Nevada Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities

Administration on Community Living (ACL) and Health and Human Services Reorganization

Programs under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide essential support to Nevadans, particularly individuals with developmental disabilities, older adults, and their families.

The proposed restructuring of HHS, including the elimination of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), threatens to destabilize services that uphold the independence, health, and safety of Nevada’s most vulnerable residents.

Nevada relies on ACL programs to implement sustainable, community-based solutions that reduce reliance on institutional care, promote equity and inclusion, and address the unique challenges facing both rural and urban communities. The following summary of ACL programs illustrates their statewide impact.

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The People Served

The Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (NGCDD), a nonpartisan, self-governing body, plays a vital role in advancing public policy and systems change in line with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act). The Council collaborates across state agencies, community organizations, and the disability community to ensure that Nevadans with developmental disabilities have equitable access to independence, employment, education, health care, and full participation in community life.

In recent years, NGCDD has been instrumental in supporting and advancing major legislation, including:

• The Nevada Supported Decision-Making Act (AB180, 2019), which offers alternatives to guardianship and promotes the autonomy of individuals with disabilities.
• The Elimination of Subminimum Wage (SB341, 2023), ensuring people with disabilities are paid fairly for their labor.
• The Down Syndrome Information Act (AB166, 2023), ensuring accurate, evidence-based information is provided to expectant families.
• The Persons with Disabilities Bill of Rights Act (SB315, 2023), which affirms civil rights protections and sets the standard for inclusive treatment across all systems.

NGCDD also provides leadership training for self-advocates and families, empowering them to become agents of change in their communities.

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Services We Provide

NGCDD’s strategic investments in grantmaking, coalition-building, systems change efforts, and public education have led to more effective services and policies throughout Nevada. These initiatives include:

• Statewide training on Supported Decision-Making for judges, educators, families, and individuals with disabilities.
• Partnerships with lawmakers to develop and pass inclusive legislation shaped by the voices of self-advocates.
• Grants supporting rural outreach, early intervention for underserved communities, and leadership development for youth and young adults with disabilities.
• Public education and media campaigns to promote equity, accessibility, and inclusion across Nevada.
• Self-Advocacy Conferences that empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to raise their voices, share their experiences, and become leaders in their communities.
• Employer education programs that foster workforce inclusion by helping businesses adopt inclusive hiring practices, reduce stigma, and remove barriers to employment.

In addition, NGCDD provides employer education to encourage the hiring of individuals with disabilities, fostering statewide workforce inclusion. These efforts help to remove barriers to employment, challenge stigma, and build inclusive business practices that benefit both employers and communities.

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What We Bring to Nevada

As a federally designated DD Council under the ACL, NGCDD brings critical federal dollars into the state, which are matched with in-kind and leveraged resources to amplify local impact. These funds allow NGCDD to:

• Reduce long-term dependency on public services by promoting self-sufficiency and community inclusion.
• Provide early interventions that prevent costly institutionalization and emergency care.
• Build sustainable systems that streamline services and reduce duplication of effort.

Our work supports more than just individual empowerment—it improves Nevada’s economic health and strengthens community resilience.

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How We Create a Better Nevada

NGCDD operates at the intersection of policy, community, and lived experience. By uniting individuals with disabilities, families, providers, and decision-makers, the Council fosters effective change that prioritizes dignity, independence, and respect.

Our partnerships with local nonprofits, educators, healthcare providers, and employers help build inclusive systems that work for all Nevadans, not just those with disabilities. From rural outreach in Ely and Elko to urban leadership development in Las Vegas and Reno, NGCDD’s work touches every corner of the state.

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Nevadans Need These Programs

Approximately 460,000 Nevadans—about 15% of the state’s population—live with a disability. These individuals are supported by a larger network of caregivers, providers, and community members who benefit from ACL-funded programs.

Without the structure and support provided by ACL, programs like NGCDD could face destabilizing funding shortfalls. This would jeopardize our ability to serve Nevadans with disabilities and create ripple effects across the state’s education, healthcare, and employment systems.

ACL has been a cornerstone of effective disability policy and services since its inception in 2012. Any reorganization must not come at the cost of disrupting services that help Nevadans live, work, and thrive in the communities they call home.