# Disability Committee Examines Restructuring, Assessment Concerns  
**Published:** 2026-05-21T17:58:32.000Z  
**Source:** [Flatwater Free Press](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/may-13-developmental-disabilities-advisory-committee-reviews-agency-changes-and-interrai-concerns/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/disability-committee-examines-restructuring-assessment-concerns

LINCOLN, Neb. — [The Nebraska Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/may-13-developmental-disabilities-advisory-committee-reviews-agency-changes-and-interrai-concerns/) discussed structural changes within the state's disability services system and raised concerns about an assessment tool used to determine service funding levels during a May 13 meeting documented by the [Flatwater Free Press](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/).

The committee learned that the Division of Developmental Disabilities will be renamed the Department of Disability and Aging, effective July 18. Committee members questioned how the consolidation would affect Medicaid waivers and advisory committees, but [Division Director Tony Green outlined priorities including stabilizing services, strengthening provider oversight and improving statewide training standards](https://dhhs.ne.gov/pages/developmental-disabilities.aspx).

Much of the meeting focused on the InterRAI assessment system, which [determines funding tiers that dictate how much support individuals receive](https://www.1011now.com/2026/02/19/assessment-vs-reality-placement-wrong-tier-puts-developmentally-disabled-nebraskans-risk/). Committee members and public commenters questioned the transparency of the assessment and appeals process, as well as access to public records. Since the system's rollout to developmental disability waiver recipients in summer 2025, [hundreds of people experienced funding changes without clear explanation](https://www.1011now.com/2026/02/20/assessment-vs-reality-nebraska-families-seek-transparency-developmental-disability-assessment-process/).

Caregivers and family members described difficulties navigating appeals and concerns about reduced services for individuals with disabilities. [Service providers worry the assessment changes are creating safety concerns by placing people in the wrong supervision groups](https://www.1011now.com/2026/02/19/assessment-vs-reality-placement-wrong-tier-puts-developmentally-disabled-nebraskans-risk/). Green said the department has expanded staff training and updated reconsideration notices in response to concerns.

[Lawmakers unanimously advanced LB 958 in March to address transparency concerns, requiring the department to provide clearer explanations of assessment results to families and caregivers](https://www.1011now.com/2026/03/31/nebraska-lawmakers-unanimously-advance-bill-requiring-transparency-disability-assessments/). The [full meeting notes are available online](https://www.documenters.org/assignments/developmental-disabilities-advisory-committee-20698/).

## Sources

- [Flatwater Free Press](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/may-13-developmental-disabilities-advisory-committee-reviews-agency-changes-and-interrai-concerns/)
- [Nebraska DHHS Division of Developmental Disabilities official page](https://dhhs.ne.gov/pages/developmental-disabilities.aspx)
- [KOLN reporting on InterRAI assessment transparency concerns](https://www.1011now.com/2026/02/20/assessment-vs-reality-nebraska-families-seek-transparency-developmental-disability-assessment-process/)
- [KOLN reporting on safety concerns with assessment placements](https://www.1011now.com/2026/02/19/assessment-vs-reality-placement-wrong-tier-puts-developmentally-disabled-nebraskans-risk/)
- [Nebraska Legislature advances LB 958 for assessment transparency](https://www.1011now.com/2026/03/31/nebraska-lawmakers-unanimously-advance-bill-requiring-transparency-disability-assessments/)
- [Full meeting notes from the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee](https://www.documenters.org/assignments/developmental-disabilities-advisory-committee-20698/)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Flatwater Free Press, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://flatwaterfreepress.org/may-13-developmental-disabilities-advisory-committee-reviews-agency-changes-and-interrai-concerns/.