NASDDDS Weekly News (04.22.2026)

NASDDDS Weekly news & updates

April 22, 2026 | Issue 13

NASDDDS Member Calendar

See what's happening this month.

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Welcome

Welcome to the weekly NASDDDS newsletter where we spotlight state and federal updates in the IDD field! Send submissions to cmcgraw@nasddds.org.

news & updates

State Associations Release HCBS and Medicaid Program Integrity Resources for Members

The National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS), ADvancing States, and the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) have jointly released two new resources for state leaders on Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).

The first resource focuses on HCBS program integrity and is designed to elevate effective state strategies and emerging best practices that preserve access to vital HCBS programs while ensuring that every dollar goes to those who need it through the prevention of fraud, waste, and abuse. The associations also invited members to share with them additional actions they are taking to bolster oversight interventions.

The second resource is a new HCBS infographic intended to help inform policymakers, elected officials, state staff, and members of the public about the vital role Medicaid HCBS plays in supporting good lives in communities across the country. The infographic highlights how these services help nearly five million Americans live, work, and participate in community life with greater independence and support.

LINK to HCBS Infographic

At this time, the program integrity resource is for members of the respective associations only.

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Federal Updates

The US Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would allow work requirements and term limits in public housing and the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Project-Based Voucher (PBV), or Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) programs. The proposed rule would amend HUD regulations to provide Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) with the option to implement work requirements for work-eligible adults and term limits for “non-elderly, non-disabled families.” READ MORE

The National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA) shared an open letter to the Congressional Subcommittee on Health, presenting their views on the current state of HCBS and recommendations to Congress for future HCBS reform. READ MORE

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State and Territory Updates

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced last week that 30 awards with a $25 million investment will be given to help address health parity for people with developmental disabilities who often find it difficult to find comprehensive healthcare that meets their needs. This critical statewide initiative was announced as part of Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State and enacted in the FY26 Budget. The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) prioritized awards based on projects related to expanding access to dental care, improving physical diagnostic space to better accommodate wheelchairs, creating sensory-friendly areas for neurodiverse patients, and improving access to specialty physical health services in ‘healthcare deserts.’ READ MORE

Pennsylvania's Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) recently announced the release of the Multi-Year Program Growth Dashboard on My ODP. This dashboard presents key metrics aligned with the Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Developmental Programs’ Multi-Year Program Growth Strategy. This strategy is focused on expanding access to home and community-based services (HCBS), increasing system capacity, and making measurable progress toward eliminating the emergency waiting list for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism. Updated on a quarterly basis, the dashboard reflects changes in waitlist status, service access, and enrollment trends over time. It is designed to support ongoing monitoring of progress, inform strategic decision-making, and ensure accountability in advancing ODP’s long-term system transformation and service expansion goals.

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Partner and Community Resources

The Missouri Coalition for Oral Health, Missouri’s Medicaid program, and the Missouri Dental Association recently partnered to strengthen the state’s Medicaid dental provider network. This case study presented by the Center for Healthcare Strategies (CHCS) highlights methods to increase provider participation and expand access by improving administrative processes, reimbursement, communication, and provider support. It is a product of the Medicaid Oral Health Workforce Implementation Learning Series, led by the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) with support from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. READ MORE

Community of Practice – Launching Fall 2026-Are you a service provider looking to enhance community life engagement (CLE) for the people you support? Join the national CLE in Action Community of Practice (CoP), launching its third cohort this fall. Learn more

Four states that received the first round of technical implementation grants from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) in 2024 — California, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin — recently shared their progress and how they are putting the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers into action during a National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) webinar. The national strategy is a roadmap for federal, state, Tribal, local, and other relevant groups to work toward five shared goals to support family caregivers. READ MORE

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The National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) does not exclusively endorse any sponsor, product, or service referenced in this newsletter. Likewise, the views, information, and content presented in this newsletter do not constitute endorsement by any sponsor. All editorial content is developed independently by NASDDDS to inform and support its members.

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