If you are in Nebraska and caring for a loved one with intellectual or developmental disabilities, you have probably heard this question a lot lately:
“Are you on the Family Support Waiver?”
Over the past month, almost every conversation we have had with families and service coordinators has led back to the same topic. People want to know what the Family Support Waiver actually does, how it works, and whether it can help someone stay safely supported at home.
It makes sense. The waiver plays a quiet but important role in Nebraska. For many families, it is the first real opening into services that feel flexible, supportive, and rooted in community.
What the Family Support Waiver Is
The Family Support Waiver is a Home and Community Based Services waiver for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are birth through age 21 and live in their family home.
The goal is simple. It helps families continue caring for their child at home while receiving the kinds of support that strengthen daily life and build skills. It is not designed to replace the family’s role. It is designed to support it.
The waiver does not fund twenty four hour residential care or full shared living arrangements. It offers intermittent supports that help a young person stay safely and meaningfully connected to their home, school, and community.
What It Covers in Nebraska
Each state defines its waivers differently. In Nebraska, families can generally expect the Family Support Waiver to include:
• Intermittent services that support daily life and community involvement
• Limited respite options that give families a short break
• Skill-building supports that help encourage independence
• Help with transportation or community integration
• Coordination and planning, so families are not navigating everything alone
For many families, the most meaningful part is simple. The waiver helps individuals remain at home while still receiving consistent, structured support.
This is where Alora fits in. Every part of our Bridge Support in Nebraska is provided through the Family Support Waiver.
