The Arc of Nebraska

11/05/2025

Use The Arc of the United States link to easily contact your Congressional representatives and tell them food is not optional for people with disabilities!

11/05/2025

Here is a memorandum from Amy Rhone, Administrator/State Director, Nebraska Department of Education, Office of Special Education, regarding the Federal reductions in force of oversight offices for special education.

IDEA rights and civil rights have not changed and students and families still have rights to an appropriate education.

11/04/2025

For those in Lincoln, NE…

Kids eat free at Hy-Vee this week! ❤️🍽 And adults can grab a meal for just $3.

Lincoln locations will be participating. Spread the word to anyone who may need a little extra help this week! 🫶

11/04/2025

Happening at NOON today, join via Zoom!

Speaker panel for our roundtable next Tuesday. We hope to see you on Zoom!

11/03/2025

Tonight: DHHS HCBS Stakeholder meeting at 4pm.(See details below.)

10/31/2025

Remember that not everyone can say trick or treat, but we can all enjoy the holiday with a little kindness. 🎃

Not every child says “trick or treat.” Some wear no costume, carry a blue pumpkin, need extra time at your door, or may seem older than most trick-or-treaters. Many people with disabilities experience Halloween differently, but everyone deserves the chance to enjoy the fun in their own way. The sweetest thing you can give tonight is patience, understanding, and inclusion. Be the neighbor who makes Halloween welcoming for everyone.

Happy Halloween! 🎃

10/30/2025

Millions of people with disabilities, like Sam, rely on food assistance to get by. But right now, that help is at risk. No one should have to choose between food, medicine, rent, or heat. Tell Congress to act now to prevent people from going hungry: https://bit.ly/4huQXn0

10/30/2025

How to prepare for the annual interRAI Functional Needs Assessment...

Tell employers, support team, and prior commitments about this important assessment that happens once a year. Completion time varies, but DHHS approximates one hour to complete the assessment.

⭐Who is invited? Communicate with your support team & providers who you want to attend the assessment. Guardians, shared living providers, and other advocates are ALL able to attend, but it is up to you to make this request.
⭐Documentation: Request thorough documentation of needs, behaviors, and health conditions throughout the year. Be sure it is noted in Therap.
⭐Email: Often communication of scheduled assessments occurs over email. Watch emails & stay connected with your service providers.

If you've already completed an interRAI assessment. Please share your feedback with us using the link below.

https://forms.gle/8izdXkgCo7EneXcP6

ALT TEXT: Image is a chalkboard background with text. Text explains the interRAI is an annual assessment tool that will take about one hour to complete. Be sure to communicate with employers, support team, and prior commitments that you will need this time each year.

10/24/2025

The Arc of Central Nebraska has some terrific programming coming up, including this future preparation event tomorrow!

They also have a dinner event tonight and are participating in the upcoming Honey Sunday fundraisers.

Follow them if you are local to the Grand Island area and join them for some of these fun community events!

📢📢📢WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU ON SATURDAY!

🌟 Join us for our annual Oh Deer, The Future is Near event! 🌟

This year’s program will feature presentations from experts in the field on important topics including:
✅ Guardianship & Alternatives
✅ Enable Accounts
✅ Respite Options
✅ A panel of local experts
…and more!

Here is the tentative schedule:
10:00 am Opening, Teshawna Sawyer
10:15 am Guardianship and Alternatives, Fred Graves
11:00 am Enable Accounts, Stacy Pfeifer
11:00 to 11:15 break for bathroom and grab lunch
11:15 -12:00 Respite Services, Heather Glass DHHS
12:00pm – Panel and Questions, Panel Members – Julie Stahla (parent), Kris McMullen (education/guardian), Teshawna Sawyer (SLP), and last member to be determined.

📅 Date: Saturday, October 25th
📍 Location: Peace Lutheran Church
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

A light lunch will be provided. 🥪✨ RSVP to arccentralne@gmail.com or call/text 308-379-8070

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and prepare for the future. We look forward to seeing you there!

10/21/2025

The Arc of Lincoln is also gearing up for their 🍯 Honey Sunday 🍯 fundraiser!

If you are local to the Lincoln area this is a fun way to support your local chapter. 😊

Purchase your Honey Today!

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2025-honey-sales

10/20/2025

Check out some of the fun ways to support local chapters! 🍯 Honey Sunday is a big fundraiser for many local Nebraska chapters, look and see if your chapter is fundraising.

Or help The Arc of Norfolk meet their goal! ❤️

🍯 It’s Time for Honey Sunday! 🍯
Support The Arc of Norfolk by purchasing delicious 12-ounce Pure Midwest Honey Bears for just $5 each — or grab a case of 12 for $55 and get the 12th bottle free! 🐝
💛 Free delivery is available within 30 miles on case orders or more.
🗓️ Pre-order and payment are due by Friday, October 31st to guarantee your order.
You can send your order form and payment (cash or check) to:
📬 PO Box 32, Norfolk, NE 68701
Or donate in lieu of a honey bear to help support our mission — every dollar makes a difference!
Pay easily through PayPal or Venmo (scan the QR codes on the flyer). - Ensure that you email your delivery information!
Your support of Honey Sunday keeps The Arc of Norfolk’s programs vibrant and beneficial to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 23 counties in Northeast Nebraska.
Thank you for helping us make life a little sweeter for everyone! 💛🐝

10/19/2025

Nominate a NE pumpkin patch! Where have you found accessible fun?

Recognize a pumpkin patch using the Google Form in the comments.

The Arc of Nebraska cares about ALL abilities:
⭐When we consider child safety and elopement from play areas, we support those with intellectual and developmental disabilities who may wander or excitedly run without notice.
⭐When we offer wheelchair accessible doorways and restrooms, everyone finds ease in spending time in public spaces.
⭐Let us not forget about accessible methods of communication. ALL can enjoy public spaces safely and to the fullest extent when information is shared clearly with images, simple fonts, and through auditory supports.

Let's make Nebraska's public spaces accessible to all Nebraskans. All ages, all abilities.❤

ALT TEXT: Image of an animated ghost holding an iced pumpkin latte and wearing a knit beanie hat. A jack-o-lantern pumpkin with a smiling face sits next to the ghost. Text at the top of the image read, "Accessibility isn't scary...it's for everyone."