Nebraska Disability Service Coordinators Face $16,000 Pay Cuts in State Takeover

State needs to hire 60 workers in Omaha to replace League of Human Dignity staff by April 1 deadline.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Nebraska is terminating its contract with the League of Human Dignity, a disability services organization that has coordinated care for 4,420 aged and disabled Nebraskans statewide. The state needs to hire over 100 new service coordinators in just six weeks to replace LHD workers, but state coordinator positions pay about $16,000 less than current LHD salaries, creating a major obstacle to the transition.

Why it matters

This sudden change in disability service providers is causing uncertainty and frustration for thousands of vulnerable Nebraskans and their families, who are worried about continuity of care and the ability of the state to adequately replace experienced LHD staff on such a tight timeline.

The details

The state is taking over services previously provided by the League of Human Dignity, which has coordinated care for Tricia Gushard's disabled son Elijah for eight years. Nebraska needs to hire over 100 new service coordinators, including about 60 in Omaha, to replace LHD workers by the April 1 transition date. However, the state coordinator positions pay $44,160 on average, compared to $56,000-$60,000 that LHD currently pays, representing a nearly $16,000 pay cut.

  • The state notified LHD of the contract termination in February 2026.
  • The transition to state-run services is scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2026.

The players

Tricia Gushard

A Nebraska mother who provides round-the-clock care for her disabled son Elijah, who has received services from the League of Human Dignity for eight years.

League of Human Dignity

A disability services organization that has coordinated care for 4,420 aged and disabled Nebraskans statewide, until the state terminated its contract with the organization.

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

The state agency that is taking over disability services previously provided by the League of Human Dignity, and needs to hire over 100 new service coordinators to replace LHD workers.

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What they’re saying

“The shock has worn off, but the frustration is still there. I think the irony is to have talked with you when I had not been communicated to by the state. It was not until Tuesday where I got an actual letter.”

— Tricia Gushard, Nebraska mother (3newsnow.com)

“People with the complex histories like my son and others need to have somebody right away who understands their needs.”

— Tricia Gushard, Nebraska mother (3newsnow.com)

“15 of those LHD employees previously worked for DHHS and left for better pay and "organizational culture." Now they're being asked to competitively apply to return to their former employer at lower salaries.”

— Anonymous LHD service coordinator (3newsnow.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This sudden transition in disability service providers raises concerns about continuity of care and the state's ability to adequately replace experienced LHD staff, especially given the significant pay gap between state and LHD positions that could make it difficult to recruit and retain qualified workers.