What Nebraska DHHS does

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (Nebraska DHHS) is a state government executive branch agency headquartered at 301 Centennial Mall South in Lincoln, Nebraska, operating under the authority of the State of Nebraska. It administers an integrated portfolio of health and human services programs through six divisions: Behavioral Health, Children and Family Services, Developmental Disabilities, Medicaid & Long-Term Care, Public Health, and Economic Assistance. DHHS delivers services through two digital self-service platforms — iServe Nebraska and the legacy ACCESSNebraska eligibility system — supported by a statewide network of local offices and dedicated phone-based helplines including the Nebraska Family Helpline (888-866-8660), Medicaid Assistance, Economic Assistance, the Abuse & Neglect hotline, and the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Headcount is reported in the 1,001–5,000 employee range.

The agency's service portfolio spans child welfare and foster care (including the Title IV-E Child Welfare Waiver Demonstration Project, Safety Organized Practice, Alternative Response, and NYTD), Medicaid and CHIP managed care oversight (contracted to Molina Healthcare, Nebraska Total Care, and UnitedHealthcare under Heritage Health), public health programs (newborn screening under Neb. Rev. Stat. §§71-519 to 71-524, with an $89.34 lab fee, vital records, disease surveillance, licensing), economic assistance (SNAP, TANF/ADC, child care subsidy, energy assistance, WIC serving ~38,000 people monthly), and specialized programs such as the N-MIECHV evidence-based home visiting program (capacity for 766 families), the Safe Haven program (allowing surrender of infants up to 90 days old), and Indian Child Welfare Services under ICWA in coordination with four federally recognized tribes.

Nebraska DHHS is funded through a combination of state legislative appropriations and federal grants rather than commercial revenue, with no private ownership, equity investors, or stock listing. Its operating model is structured around regulatory mandates rather than market-driven pricing; certain program-specific fees exist (newborn screening lab fee $89.34, Central Registry Background Check fee increased from $2.50 to $3.00 effective November 1, 2025, Metabolic Foods Program reimbursement up to $2,000 per year) but most services are provided free of charge to eligible beneficiaries. Partnerships with local implementing agencies (Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, Panhandle Public Health District, Northeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership, Nebraska Children's Home Society) extend service delivery across all 93 Nebraska counties.

Name

Nebraska DHHS

Legal name

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

Website

https://dhhs.ne.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Nebraska DHHS is the State of Nebraska's executive branch agency administering Medicaid, child welfare, public health, behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and economic assistance programs (SNAP, TANF, child care subsidy, WIC) to approximately two million state residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Health and Human Services

NAICS

Administration of Public Health Programs (923120), Community Food Services (62421), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maternal, Child & Family Health Departments (HLAJAAAK), Healthcare-Linked Social Benefits Administration (e.g., Medicaid/Means-Tested Health Coverage) (BPAIAKAH), Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (MNCH) Programs (BPADAIAC), Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs (BPAIAKAF)

Keywords

• Public health services
• Medicaid administration
• Child welfare programs
• Economic assistance benefits
• Developmental disabilities services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Nebraska DHHS is a state government agency that administers and delivers health and human services programs to Nebraska residents. It provides Medicaid and CHIP health coverage, SNAP food assistance, TANF cash assistance, child care subsidies, foster care and adoption services, newborn screening, behavioral health services, developmental disabilities support, and public health programs. Services are delivered through a statewide network of local offices, the iServe Nebraska and ACCESSNebraska online portals, and dedicated helplines.

Product overview

Nebraska DHHS provides a comprehensive suite of health and human services programs delivered primarily through its online portals and local offices. The core service delivery platform consists of iServe Nebraska (self-service portal for benefits management) and ACCESSNebraska (eligibility management for Medicaid and economic assistance). Key service programs include the Newborn Screening Program with metabolic foods support, Child Care Subsidy Program, Foster Care Services with multiple care types, the N-MIECHV evidence-based home visiting program, Safe Haven infant surrender program, Indian Child Welfare Services under ICWA, the Child Welfare Waiver Demonstration Project, Safety Organized Practice framework, and the National Youth in Transition Database. These programs collectively address child welfare, family support, health services, and economic assistance across Nebraska communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• iServe Nebraska Nebraska's self-service online portal for applying for and managing DHHS benefits and services including Medicaid, SNAP, child care subsidy, and economic assistance programs. Available 24/7 to Nebraska residents.
• ACCESSNebraska Eligibility management system for Medicaid and Economic Assistance programs, currently transitioning to the iServe Nebraska portal.
• Nebraska Newborn Screening Program Blood tests performed on all babies born in Nebraska to detect conditions that could be harmful, including a Metabolic Foods Program providing reimbursement up to $2,000 per year for eligible individuals with metabolic diseases.
• Child Care Subsidy Program Financial assistance program helping families with child care costs for children age 12 and younger, administered through iServe Nebraska. Covers full cost of care for eligible families; some families may owe a monthly fee depending on income.
• Foster Care Services Programs supporting foster parents in Nebraska, including relative/kinship foster care, licensed foster homes, therapeutic family care, and foster parent training.
• N-MIECHV Home Visiting Program Evidence-based home visiting services using the Healthy Families America model, supporting pregnant and parenting families with children birth to age 5, with capacity to serve 766 families across the state of Nebraska.
• Safe Haven Program Program allowing parents to legally surrender babies up to 90 days old at designated locations including hospitals, staffed fire stations, law enforcement agencies, or emergency care providers, without prosecution.
• Indian Child Welfare Services Services ensuring compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) for Native American children and families, including the Together for Indigenous Families initiative covering five tribal nations.
• Child Welfare Waiver Demonstration Project Federal waiver project allowing Nebraska to use federal funds to improve outcomes for children and families, including the Alternative Response model and provider performance improvement approaches.
• Safety Organized Practice Collaborative approach emphasizing teamwork in child welfare, combining solution-focused techniques, Signs of Safety, trauma-informed practice, and Structured Decision Making frameworks.
• National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Tracking system for services provided to Nebraska youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood, implemented through surveys and data collection.
• Medicaid and Heritage Health Managed Care Health coverage program administered through the Heritage Health managed care model with partners Molina Healthcare, Nebraska Total Care, and United Health Care, serving Nebraska Medicaid clients including seniors and individuals with disabilities needing long-term care.
• Women Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program Federal nutrition support program serving approximately 38,000 people per month across Nebraska, providing supplemental nutrition to women, infants, and children.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of N-MIECHV caregivers enrolled are screened for relationship violence, depression, and substance use within the first 3 months
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Molina HealthcareminorOthersManaged Care Organization partner providing Medicaid managed care services under the Heritage Health program for Nebraska Medicaid clients.
• Nebraska Total CareminorOthersManaged Care Organization partner providing Medicaid managed care services under the Heritage Health program for Nebraska Medicaid clients.
• United Health Care - Heritage HealthminorOthersManaged Care Organization partner providing Medicaid managed care services under the Heritage Health program for Nebraska Medicaid clients.
• National Safe Haven AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization supporting Nebraska's Safe Haven program. The National Safe Haven Alliance crisis line (1-888-510-BABY) is referenced as a resource for speaking to someone about safe surrender. Nebraska Safe Haven law allows babies up to 90 days old to be surrendered at designated locations without prosecution.
• Together for Indigenous Families Partners (Winnebago, Omaha, Ponca Tribes and Nebraska Court Improvement Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive-year cooperative project between Nebraska Division of Children and Family Services, Nebraska Court Improvement Project, and Winnebago, Omaha, and Ponca Tribes. Aims to streamline communication between jurisdictions, enhance experiences of Indigenous families in child welfare, and build tribal community capacity for prevention services.
• Lincoln-Lancaster County Health DepartmentminorOthersLocal implementing agency for N-MIECHV Healthy Families Home Visiting program serving Lancaster County/Lincoln Metro area.
• Panhandle Public Health DistrictminorOthersLocal implementing agency for N-MIECHV Healthy Families America program serving 12 counties in the Nebraska Panhandle (Box Butte, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Banner, Kimball, Cheyenne, Garden, Deuel, Dawes, Sioux, Sheridan, and Grant counties).
• Northeast Nebraska Community Action PartnershipminorOthersLocal implementing agency for N-MIECHV Healthy Families program serving 14 counties in northeast Nebraska (Dakota, Thurston, Knox, Cedar, Dixon, Antelope, Pierce, Wayne, Madison, Stanton, Cuming, Burt, Dodge, and Washington).
• Nebraska Children's Home SocietyminorOthersLocal implementing agency for N-MIECHV Healthy Families America program serving Douglas County/Omaha Metro, Sarpy, Saunders, and Lincoln County.
• Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Coalition (NICWC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition providing Indian Child Welfare resources and support. Listed as a resource on the Indian Child Welfare Resources page with contact information (855-280-2526).
• Nebraska Human Trafficking Task ForceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-agency task force addressing human trafficking in Nebraska. DHHS Division of Children and Family Services is a member. Task force brings together law enforcement, service providers, and advocates.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Wisconsin's state agency delivering health and human services across Medicaid, child welfare, behavioral health, aging, and public health — a structurally similar integrated DHHS organization to Nebraska's, with comparable rural service delivery challenges.
• Iowa Department of Health and Human Services: Nebraska's immediate neighbor and most directly comparable state DHHS in terms of population size, rural-urban composition, and benefit program mix. Both administer Medicaid, SNAP, child welfare, and aging services through regional field offices with similar population-center challenges.
• California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS): California's primary state agency administering Medi-Cal (Medicaid), behavioral health, and public health programs. Operates with comparable functional scope to Nebraska DHHS but at vastly larger scale, including managed care procurement and IT modernization initiatives parallel to iServe Nebraska.
• Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Pennsylvania's integrated health and human services department administering Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, child welfare, and aging services. Operates a comparable multi-division structure (Office of Income Maintenance, Office of Children, Youth and Families) analogous to Nebraska DHHS divisions.
• Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS): Illinois's state agency administering Medicaid, CHIP, and family support programs. Highly comparable scope to Nebraska's Medicaid & Long-Term Care and Economic Assistance divisions, including managed care contracting and benefits portal modernization.
• Missouri Department of Social Services: Missouri's integrated social services agency administering Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, child welfare, and youth services. Operates a comparable divisional structure (Family Support Division, Children's Division) matching Nebraska DHHS's service delivery architecture.
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC): Texas's integrated health and human services agency administering Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, child welfare, behavioral health, and public health — a direct functional equivalent to Nebraska DHHS at much larger scale. Both agencies manage Heritage Health-equivalent managed care programs and oversee statewide local office networks.
• Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS): Kansas's primary state agency administering aging services, developmental disabilities, behavioral health, and Medicaid waiver programs. Closely parallels Nebraska's Division of Developmental Disabilities and State Unit on Aging functions, including Medicaid home and community-based services.
• Florida Department of Children and Families: Florida's state agency administering child welfare, economic assistance, behavioral health, and adult protective services — closely paralleling Nebraska's Division of Children and Family Services and Economic Assistance functions, including abuse/neglect hotlines and foster care programs.

Broad incumbents

• Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing: Colorado's primary state agency administering Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and CHP+, with adjacent public health responsibilities. Functions as a more Medicaid-specialized peer to Nebraska's Division of Medicaid & Long-Term Care, including managed care procurement and benefits technology platforms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NEDHHS
• Facebookfacebook.com/NEDHHS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nebraska-department-of-health-and-human-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments1 record

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Frequently asked questions about Nebraska DHHS