In June of 2022, the Nation celebrated the 23rd year since the Olmstead ruling. Through the Olmstead lawsuit, the Supreme Court interpreted the Americans with Disabilities Act and found that unnecessary segregation of people with disabilities is unlawful and upheld that people with disabilities have a right to live and receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate.

In 2018, Nevada developed a Behavioral Health Community Integration (BHCI) Strategic Plan to guide system improvements. In alignment with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the mission of the BHCI Plan is to ensure that Nevadans have the opportunity to achieve optimal quality of life in the community of their choice. The vision is that Nevadans, regardless of age or ability, will enjoy a meaningful life led with dignity and self-determination. Since the 2018 Plan was developed, many improvements and system changes have taken place. Yet, considerable work is still required to reach this vision. Under the direction of DHHS, the Division of Public and Behavioral Health convened a cross-agency Steering Committee to update the 2018 BHCI Plan, concluding this work at the end of 2022.

The resulting 2023 BHCI Plan is informed by existing plans, state experts, and peer-reviewed publications. It documents progress made and sets forward important strategies to strengthen the systems and supports for people with behavioral health disabilities to live and receive services in integrated, community-based settings that reflect their choices.

Click on the following link for the full plan: Nevada Behavioral Health Community Integration Plan_1_1_2023