LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature passed LB733, as incorporated into LB867, renaming the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities to the Division of Disability and Aging (DDA). The DDA name change went into effect July 18, 2026.
The division name change reflects years of strategic work to better align programs, people, and resources that serve Nebraskans with disabilities and aging-related needs. DHHS has consistently focused on serving Nebraskans with person centered services and supports. The mission of the division remains unchanged, DDA is grounded in ensuring continuity of care and supporting Nebraskans with varying needs to live in the homes and communities of their choice.
LB733 does not create new programs or expand statutory authority. Instead, it ensures the division’s name accurately reflects its scope and responsibilities. The new title reinforces the department’s commitment to offer community‑based services to Nebraskans focused on dignity, independence, and choice. It also establishes a stable foundation for future policy development and cross‑program collaboration.
“This transition formalizes years of intentional work to improve the structure of services around the people we serve,” said Tony Green, Director of the Division of Disability and Aging. “The division has absorbed and integrated more aging and disability services, building a continuum of care more responsive to the needs of Nebraskans at every stage of life. This change does not impact the services an individual currently receives; only the name of the division is changing not their services.”
DHHS has intentionally approached operationalizing this change through several structural changes including:
- In 2020, The Aged and Disabled Waiver was transitioned from the Division of Medicaid and Long‑Term Care into the division aligning services and oversight.
- In January 2024, Special Healthcare Needs programs transferred from the Office of Economic Assistance into the division strengthening service coordination for children and families with complex needs.
- In June 2024, The State Unit on Aging merged into the division, further advancing unified administration of aging and disability services.
Nebraska joins several states, including Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Louisiana, and Tennessee, integrating disability and aging services under a single administrative unit. These states reflect a national trend toward integrated administrations organized to reduce silos, improve continuity of care, and simplify navigation for individuals, families, and providers.
More information about disability and aging services can be found on the DHHS website: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Disability-Aging.aspx