Nevada Impact Statement
Administration on Community Living (ACL) and Health and Human Services Reorganization and Elimination of Developmental Disability Network Funding
Programs under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide critical services to Nevadans.
The abrupt restructuring—including the elimination of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the proposed defunding of the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network—will devastate programs that safeguard the health, rights, and independence of our most vulnerable citizens, including older Nevadans and people with disabilities.
Nevada utilizes several ACL-funded DD Network programs across the state. Together, these entities leverage decades of experience and collaboration to provide innovative, cost-effective solutions for individuals with developmental disabilities. The summary below demonstrates their far-reaching impact across Nevada.
The People Served:
Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (NGCDD), in partnership with the Developmental Disabilities (DD) network as outlined in the DD Act, works across all government systems to advance and provide state and local solutions for Nevadans with disabilities. NGCDD is a nonpartisan, self-governing organization charged with identifying the most pressing needs of people with developmental disabilities in our state. They are committed to advancing public policy and systems change that help individuals gain independence, access employment opportunities, and navigate complicated service systems, alleviating pressure on state resources —ultimately reducing long-term dependence on public systems.
Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED) at the University of Nevada, Reno, serves as a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). NCED provides interdisciplinary training, research, community services, and information dissemination to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families across Nevada.
Nevada LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities), housed at the University of Nevada, Reno, is part of a national network of interdisciplinary training programs that prepare future leaders to improve the health of children with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities (NDD), including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Nevada LEND serves families and individuals through advanced leadership training for graduate students, family members, self-advocates, and professionals across disciplines such as medicine, psychology, education, and social work.
Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center (NDALC) is Nevada’s designated Protection and Advocacy agency. NDALC protects the rights of individuals with disabilities by providing free legal services, advocacy, monitoring, investigations, and public education across a variety of systems, from healthcare and education to employment and housing.
Nevada Assistive Technology Collaborative (NATC) supports Nevadans of all ages in accessing assistive technology (AT) and related services that enhance daily living, education, and employment. NATC works with individuals, families, educators, and professionals to ensure equitable access to essential technology.
Nevada Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) partners with the network of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) to serve people of all ages with disabilities, including veterans, in both urban and rural areas. SILC ensures that the independent living philosophy drives service delivery and promotes systems change that upholds individual dignity and community participation.
Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) serves older adults, people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers across the lifespan. ADSD operates with a mission to ensure that all Nevadans have equal access to services that support independent living and community inclusion.
Services We Provide:
NGCDD invests in leadership development, training, grassroots advocacy, and policy reform. Through programs like Partners in Policymaking and Youth Empowering Students (YES), NGCDD ensures individuals with disabilities and their families are empowered to shape systems that work for them. Their initiatives address access to inclusive education, community-based employment, and quality healthcare services.
NCED delivers evidence-based training to professionals, families, and self-advocates. NCED also conducts community-engaged research, creates accessible resources, and provides technical assistance to improve access to education, employment, and health services for Nevadans with disabilities.
Nevada LEND delivers high-quality, interdisciplinary training focused on the medical, educational, and social needs of children with NDD and their families. Through mentorship, clinical experiences, and research, Nevada LEND prepares emerging leaders to provide culturally competent, family-centered care and advance systems change. LEND trainees engage directly with families, participate in policy education, and promote inclusion and equity across all areas of service delivery.
NDALC provides critical protection and advocacy services in areas such as special education, employment discrimination, abuse and neglect, access to Medicaid services, housing rights, and voting access. NDALC monitors facilities, investigates complaints, and educates the public on disability rights under federal and state laws.
NATC provides a full range of AT services including device demonstrations, short-term equipment loans, reuse and recycling programs, information and assistance, technical support, and financial loan programs. These services reduce long-term costs while maximizing independence and productivity.
SILC and Nevada’s Centers for Independent Living deliver five federally mandated core services: information and referral, independent living skills training, peer support, individual and systems advocacy, and transition support from institutions into the community. CILs support individuals through services that promote self-determination and reduce reliance on institutional care.
ADSD administers programs that support nutrition, caregiver support, respite services, in-home care, and transportation for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Their aging and disability resource centers (ADRCs) serve as vital entry points for families navigating complex systems.
What We Bring to Nevada:
NGCDD brings federal funding that supports innovative solutions for local and statewide challenges. Their programs reduce long-term dependency on state-funded services, mitigate medical crises through early intervention, community-based services, and create sustainable systems change by advancing inclusive policy. Their work improves quality of life.
NCED provides essential capacity-building resources to the state. Their training and research initiatives support the professional development of Nevada’s future service providers while enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities.
Nevada LEND brings federal funding through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to Nevada’s healthcare and educational systems. This investment develops a skilled, interdisciplinary workforce capable of addressing the complex needs of individuals with developmental and related disabilities. LEND’s emphasis on family engagement and leadership ensures training is informed by lived experience and strengthens Nevada’s long-term capacity to support families and providers.
NDALC leverages federal Protection & Advocacy funds to protect the rights of some of the most marginalized Nevadans. Their advocacy has ensured greater access to education, prevented unnecessary institutionalization, and supported transitions into inclusive workplaces and communities.
NATC reduces overall system costs by promoting AT reuse and informed purchasing. These efforts help individuals live independently while reducing state expenditures. Their services promote education and employment access, reducing future reliance on public assistance.
SILC and CILs received more than $1 million in federal funds last year, providing services in underserved and rural regions. Through partnerships and community-based services, CILs reduce costly institutional placements and enable individuals to remain in their homes and contribute to their communities.
ADSD brings in Older Americans Act (OAA) funds and other federal sources to support senior nutrition, wellness, and independence. For every federal dollar received, ADSD collaborates with local providers to stretch resources and serve Nevada’s diverse aging and disabled populations more efficiently.
How We Create a Better Nevada:
NGCDD helps eliminate system inefficiencies and enhances service coordination statewide. Their partnerships across education, health, employment, and justice systems support family unity, prevent institutionalization, and promote self-advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities.
NCED helps create a Nevada where individuals with disabilities thrive in school, work, and daily life. Their interdisciplinary work advances inclusive education, employment, and community supports, increasing long-term stability and opportunity.
Nevada LEND creates a sustainable pipeline of informed, compassionate, and innovative professionals equipped to support individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities across the lifespan. Their interdisciplinary approach fosters collaboration between systems, improves diagnosis and service access, and ensures that Nevadans with complex needs receive care that reflects best practices and community values.
NDALC ensures legal rights are upheld and civil liberties are protected. Their services prevent abuses, promote fairness, and support systemic reform to build an equitable Nevada for all.
NATC creates a more inclusive Nevada by ensuring technology is accessible to those who need it most. Their services empower people to live independently, pursue education and employment, and participate fully in their communities.
SILC and the Independent Living Network empower individuals with disabilities to make choices about their lives and supports. Nevada’s CILs are led by and staffed with a majority of people with disabilities, ensuring services are designed by those with lived experience. These programs strengthen community bonds and support economic participation.
ADSD builds an age- and disability-friendly Nevada by supporting aging in place, dignity in care, and lifelong community involvement. Their programs help avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and reduce reliance on costly long-term care.
Nevadans Need These Programs:
The defunding of the DD Network and dissolution of ACL would upend Nevada’s disability services infrastructure, reversing decades of progress and placing thousands of lives at risk. These changes threaten to:
- Eliminate services that provide critical training and advocacy;
- Undermine protections for people with disabilities;
- Remove federal funding that offsets state expenditures;
- Increase institutionalization and preventable health crises.
Nearly one in five Nevadans has a disability. Nevada also has one of the fastest-growing aging populations in the country. Disability can affect anyone, at any time. Informal caregivers—often family members—provide unpaid support that would otherwise require costly services. The DD Network exists to ensure these families and individuals are supported, included, and empowered.
Programs administered through ACL since 2012 have been integral to Nevada’s ability to meet the needs of its residents with disabilities. As discussions around federal restructuring continue, it is critical to recognize the foundational role the DD Network plays in Nevada’s health, education, legal, and social service systems. Any transition should be approached with careful consideration to avoid service disruption, protect continuity of care, and maintain the progress achieved through these collaborative, community-based efforts.