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Stroke signs? B.E.F.A.S.T. — Call 911 immediately.

What We Do

Advocacy

Advocacy

"No One Should Face Stroke Alone"

A Voice for Better Stroke Care in Nebraska

The Nebraska Stroke Association works to strengthen stroke care, recovery, and support across the state.

Advocacy means helping make sure the needs of stroke survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and communities are represented when decisions are made about stroke systems, access to care, rehabilitation, and long-term support.

Our role is collaborative. We work alongside healthcare professionals, state agencies, community partners, and others who are working to improve outcomes for Nebraskans affected by stroke.

Helping Build Nebraska’s Stroke System of Care

In 2016, Nebraska passed LB722, the Stroke System of Care Act, creating a statewide framework to improve the way stroke patients are identified, transported, treated, and connected across the continuum of care. The law established hospital stroke designations, coordination standards, EMS-related stroke planning, and the Nebraska Stroke System of Care Task Force.

The Nebraska State Stroke Association was specifically named in the law as one of the organizations represented on that task force. The task force advises the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services on stroke triage, treatment, transport, hospital coordination, rural and urban access, and telehealth.

Link to LB722 – Stroke System of Care Act

A Continuing Role in Statewide Stroke Care

The work did not stop when the legislation passed.

Nebraska’s Stroke Advisory Task Force continues to advise the Department of Health and Human Services on implementation of the Stroke System of Care. DHHS maintains information on designated stroke hospitals, clinical protocols, rehabilitation resources, task-force meetings, and statewide stroke initiatives.

NSA continues to be recognized by DHHS as a stroke partner providing community outreach and support.

Nebraska DHHS Stroke System of Care

Strengthening the System Over Time

Nebraska’s stroke system has continued to evolve.

In 2021, LB476 expanded the Stroke System of Care Act by adding a statewide quality-improvement plan, stroke registry, and data oversight process. These changes were designed to help the state better evaluate stroke response and treatment and identify opportunities to improve care across different regions of Nebraska.

LB476 – Stroke System of Care Updates

Bringing Stroke Awareness Into the Community

Through Strike Out Stroke, we partner with hospitals and community organizations to take stroke education beyond hospital walls. These events help us teach the BE FAST warning signs, start conversations, and connect people with resources close to home.

Creating Places to Belong

Stroke can feel isolating for both survivors and caregivers. We help connect people with support groups and experiences like Stroke Camp, where they can meet others who understand the ups, downs, and unexpected parts of life after stroke.

Helping Remove Barriers

Sometimes the right opportunity is there, but the cost makes it hard to participate. When we are able, NSA helps provide scholarships so survivors and caregivers can access programs, education, and supportive experiences.

Helping People Find “What’s Next”

One of the most common questions after stroke is, “Where do we go from here?”

We work with hospitals, community partners, and organizations across Nebraska to help people find rehabilitation, support groups, caregiver resources, adaptive equipment, and other services that can make the next step feel a little less overwhelming.

Advocacy Can Be Personal

Sometimes advocacy is a statewide partnership.

Sometimes it is helping one caregiver find a support group.

Sometimes it is making sure one survivor gets the chance to attend Stroke Camp.

Sometimes it is simply reminding someone that they are not doing this alone.

That is the kind of advocacy we believe in.

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