Thurston County, Nebraska

Pender

Indian Health Service — Omaha/Winnebago Service Unit

Thurston County is home to the Omaha Nation and Winnebago Tribe. The IHS Omaha/Winnebago Service Unit in Winnebago provides primary care and developmental referrals for tribal members. For autism evaluations, staff connect families to IHS specialty networks or Children's Nebraska in Omaha.

Tribal families may also access Omaha Nation and Winnebago Tribe health and social services directly.

South Sioux City · multi-county

MercyOne — Developmental & Behavioral Health

MercyOne provides developmental and behavioral health services in the Siouxland area including South Sioux City. Dakota County families can access pediatric evaluations and specialist referrals. Families may also use Sioux City, IA providers just across the state line.

Sioux City, IA providers (just across the river) often serve Dakota County NE families.

South Sioux City · multi-county

UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute — Telehealth (Dakota Co.)

Telehealth consultations from the Munroe-Meyer Institute at UNMC allow Dakota County families to connect with Nebraska's top autism specialists without traveling to Omaha. Telehealth autism consultations and follow-up available for families enrolled in MMI programs.

Telehealth option for rural NE families. Worth calling MMI directly to ask about telehealth intake.

South Sioux City · multi-county

Early Development Network — Northeast Nebraska

Nebraska Part C Early Intervention for infants and toddlers under 3 in Dakota County. Free evaluations and in-home services. EDN serves the entire northeast Nebraska region including the Siouxland area.

FREE under IDEA Part C. Self-referral accepted.

Pender

Nebraska Early Development Network — Thurston County

Nebraska's EDN provides free early intervention for children birth to age 3 in Thurston County, including families on the Omaha and Winnebago reservations. Services are delivered in natural settings including home and tribal community spaces.

EDN coordinates with tribal health and social services for eligible families.

Pender

Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (Rural Northeast NE)

Centria Autism's telehealth-first ABA model serves rural Nebraska families including those in Thurston County. Remote BCBA supervision and local technician support can reduce travel time for families in Pender, Walthill, and surrounding communities.

Ask about IHS billing and tribal health insurance coverage.

South Sioux City · multi-county

Autism Society — Siouxland Chapter

Support group and resource network serving the tri-state Siouxland area including Dakota County, NE and families in neighboring Iowa and South Dakota. Parent meetups, resource sharing, and advocacy events.

Pender

Autism Society of Nebraska — Statewide Support

The Autism Society of Nebraska provides peer support and resource connections for families across Nebraska including Thurston County. Virtual programming helps rural and reservation-community families access the statewide autism network.

South Sioux City · multi-county

PTI Nebraska — IEP Advocacy (Dakota Co.)

Nebraska's federally funded PTI provides free IEP support and special education advocacy for Dakota County families. Phone and video consultations available statewide.

FREE. Available for any Nebraska IEP, 504, or special ed question.

Pender

PTI Nebraska — Parent Training & Information Center

PTI Nebraska serves all Nebraska families, including those in Thurston County and on tribal lands, with free special education advocacy, IEP support, and disability resource navigation. Remote consultation available.