The Arc of Nebraska

04/04/2026

April is Autism Acceptance Month! ❤️

03/23/2026

To read more, go to… https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Medicaid-Public-Notices.aspx

🚨FINAL ACTION ALERT: tell DHHS that Nebraskans say NO to eliminating Medicaid retroactive coverage.

📅 Comments are due by MARCH 26! Make your voice heard and pass this link to 3 friends 🔗neappl.es/retro

👀 ICYMI:

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced in February that it plans to seek federal approval to eliminate retroactive coverage for all Medicaid enrollees, which protects low-income Nebraskans from crippling medical debt and ensures that hospitals can keep their doors open.

Medicaid retroactive coverage covers health care bills for low-income Medicaid enrollees for a certain time prior to their month of application if they would have been eligible for Medicaid at the time. This coverage is especially critical for those facing health crises.

DHHS is proposing to eliminate this critical coverage for everyone, including NICU babies, children, those with disabilities, those who are pregnant, seniors, nursing home residents, parents, and other adults.

This would not only hurt our families and neighbors – it would deliver another devastating blow to our health system in Nebraska, which is already going to see over 50,000 more uninsured patients and receive $4 billion less in federal funding due to the health care cuts passed in Congress’ “One Big Beautiful Bill,” also known as H.R.1, last summer.

03/20/2026

This Tuesday! 📣We’ll be there. Will you?

Nebraska Disability Advocacy Day is on Tuesday, March 24th! Let's fill the Nebraska State Capitol Building!

Join self-advocates, families, disability organizations, and allies from across Nebraska for a day of connection, storytelling, and legislative engagement.

Our message is simple and powerful:
With Medicaid, we can Live. Work. Play. Flourish.

10:00–11:30 a.m., we will meet at the Capitol to have conversations with Senators and share real stories about how disability services impact daily life.

10:45-11:15 a.m. - PRESS Conference

11:30 a.m., we’ll gather in the Rotunda for a group photo.

12:00–1:00 p.m., we’ll host lunch with Senators at the Hruska Law Office Conference Room.

From 1:00–2:00 p.m., we’ll continue conversations and advocacy meetings at the Capitol.

You do not need advocacy experience, come and share your story and we will help you!

03/19/2026

Our gifts to YOU! Founders who give $25 or more each month also receive TWO Senatorial Dinner Tickets. Help us build a brighter future for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in across our state!

⭐Did you know that a gift of $10 receives a coffee thermos?

Be a part of our community of advocates through monthly giving. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit your contributions continue our important work. The Arc of Nebraska is a membership organization of caregivers, self-advocates, and disability leaders. We step in to advocate on behalf of Nebraskans. You share your concerns and encouragements with us, and we will take your feedback to advisory councils and community representatives for positive change.

🎁Use the link below to setup your monthly gifts today!

Founders Club: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/founders-club-2

03/18/2026

Follow federal updates from The Arc of the United States…

Right now, decisions are being made that could shape disability policy for years.

Congress is deciding on federal funding. States are making decisions about how to carry out new Medicaid and SNAP changes. Several important bills that affect the disability community are still in play, including the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, Money Follows the Person, and the Keeping All Students Safe Act.

At the same time, there are new conversations about moving special education oversight out of the Department of Education, which could affect how the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is enforced.

Our team is tracking the issues shaping disability policy and what it means for people with disabilities. Get the details and learn how you can help using the link in the comments below ⬇️

03/18/2026

Showing up is the first step to advocating…

Nebraskans from 20 different legislative districts are now registered to attend The People's Day next week!

Join us on Monday, March 23, at the State Capitol in Lincoln to help fill in the map. Drop by any time between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT to connect with your state senator and share your perspectives and concerns

More information and registration at https://lwvnebraska.org/get-involved/the-peoples-day-2026/

03/08/2026

Human moments with some spectacular humans. ❤ Here are some smiles from Tuesday night captured by our event staff! We cherish these fun times together. Nebraskans are stronger together.

📸: Kevin Lange
🎈: Bailey's Balloons and Beyond

03/07/2026

A glimpse of the banquet! For those who were unable to attend, this is your sign to gear up for next year. Senators, service providers, and self-advocates join together for an evening of advocacy. Everyone is invited!

📸: Kevin Lange

03/06/2026

THANK YOU to all Senatorial Dinner attendees! See Award Winners & our special guest speakers...Whit Downing & Sara Hart Weir.

Sara Hart Weir is the Executive Director of the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD), the premier statewide organization focused on advocating for Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Driven by her late best friend with Down Syndrome, Sara has spent her career fighting for equity and opportunity for people with disabilities.

Weir has over two decades of national disability policy expertise; and is the former President & CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). One of her proudest accomplishments is leading the passage of the bipartisan, landmark ABLE Act in 2014, which earned the support of over 85% of the entire U.S. Congress. She’s one of the nation’s leading experts and advocates on ABLE accounts.

Whit Downing serves as the Vice President of Policy and Programming for the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD). Downing first joined KCDD in early 2024 as a behavior health advisor and became its full-time VP leading policy and programming in November 2024. Whit is a proud autistic woman who lives with PTSD. Whit’s greatest passion is ensuring that neurodiverse people are always included in discussions surrounding mental health and su***de prevention.

⭐Advocate Award Winners:

Patricia "Patty" McGill Smith - Honored for a lifetime of advocacy. (Received by Mark & Sean Smith)

"Family of The Arc"- Dick & Joann Longacre

Self-Advocate of the Year - Derek Caster

Business of the Year - Alice "T***s" & Jerry of Jerry's Hilltop Cafe & Catering

Harold Sieck Public Official of the Year - Senator Victor Rountree

📸: Kevin Lange

03/04/2026

🧡March is here…

02/26/2026

📣Urgent Action

Nebraska Legislature