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From Council Public Policy Director, Lauren Pearcy:
As many of our readers know, the Council hosts a monthly Employment Roundtable among state agencies that serve youth with disabilities. The purpose of the group is to create a place where state leaders can regularly communicate about a common topic, come together to address gaps in our complex service system, and ultimately work toward the common goal of closing the gap between employment rates for people with and without disabilities.
During the June meeting, the team from Dept. of Human Services’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) joined us to talk about ways the SNAP Employment and Training program can partner with other disability programs to reach more people with disabilities. It was a wonderful example of linking a program that is not disability-specific, like SNAP, to the disability system – helping integrate our government services and stretch our resources.
The lead for Tennessee’s SNAP program, Lisa Cowell, has been in the human services field for decades but this was her first meeting that focused specifically on serving Tennesseans with disabilities. Lisa approached me afterward to share that her son has Autism and recently turned 21. Together, they will be navigating the adult service system for the first time.
“I haven’t known this world existed, and it is such a relief,” she said after hearing the passionate professionals around the table discuss employment. Lisa and I marveled about the timing of her visit to the Council and the Roundtable; it certainly felt meant-to-be. I could hardly wait to get back to my desk and connect Lisa to the Council’s resources, which will also help connect to our partners and colleagues – the “world” of disability she did not know about.
I always leave our Roundtable meetings energized, but meeting Lisa was extra special this month.
- Lauren Pearcy
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Council Staff Presents at National Siblings Conference
On June 22-23, Council Public Information Specialist Emma Shouse Garton represented TN's sibling support network for siblings of people with disabilities (TN Adult Brothers and Sisters, or "TABS") at the 7th annual Sibling Leadership Network conference in St. Paul, MN.
The Sibling Leadership Network promotes a broad network of siblings who share the experience of disability and people concerned with sibling issues by connecting them to supports across the lifespan enabling them to be effective advocates with their brother and sister. Read more about the conference here.
Along with two other siblings involved in the Supporting Families Community of Practice, Emma shared how siblings and families can use the Charting the LifeCourse framework and tools to develop goals and supports for themselves, their siblings and their families.
If you would like to get involved in TABS or the Sibling Leadership Network, or would like to schedule a presentation about the needs of siblings across the lifespan or the LifeCourse framework, contact Emma at emma.shouse@tn.gov or 615-253-5368.
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Save the Date: TN Siblings Conference, Nov. 9, Nashville
The TN Adults Brothers and Sisters (TABS) sibling support network is hosting a conference for siblings of individuals with disabilities on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC). TABS is coordinated by sibling volunteers, the Council, and VKC.
TABS strives to empower and educate siblings who have a brother or a sister with a disability with information and resources, and to develop local and statewide support networks of siblings. The conference will feature sessions on future planning, self-care, healthcare, and supported decision making.
Download the save the date flier and help us spread the word!
Registration will open on August 1 and close in October.
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Disability Rights TN offers new helpline for long-term services and supports
Through a new partnership with TennCare, Disability Rights Tennessee recently launched a helpline to assist Tennesseans with disabilities in enrolling in state long-term services and supports ("LTSS") programs. "LTSS Help TN" can help people learn about TennCare's CHOICES program and the Employment and Community First CHOICES program, how to apply, and how to appeal for these programs.
You can fill out a form on DRT's website here or give them a call at 888-723-8193 to speak with DRT staff for help in navigating these programs.
Learn more about how DRT can help here.
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7/8 & 7/9 - Linden, Bolivar and Selmer Rural Family Forums
The Arc Tennessee and the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities are hosting events across the state to talk with families who have members with disabilities about special education rights, adult disability services, and what families need.
The Council will be participating in many of these forums, and we are excited to meet families in rural TN that are impacted by disability! We had a great time meeting professionals serving families in Lake County and Hancock County in the past couple of weeks.
Please help us spread the word and RSVP today for the event closest to you.
- July 8; 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Linden (Perry County); Perry County Community Center, 113 Factory Street Linden TN 37096
- July 9; 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Bolivar (Hardeman County); Bolivar City Hall Conference Room, 211 N Washington St, Bolivar, TN 38008
- July 9; 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.; Selmer (McNairy County); McNairy Ag Center by McNairy High School, 845 High School Road Selmer, TN 38375
For more information, click here. To register: http://bit.ly/TNFamForums.
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Project SEARCH Success Story: Alicia's Employment Story
The TN Dept. of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) recently featured a wonderful success story about a young woman named Alicia Brown, who participated in one of Nashville's Project SEARCH sites, earned her occupational diploma, and got hired!
This Project SEARCH site is a partnership between Vocational Rehabilitation, Metro Nashville Public Schools, and Embassy Suites Downtown Nashville / Culinaire. Project SEARCH is a nationally acclaimed model for transitioning students with intellectual and developmental disabilities from high school into employment through internships at community businesses that the Council helped bring to TN.
In the video, Alicia shares about her experiences in Project SEARCH and working at her job: "It makes me feel proud of myself and very outgoing and helping other people. Hopefully, other people, when they watch this video, they'll see how this place actually works. It actually works for people."
Watch the video on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and share with your own networks!
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Transition Tennessee New Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Web Portal
Transition TN just launched their new Pre-Employment Transition Services portal, a hub for resources and professional development on Pre-ETS. (Read a fact sheet about Pre-ETS from Disability Rights TN.)
This new Transition TN “blueprint” offers guidance on delivering high quality services to students with disabilities transitioning to higher education and employment. They also offer an Educator Transition Blueprint for educators helping students with disabilities prepare for life after high school.
Sign up for a free account and you can check out the new Pre-ETS courses on the "Power of Early Work Experiences" and an "Overview of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Pre-ETS", as well as many other courses and webinars from Transition TN.
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7/26 - Youth Summit: Advocating for U(s)
The TN Dept. of Health, the Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Family Voices of TN are hosting a summit for youth and young adults ages 14-24 with special healthcare needs to help plan for their future and the transition into adulthood. Youth will discuss together transitioning or navigating the systems that impact their lives (health care, foster care, education, college, mental health, career paths, etc.).
Learn more and register for this free event here.
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7/27 - Southeast Adult Autism Symposium, Chattanooga
The Council is excited to once again be a founding sponsor of the Southeast Adult Autism Symposium, hosted by the GCA Centre for Adult Autism!
Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual Symposium, which will take place in Chattanooga and feature speakers and exhibitors from across the state. Final registration deadline is Thursday, July 18 (unless sold out before the final registration deadline).
For more information and to register, click here.
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Chattanoogan Hotel
1201 Broad Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
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By 8/15 - Weigh in on Disability Rights TN Areas of Work
Each year, Disability Rights TN asks people with disabilities, their family members, service providers, and professionals to give feedback on the issues they are working on.
Take their short 5-10 minute survey about what issues are most important in Tennessee. Your input will help shape the work of DRT from October 2019 to September 2020. If you would like help taking this survey, please contact 1-800-342-1660 or gethelp@disabilityrightstn.org.
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Two Surveys for TN Families with Young Children with Disabilities
STEP-TN (Support and Training for Exceptional Parents) wants to hear from two groups of families with kids with disabilities:
- Those with a child ages 3-5 who moved from TN Early Intervention Services to preschool or an early education program in the past 3 years; and
- Those with a child ages 5-7 who transitioned from preschool to kindergarten in the past 3 years.
What helped you and your child feel prepared during this transition? What were some challenges?
The information will help the TN Department of Education and STEP improve early education services for children with disabilities and families.
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Need information about
disability resources in your community?
Helpline: 1-800-640-4636;
Multilingual Services: 615-875-5083
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The Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities is a state agency established to improve disability policies and practices, educate policymakers and the public, and facilitate community collaboration to create lasting, positive change.
The Council provides equal opportunity and access to its programs and activities by the public, and in its hiring and employment practices. The Council prohibits discrimination in all activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. For more information, visit https://www.tn.gov/cdd/about-the-council/title-vi.html.
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Council Meeting Dates
- September 13, 2019 – Council Meeting
- November 14 & 15, 2019 – Annual Planning Retreat
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