Our neighbors at InterHab in Kansas have created a series of four videos encouraging people in the DD community to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Watch and share them from HERE!

Staffing Data Collection -

Request from the State

As discussed during September's monthly member meeting, NASP has been tasked with collecting data from providers that support our request for additional funding via ARPA/FMAP 10%.

Best guesses are acceptable based upon whenever you last collected data (such as most recent payroll). Answers will be masked and results collated to present a picture of the current provider landscape overall.

Thank you to those who have already submitted responses!

DSP hiring, retention, and training strategies:

• NADSP | Making a world of difference in people's lives
• Trainer Hub (mddsptrainerhub.org)

Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Vermont are among the US states hit hardest by the labor shortage.

Nebraska had the most job openings per unemployed person at 1.8, per the research, which analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the job boards Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and CareerBuilder. This suggests that businesses there are competing hardest for a potential pool of applicants.

DHHS DDD Updates and Reminders

• DHHS/DDD are developing a renewal to the 1915(c) HCBS DD Waivers (4154 and 0394). The 30-day public comment period is from September 27, 2021 to October 27, 2021.​ For more information, and copies of the waiver drafts, visit the Public Comment page.

• The DD waivers were approved on September 23 and will go into effect October 1, 2021. ​New information on the CMS Approved HCBS Waiver Amendments is now available HERE.

• The AD Waiver was approved September 8 and went into effect August 1, 2021. The Regulations and Waivers page​ has the approved AD Waiver in the Current Waivers section.  

DHHS Weekly COVID Calls Mondays at 4:00 pm CST

888-820-1398

Attendee Code: 3065334#​

Additional Funding for Providers

HRSA has announced that there will be another PRF tranche opening for Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP providers on September 29th.

A total of $25.5 billion will be made available for rural providers ($8.5 B) and others ($17 B).

Read: HRSA Briefing

Read: Stakeholder Briefing on PRF Announcement

Visit Grant Portal Website

Press Conference

Friday, October 1, 12:00 pm

Nebraska Capitol Rotunda

Medicaid Buy-In Expansion

In 2020 the legislature passed LB 323 a bill to eliminate a major eligibility barrier for people with disabilities to participate in the Medicaid Insurance for Workers with Disabilities (MIWD) program. This is an important, yet widely underutilized, program that would allow individuals with disabilities who use Medicaid to have a job, increase hours, or take a raise without losing their Medicaid benefits.

Friends of NASP (FoNASP)

DSP Talent Acquisition Project (TAP)

Our DSP TAP grant manager (Michaela Dei) and filmmaker (Sharonda Harris) have completed site visits, capturing great input from current DSPs and the people they serve for our DSP TAP project (made possible by The Further Foundation). Thank you to the organizations who volunteered for site visits!

You may still participate in the project online if you wish: Click HERE to submit an online testimonial

Additionally, a DSP job openings listserv will be utilized in the making of the brochures and our new NASP website to increase awareness about DSP job opportunities. To view the DSP job opening listserv, click HERE. 

If you have any questions, concerns, or updates on your DSP job listing, please email michaela@neserviceproviders.org  

Candy-making day at Extended Families of Nebraska, LLC!

Certificates of Achievement:

Professional Development Plans for DSPs

Almost 66% of DSPs say a valuable way to show appreciation is by providing them with professional development. That’s why ANCOR and Relias partnered together to create the Certificates of Achievement (COA), ten professional development tracks created specifically for DSPs and IDD staff. Each certificate focuses on a strategic area identified to be most impactful for improving both organizational and employee health, well-being, and development. The full list of certificate tracks includes:

• Emerging Leader
• Peer Mentor
• Community Employment Specialist
• Safety Specialist
• Aging Population Specialist
• Employee Wellness Specialist
• Customized Self-Employment Specialist
• Human Resources
• Professional Behavior Specialist
• Community Inclusion Specialist

Read the fact sheet to learn more about ANCOR’s Certificates of Achievement and how you can implement these professional development tracks at your organization.

Madonna School and Community Based Services flag football team!