INFORMATION/RESOURCES

If you need assistance, information, or would like us to add your resource to this list, please email us at nevadaddcouncil@gmail.com. We will respond within 48 business hours.

General Information:

ABLE Accounts (Achieving a Better Life Experience)

ABLE accounts help individuals save, while preserving their SSI and Medicaid. Eligible applicants can save for qualified disability expenses without losing eligibility for certain assistance programs, like SSI and Medicaid. Under the law, a person with a disability and that person’s family may put money into a special tax-advantaged account.  The first $100,000 in an ABLE account will not count against the $2000 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) resource limit, nor will it count against asset limits other programs, such as Medical Assistance, may have. The earnings on your investments are federally tax-deferred and tax-free, if used for qualified disability expenses.

For more information visit our ABLE Accounts Page or ABLE Nevada

Autism

1. Autism Coalition of Nevada (ACON) — Statewide advocacy, education, community support, and a Nevada Autism Provider & Services Directory.

Website: https://aconv.org/resources/

2. Nevada Autism Treatment Assistance Program (ATAP) — State program that helps eligible families access autism-related treatment and therapies.

Website: https://adsd.nv.gov/Programs/Autism/ATAP/ATAP/

3. University Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment (UCAN) — Northern Nevada autism evaluations at no cost to families, with referrals required. Phone: 775-682-7025.

Website: https://med.unr.edu/speech-pathology-audiology/clinics/university-center-autism

4. Nevada Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment (NvCAN) — Supports autism assessments, family services, professional training, and community partnerships.

Website: https://www.nv-can.org/

5. Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) — Southern Nevada autism family support, education, and community resources.

Website: https://www.featsonv.org/

6. Nevada Autism Center — Las Vegas-based autism services and a directory of additional family resources.

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nevada-autism-center/

7. Real Autism Difference (RAD) — Las Vegas after-school programs, day camps, and summer camps.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/RealAutismDifference/

Accessibility

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications.

Advocacy/Self-Determination

Life Stages Tool Guide  – The Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (NGCDD) has created the Life Stages Guide; a tool to help individuals with disabilities and their families plan for, and make informed choices to live the most self-determined life they can at any age. The NGCDD has heard from the community that often times, individuals with disabilities and/or their family members are overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate through the system. The Life Stages Guide was created as a tool to prepare for and seek services, supports, and resources by asking thought-provoking questions they may not have thought of asking or know to ask on their own.

This guide was adapted with permission from Charting the Life Course: A Guide for Individuals, Families, and Professionals from Missouri Family to Family. It represents the viewpoints of individuals with disabilities, parents and family members on what they found helpful, wish for their future, or wished they had thought about during the different ages and stages in life. It also includes information on self-determination, and a list of various resources and services.

We hope you will find this guide informational and useful for you, your family members and/or consumers. The guide is available in three forms: as a downloadable PDF below (in standard and accessible format) and through our office as an actual handbook. All are free of cost however, we ask that you please compete and return the accompanying survey in the link below as your feedback is important to us. Please let us know if this guide was useful by completing this survey and emailing to Ellen Marquez at elmarquez@nvha.nv.gov

Advocacy Groups in Nevada

  • People First of Nevada
  • A Team Nevada
  • Kiwanis Aktion Club – Meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. Location: Dining Room of the Douglas County Community and Senior Center. Contact: Gary Dove, 775-339-8882 | gsdpidge@aol.com

Dental

  • Dentably
  • The American Dental Association recently revised its code of conduct to prohibit denial of care to patients with physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities. In cases where a dentist does not have the equipment or expertise to meet a particular person’s special needs, the code now requires them to refer the patient to an appropriate dentist rather than simply turning them away.
  •  Oral health guides for developmental disabilities publications »

Developmental Disabilities Definition:

The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 defines a developmental disability as a severe chronic disability of an individual that:

  • is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments.
  • is manifested before the individual attains age 22.
  • is likely to continue indefinitely.
  • results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.
  • reflects the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, supports, or other assistance that are lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.
  • includes infants and young children from birth to age nine who have substantial delay or specific congenital or acquired conditions, and may be considered to have a developmental disability without limitations in meeting three or more of the areas of major life activity with a high probability of resulting in DD later in life if services are not provided.

Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act)

In every state and territory, programs authorized by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) empower individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to help shape policies that impact them. DD Act programs conduct important research and test innovative new service delivery models. They work to bring the latest knowledge and resources to those who can put it to the best use, including self-advocates, families, service providers, and policymakers. DD Act programs also investigate cases of abuse and serve as advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources

Nevada Commission for Persons Who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Speech Impaired (Also referred to as the Nevada Deaf Commission)

Nevada Hands & Voices

Sammy’s D.E.N.

Las Vegas Deaf Seniors

CSD Works NV

  • Email: works.nevada@csd.org
  • Address: Northern office, 140 Washington Street, Suite 210, Reno, NV 89503
  • Additional Address: Southern office, 3763 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 340, Las Vegas, NV 89169
  • Website: https://csdworksnv.org/

Down Syndrome Resources

1. Down Syndrome Resources – Nevada

Statewide Down syndrome resource website featured on NGCDD’s resources page, providing a central starting point for families seeking information and support.

Website: www.downsyndromenv.com

2. Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada

Northern Nevada — Family support, education, advocacy, and community connections.

Website: dsnnn.org

3. Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada

Southern Nevada — Programs, advocacy, education, and community activities for individuals with Down syndrome and other I/DD.

Website: dsosn.org

4. Down Syndrome Connections Las Vegas

Las Vegas — Family networking, education, advocacy, and Down syndrome conferences.

Website: downsyndromeconnections.org

5. GiGi’s Playhouse Las Vegas

Henderson — Free educational, therapeutic, social, and career-development programs.

Website: gigisplayhouse.org/lasvegas

Emergency Planning

For presentations or information on including the Access and Functional Needs (AFN) population in emergency planning, or materials please contact Ellen Marquez at elmarquez@nvha.nv.gov

Employment

Guinn Center Integrated Employment ReportDownload

Guardianship and Supported Decision Making

Home and Community Based Medicaid Waivers

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) are Medicaid-funded services and supports that help eligible individuals live, work, and participate in their communities rather than receive services in institutional settings. These services support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), physical disabilities, and other qualifying needs.

HCBS may include assistance with daily living, supported employment, residential supports, respite care, and other services that promote independence, choice, and community inclusion.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established the HCBS Settings Final Rule to ensure that individuals receiving Medicaid-funded services have the same opportunities as others to participate fully in community life. The rule emphasizes individual rights, privacy, dignity, respect, personal choice, and access to services in the most integrated setting appropriate to each person’s needs.

The federal transition period for the HCBS Settings Final Rule ended March 17, 2023, subject to certain approved corrective action processes. Nevada received final approval of its Statewide Transition Plan and continues to be responsible for monitoring compliance with federal HCBS requirements.

For additional information, please visit the following resources:

I/DD Waiver Rate Study

Nevada’s Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) provides Medicaid-funded services and supports to eligible individuals in community settings.

In 2020, Nevada initiated a provider cost study conducted by Burns & Associates, a division of Health Management Associates, to evaluate reimbursement rates for services provided through the I/DD Waiver.

As part of the study, providers were surveyed in March and April 2021 regarding service delivery costs, employee compensation, and benefits. Of the 88 providers surveyed, 16 submitted responses, representing approximately 18.2% of providers and 47.1% of waiver claims payments.

The study examined reimbursement rates for services including residential supports, day habilitation, employment-related services, behavioral supports, and transportation.

The findings informed subsequent discussions regarding Medicaid reimbursement rates and funding for I/DD services. Nevada has since implemented rate adjustments, including changes authorized during the 2023 Legislative Session.

Please note: The documents below reflect the 2021 cost study and are provided for historical and informational purposes. They do not represent current Medicaid reimbursement rates.

For current waiver information, reimbursement rates, and Medicaid policies, please refer to Nevada Medicaid’s official resources.

Housing

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Alternative Diploma Guidance

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children. The IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.

Effective July 1, 2017 the Alternative Diploma became Nevada’s newest diploma option. Requirements for the Alternative Diploma passed the regulatory process on October 11, 2018. The Alternative Diploma is now available to Nevada’s students with disabilities who are assessed on the Nevada Alternate Assessment. Nevada’s requirements for the Alternative Diploma align to the acad0emic coursework and the College and Career Readiness assessment (ACT) requirements for students working to achieve a standard diploma. For more information:

Nevada Alternate Diploma Guidance

ELA NVAC Connector Standards

Math NVACS Connector Standards

Science NVACS Connector Standards

AD Science Credits Guidance

AD Social Studies Credits Guidance

AD Computer Education and Technology Credits Guidance

AD Health Education Guidance

Individual/Family Support

  • A great website with resources to support families throughout the lifespan of their family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • Financial assistance to participate in conferences, workshops, and other training opportunities: Consumer Leadership Funds
  • Nevada PEP provides support to parents/families of children with disabilities from birth – age 26.  They provide information and resources, free training classes and support groups for parents, weekly meetings for youth to learn about advocacy, and individualized support including supporting parents with issues related to IEP and section 504 plans in school meetings.

Information/Referral/ Independent Living

Legislative

Lending Library

We have a lending library with books for and about the disability community. To learn more, visit our Lending Library page!

Medicaid for NV Recipients

Nevada Medicaid

Nevada Medicaid provides health coverage to eligible Nevadans, including children, adults, older adults, pregnant individuals, and people with disabilities. Medicaid may cover services such as doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, behavioral health services, therapies, durable medical equipment, home health services, and certain long-term services and supports.

Eligibility depends on the Medicaid program for which a person is applying. Do not assume you or your child will not qualify based only on household income. Nevada has several Medicaid eligibility pathways, including specialized programs for people with disabilities and children with significant medical needs.

Does your child have a disability or significant medical needs?

Even if your household income is too high for traditional Medicaid, your child may have another pathway to coverage. Ask about Nevada’s Katie Beckett Eligibility Option. Don’t assume your child is ineligible based on household income alone.

Applying for Medicaid

Nevadans can apply for health coverage online. Nevada Health Link can screen applicants based on household and income information and direct people who may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP to a Medicaid application. Medicaid enrollment itself is available throughout the year; you do not need to wait for the Health Link open-enrollment period to qualify for Medicaid.

Apply for Health Coverage through Nevada Health Link

Nevada Medicaid Information

Families who need assistance can also contact Nevada Medicaid Recipient Customer Service at 702-668-4200 (Las Vegas), 775-687-1900 (Reno), or 866-569-1746 (all other areas).

Katie Beckett Eligibility Option

This deserves its own prominent section on the NGCDD site, because this is exactly the program families can miss when they are told their household income is too high for traditional Medicaid.

Nevada’s Katie Beckett Eligibility Option provides a pathway to Medicaid for certain children with disabilities or significant medical needs who meet specified disability and level-of-care requirements.

The important part for families: household income does not automatically mean your child cannot qualify.

Nevada first evaluates a child for other Medicaid eligibility categories. If the child does not qualify through those pathways, the child may be evaluated for Katie Beckett. The process includes determining whether the child meets the required disability and institutional level-of-care criteria.

Nevada does collect information about parental income as part of the Katie Beckett process. However, parental income is used in determining a monthly parental premium, rather than simply applying the ordinary Medicaid income limit in the same way as traditional family Medicaid.

In plain language: If your child has significant disabilities or medical needs but you have been told your family makes too much money for Medicaid, ask specifically about Katie Beckett.

Who may qualify?

A child must meet the program’s specific eligibility requirements, including a disability determination when applicable and a required level-of-care determination. Eligibility is determined individually, so families should apply or request an evaluation rather than assuming their child will not qualify.

The application process may require documentation regarding the child’s disability or medical needs, income information, proof that SSI has been applied for, and other eligibility documentation. Nevada’s eligibility manual also notes that the Medicaid disability determination can proceed while an SSI decision is pending.

Katie Beckett premiums

Some families enrolled through Katie Beckett are required to pay a monthly parental premium based on family income. Nevada Medicaid determines the premium during the eligibility process.

For Katie Beckett billing questions or payment assistance, Nevada Medicaid currently lists:

Phone: 775-684-3660
Email: dhcfpkatiebeckett@nvha.nv.gov

Nevada Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports & Katie Beckett Information

Medicaid and Home & Community-Based Services

Having Medicaid does not automatically mean someone is enrolled in a Medicaid waiver. Nevada operates several Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs with their own eligibility requirements.

Nevada currently identifies 1915(c) waivers for:

  • Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
  • Frail Elderly individuals
  • Persons with Physical Disabilities
  • Structured Family Caregiving

Nevada Medicaid also provides other community-based services, including Personal Care Services, home health and private duty nursing for eligible recipients.

This distinction is especially important for families of people with I/DD: Medicaid eligibility and eligibility for developmental services or an HCBS waiver are related, but they are not the same thing.

Already Have Medicaid?

Members should keep their address and contact information current and respond promptly to requests for eligibility information or renewal documentation.

Nevada Medicaid also offers the NVMedicaid app for members age 18 and older. Members can use it to access their Medicaid card, review claims, see health-plan information, search for providers and receive Medicaid messages.

Nevada Medicaid Member Resources

Need Help?

If you have a disability or are helping a family member with a disability, navigating Medicaid can be confusing. If you are denied Medicaid or told that your income is too high, ask whether there are other Medicaid eligibility categories that may apply to your situation, including Katie Beckett for eligible children.

Medicare

Nevada DD Network Partners

Seclusion and Restraint

Religion

Service Animals

Sexuality

Webinar series from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) on Youtube that contains some valuable resources from self-advocates and stakeholders. 

Sexual Harassment

Transition/Post Secondary Education 

Transportation

See our Transportation Page

Virtual Meetings

A quick guide in English and Spanish to getting started with virtual meetings like Zoom

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), signed into law in 2014, helps individuals, including people with disabilities, access employment, education, job training, and career development opportunities.

WIOA strengthened the federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) program and expanded employment-related services for people with disabilities, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

A primary goal of WIOA is to promote competitive integrated employment, meaning individuals with disabilities have opportunities to work alongside people without disabilities, earn at least minimum wage and comparable compensation, receive appropriate benefits, and have opportunities for career advancement.

WIOA also strengthens employment opportunities by:

  • Expanding pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, including career exploration, work-based learning, and workplace readiness.
  • Improving coordination between schools, vocational rehabilitation agencies, and community service providers.
  • Supporting individuals with disabilities in obtaining, maintaining, and advancing in meaningful employment.
  • Encouraging informed choice, self-determination, and greater independence.
  • Establishing additional protections and requirements related to employment at subminimum wages.

Protections Regarding Subminimum Wage Employment

Section 511 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended by WIOA, places restrictions on employers paying workers with disabilities less than the applicable minimum wage under federal Section 14(c) certificates.

Individuals with disabilities age 24 and younger generally must complete specific transition, vocational rehabilitation, and career counseling requirements before an employer may pay them a subminimum wage under Section 14(c). Additional counseling and information requirements apply to workers of all ages receiving subminimum wages.

These protections are intended to ensure that individuals with disabilities have meaningful opportunities to explore competitive integrated employment and make informed decisions about their employment options.

Nevada Vocational Rehabilitation Services

In Nevada, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR Nevada) provides services to help eligible individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, maintain, and advance in employment. Services may include career counseling, job training, employment planning, workplace supports, and transition services for students.

For additional information, please visit:

Nevada Vocational Rehabilitation – Apply for Services

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act – U.S. Department of Labor

Competitive Integrated Employment – U.S. Department of Labor

Subminimum Wage Employment Protections – U.S. Department of Labor

Nevada Vocational Rehabilitation

Please note this list is not all inclusive. Views expressed on these sites do not necessarily represent the official views of the state of Nevada, the NGCDD, the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities or any other related or supporting agency or organization. The NGCDD holds no responsibility for other website content and no endorsement should be inferred.

If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Ortiz at rortiz@nvha.nv.gov or 775-684-8619.