impact for I/DD Medicaid recipients is usually on access to Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), care coordination, prior authorization rules, and how much paperwork or red tape families have to navigate.

For people with I/DD the change matters most if it affects:
Eligibility and renewals because any added complexity can interrupt coverage.

Managed care oversight because stronger CMS rules can improve accountability for service access and appeals.
Case management and person-centered planning because those supports are often critical for getting the right services at the right time.

So the simple takeaway is: this kind of rule does not usually change the diagnosis-based need for services, but it can change how easy it is to get and keep those services in Medicaid.

The CMS/HHS federal register rule or regulation package is tied to Medicaid and related programs, covering 42 CFR parts 431, 435, 438, 457, and 600. The materials are related to State administration and managed care, eligibility, and broader program requirements within CMS’s regulatory structure.

This interim final rule with comment period (IFC) interprets and implements the community engagement requirement in Medicaid under section 1902(xx) of the Social Security Act. States are required to implement the new requirement no later than January 1, 2027. This IFC specifies the requirements...

06/09/2026

The FY 2027 Labor-HHS-Education bill could have real consequences for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While it protects some health and workforce priorities, the overall funding cut may:

*Place funding pressure on Medicaid-adjacent supports, workforce development, and community-based service capacity.

*Reductions in domestic program growth may make it harder to expand waiver slots, address staffing shortages, or keep pace with rising service costs.

*Stronger support for rural health and workforce programs could help in some communities, but that does not fully offset broader cuts.

*A shift of more authority to states may create uneven outcomes, depending on each state’s budget and priorities.

*If federal research and public health funding is reduced, there may be fewer resources for improving service systems, data, and best practices.

06/04/2026

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06/04/2026

The CMS rule titled “Medicaid Program; Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals” establishes a new federal framework requiring some adults ages 19 to 64 to meet a monthly community engagement standard to qualify for Medicaid coverage. The requirement is generally 80 hours per month of work, job training, education, or community service, with certain exemptions for groups such as pregnant people, postpartum individuals, people with disabilities, medically frail enrollees, caregivers, and Native American/Alaska Native individuals.

CMS says states must generally implement the requirement by January 1, 2027, and the rule sets expectations for state eligibility systems, verification, reporting, and beneficiary communication. It also allows states to adopt short term hardship exceptions in some circumstances and provides a federal implementation framework for affected states.

In plain language, this rule changes Medicaid eligibility for a subset of adults by tying coverage to work related or community based activity, while carving out exemptions for people with qualifying health or caregiving circumstances.

05/28/2026

This story is rooted in love, loss, and an unwavering commitment to seeing people for who they truly are.

Her journey began with her sister, Katlyn, her “end all, be all.” Katlyn lived with Prader-Willi Syndrome, autism, and complex medical needs that required constant care. Growing up alongside Katlyn didn’t just shape Heather’s childhood, it shaped her entire life. Every decision she made, including becoming a nurse, was driven by her love for Katlyn and the desire to give others the same care and dignity her sister had.

Working as a pediatric home health nurse, she entered the homes of children with similar needs. Each child left a lasting imprint on her heart, just like her sister had. Then, in a moment that would change everything, she was asked to take in a little girl in foster care who had nowhere to go and was facing placement in a nursing home.

At the time, Heather was recovering from a traumatic childbirth and caring for her nine month old baby. Still, she didn’t hesitate. Heather knew a nursing home was no place for a child. What was meant to be a temporary two week placement turned into something permanent. That little girl became family, her “oldest baby.”

What drives Heather every day is simple but powerful: helping people live fully. She finds joy in the small but profound moments: seeing someone smile, make a choice, or be truly seen by others. She believes deeply that even those who cannot speak still have voices, feelings, and stories worth hearing.

But the work is not easy. The hardest part is not the girl she supports, rather, the system. Constant barriers, red tape, and having to fight for basic rights like education and inclusion can be exhausting. Heather has had to advocate fiercely, challenging assumptions and pushing others to see ability where they only saw limitation.

Through it all, Heather has learned how to build trust without words by watching, listening, and honoring the girl’s unique way of communicating. Heather meets the girl where she is: finding creative ways to connect and making sure the girl feels seen, valued, and understood.

Heather’s belief is clear: people with disabilities deserve the same life as anyone else, full of choice, joy, and opportunity. Not a life limited by systems that see them as costs instead of human beings.

Losing her sister in 2020 could have broken her. Instead, it deepened her purpose. In every person she supports, she sees pieces of Katlyn. Continuing this work is not just a career, it’s a way of honoring her sister’s life.

And in return, the girl she supports has changed her. The girl has shown Heather a kind of joy that is pure and unfiltered, a resilience that defies odds, and a capacity for connection that many in the world overlook.

Heather’s life is richer, fuller, and more meaningful because of the girl. Heather wouldn’t trade that for the world.

A HUGE shout out to Heather Kozak at Sevita! Thank you for your consistent hard work and advocacy. Congratulations on winning the 2026 ANCOR Nebraska DSP award!

05/26/2026

05/26/2026

Cutting Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HBCS) doesn’t solve problems, it creates bigger ones.

Fraud should be addressed with targeted solutions, not broad cuts that harm people who rely on care every day, including older adults and individuals with disabilities. The system is already under strain; in 2025 88% of providers reported moderate or severe staffing shortages. More than 60% of providers across the United States have had to turn away new referrals and over 550,000 people are on waiting lists for services, often for years.

Reducing funding will only make matters worse. HBCS costs about $70,000 per year, compared to more than $395,000 in institutional settings, meaning cuts actually drive up costs. These services also strengthen the economy. In 2023 a $67 billion investment generated over $169 billion in economic output, returning $1.50 for every $1 invested.

The solution isn’t to weaken these supports, it’s to strengthen them. We must protect access to care, invest in the workforce, and ensure resources reach those who need them most.