The association’s goal is to promote and assist state agencies in developing effective, efficient service delivery systems that furnish high-quality supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
November 2025 Association Updates
Technical Assistance
- NASDDDS Technical Assistance (TA) is a core component of our member support, providing state I/DD directors and their staff with targeted expertise, resources, and collaborative opportunities to navigate complex policy and operational challenges. Our member states benefit from a variety of formal and informal technical assistance options, all customized to their specific state needs. Thank you to the 26 states that have reached out this year! For more information contact jzlockie@nasddds.org or visit our dedicated TA webpage https://www.nasddds.org/technical-assistance/
- NASDDDS is a contractor for the HCBS TA Center sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, providing technical assistance to state agencies pursuing 1915(c), 1915(i), 1915(j), and 1915(k) Home and Community Based Services waivers and state plan amendments in all stages of program development and implementation. We are thrilled to start helping states design and implement HCBS programs that fit their needs in this new TA year. For more information contact jzlockie@nasddds.org or submit your TA request @ Welcome to HCBS-TA | HCBS Technical Assistance Web Site
Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) Technical Assistance
- All state Medicaid programs must operate a PASRR program, which functionally is a partnership between the State Medicaid Agency (SMA), State Mental Health Authority (SMHA), and State Intellectual Disability Authority (SIDA).
- While PASRR has been part of the Medicaid program for the last three decades, there continue to be opportunities for NASDDDS members to consider design and implementation improvements to the SIDA’s PASRR obligations and operations.
- The NASDDDS team has been part of the national technical assistance team for the past five years and look forward to working with state PASRR programs under the recently updated TA contract with New Editions.
- Learn more about the CMS PASRR Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at https://www.pasrrassist.org/.
State and Federal Policy Summary and Analysis
NASDDDS works to make sure members’ expertise is reflected in both legislative and administrative policy decisions by maintaining strong bipartisan relationships on Capitol Hill and with relevant Executive branch agencies. The association keeps members up to date on new and changing federal policy developments and what they mean for state I/DD systems. NASDDDS supports members in navigating their state legislative processes in collaboration with state and community partners.
NASDDDS and ADvancing States are partnering to publish a guide to assist states in developing the MFP Supplemental Budget for the implementation of the HCBS Quality Measure Set for MFP grantee states.
Resources: Guidance to Non Loc Waivers
Major Projects
CoP for Supporting Families
- The Community of Practice (CoP) for Supporting Families is a 22 state collaborative focused on systems transformation to better support families of people with IDD.
- The CoP is led and facilitated by the National Team, a partnership between the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) and the University of Missouri Kansas City – Institute for Human Development (UMKC-IHD).
- This partnership brings the grassroots experiences of families and expertise in IDD systems together to support states in learning best family-centered practices, uniting around a common value set and principles, and connecting with states across the country for shared learning, the CoP creates an innovative space to focus on the needs of families.
- From 2021 RISP data, 8.38 million people in the US had an Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability. Of those 8.38 million, approximately 1.6 million people with IDD received services from state IDD agencies, with 61% of them living in their family home. (https://risp.umn.edu/products/key-questions/how-many-people-have-idd).
- https://www.supportstofamilies.org/
- https://www.supportstofamilies.org/2011-agenda/
- https://www.supportstofamilies.org/2022-agenda/
Enabling Technology Engagement Network (ETEN)
NASDDDS launched the Enabling Technology Engagement Network (ETEN) this year welcoming in seven vendors, seven states, and three health plans to enhance technology use in LTSS through strategic collaboration. Our goals are to increase access to technology, bridge knowledge gaps among states, vendors, and health plans, foster Federal Solutions to streamline the adoption of new technologies and guide vendors on navigating Medicaid markets. For more information contact jzlockie@nasddds.org or visit our dedicated webpage https://www.nasddds.org/enabling-technology-engagement-group/
- View the recording of the presentation.
- See the slide deck at THIS LINK.
- See the promotional flier at THIS LINK.
- Find the prospectus at THIS LINK
National Core Indicators (NCI)
- NCI heard from more than 17,500 people from 30 states in 2023-2024 as reflected in the In Person Survey Report and have done so for more than 25 years.
- The National NCI team provides state specific technical assistance for NCI data collection, reporting, and using the data for policy making and quality improvement.
- The NCI team is working closely with CMS and states to support the collection of Experience of Care data and reporting to CMS for MFP Grantee states and Access Rule at large.
- NCI measures are included in Federal Quality Initiatives such as the CMS Adult Core Measure Set and the HCBS Quality Measure Set
- The NCI team is in the process of merging the State of the Workforce Survey for IDD and the State of the Workforce Survey for AD into ONE Cross-Population State of the Workforce Survey that will also assist states to collect data and report the data required in the Access Rule Payment Adequacy provision. The tool is on schedule to go live on January 1, 2027.
- During times of change, it is imperative that states are equipped with data to make sound decisions, NCI provides that from the voice of the person served and their families.
- Survey report links
- In Person Survey at a Glance
- Family Surveys At a Glance
- State of the Workforce 2023
State Employment Leadership Network (SELN)
- SELN supports 27 states nationwide– up from 26 last year
- Rethought our approach to state system assessments and snapshot evaluations. Instead we help states continuously improve their goals, practices, and infrastructure using our Strategic Reflection Process
- Help bridge the gap between multiple levels of leadership (Director to Employment Lead, Employment Lead to Provider, Case Manager to Individual, etc.)
- Lead the associations conversations around IT infrastructure, including emerging use of AI.
The Link Center
- Through The Link Center, we are actively creating new resources. This includes the newly released “Helping to Heal” trauma toolkit (developed by our Steering Committee, utilizing multiple modalities for broad reach) and quarterly podcasts specifically tailored for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and other supporters. We are also currently developing resources to help states create 988 responsive systems that are inclusive of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), and to better support children with behavioral health needs. Stay tuned for these upcoming resources!
- The Link Center has successfully hosted nine quarterly Shared Learning Groups, bringing communities together to discuss and advance mental health access for people with disabilities.
Innovation and Education
- A Focus on Relationships: strong partnerships with families, schools, and community; empowered families; interagency teamwork; leadership attuned to individual’s/family’s needs.
- Innovative Funding: braided funding.
- Community-Based: holistic and culturally grounded practices, connected communities, indigenous knowledge and language services, outreach and land/place-based approaches.
- Integration/Collaboration: resource sharing, trauma-informed systems, interconnected frameworks, multi-skilled teams, career pathways, broad community voice and leadership.
- Technology: integrated and accessible systems, telehealth, data collection/sharing, social media, translation, and affordable connectivity for all.
- NASDDDS has conceptualized a new framework to guide states in structuring services and supports along a complete continuum of care. This framework will be shared during our “Breaking Silos” intensive session on Thursday, with future plans to develop tools for state implementation.
- Also working on collaboration to break some internal silos, focusing on ways to support states as they assist families with loved ones who have complex support needs. We are also developing a customizable state tool that includes key talking points, NCI data, and other relevant information regarding people with co-occurring needs.
- The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Affinity Group continues to provide a consistent platform for peer learning. Meanwhile, the Medical/Clinical Director Affinity Group has evolved to spotlight specific state models and case presentations, stimulating discussion and the sharing of best practices and resources. There is a growing focus on all things forensic and I/DD that we are tapping into with a few states – once we understand the full scope, we will brainstorm ways to support states.