The Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging works every day to become the nation's most person-centered and cost-effective state support system for people older adults and people with disabilities. We execute our vision of supporting all Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live fulfilling and rewarding lives through dedicated service and hard work. We are pioneers among our peers as the first state to receive Person-Centered Excellence Network Accreditation from the Council on Quality and Leadership. We pursue increased employment opportunities for people with disabilities in competitive integrated settings. We work to ensure that people can engage with their broader community while maintaining the best possible health. Learn more about our services at http://tn.gov/didd
External link for Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging
400 Deaderick St.
Citizens Plaza, 10th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243, US
We are beyond grateful to live and work in a state where our neighbors have such enormous hearts. Commissioner Brad Turner and members of the DDA Executive Team visited Greeneville and Johnson City on Wednesday to meet with providers, volunteers, and employees about the impact of Hurricane Helene on the disability and aging community in areas ravaged by flooding. Staff at the Roby Fitzgerald Adult Center in Greeneville described how they obtained resources amid power, water and travel impacts to deliver boxed meals and water to 89 homebound older adults who depend on meal delivery services. Leaders at Dawn of Hope, Inc talked about the resiliency of their direct support professionals and the people they support as they weathered the storm. Finally, Commissioner Turner met with DDA employees who worked around the clock to support some of our most medically complex people in the community homes, and then used their off time to help colleagues and neighbors clean up debris. In the mountains and valleys of East Tennessee, in the halls of DDA, and in the homes of the people we support, the heartbeat of the Volunteer State is strong. We thank our employees, our providers, direct support professionals, the First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging & Disability, and countless volunteers for their courage and heart in the face of disaster.
There's great talent on the seating and positioning team! We asked clinicians and medical equipment fabricators to share their strengths in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. All month long, we're recognizing how employees with disabilities and older adults bring their incredible strengths to jobs across the Volunteer State. Learn More about the S&P Team Here: https://bit.ly/4dJarkV
What a year it has been! The strides we've seen children make are incredible. We are so thankful for our TEIS team, families, and participants who show the true value of early intervention. Here's to the years to come!
Today marks a year since Tennessee became the first state in the nation to offer early intervention services to children from birth to school age. To date, nearly 5,000 children have received services through the TEIS Extended Option since its implementation in 2022. The expansion of early intervention services to Tennessee families would not be possible without the dedication and flexibility of our families, staff, providers, and those dedicated to early intervention services. We have enhanced our program and also closed a critical gap in services for children in Tennessee. Together, we have made remarkable strides in supporting families and ensuring children have the resources they need to thrive.
It was a pleasure to get out of the office and ride along with a volunteer with Knox County Mobile Meals (Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee) recently. Our team got to experience firsthand the great things they're doing to serve older adults in the area! It's not just about delivering nutritious meals. Sometimes that person at the door with a food delivery is the only contact these folks will have in a given week. Because of this, volunteers and Nutrition Services employees use an app to track changes of condition. This can be anything from medical emergencies to food insecurity to the home environment. Last year alone, the Knoxville office followed up on 1,300 change of condition reports! If you or a loved one could use a service like this, please check out our website to get in contact with your local area agency! https://lnkd.in/gEKrGGjP
Success within TEIS starts with its staff! Some of the best days on the job are when we get to get out and meet with our team face-to-face and experience the incredible work they're doing. This week, TEIS leadership traveled to Chattanooga. They toured Siskin Children's Institute, which collaborates with TEIS to offer at-home early intervention services in the Southeast. They witnessed firsthand how Siskin is improving the quality of life for the children they serve. Additionally, TEIS leadership met with staff at the Southeast Point of Entry office. These visits help keep staff informed about learning opportunities, system updates, and new ways to connect families with local resources. Significant effort goes into making sure every child in TEIS receives quality care!
We're starting off our October strong and recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month! We asked central office staff to share their strengths as part of the #HireMyStrengths campaign. All month long, we'll be sharing stories of Tennesseans with disabilities and older adults who bring their incredible talents to the workplace. Want to learn more? Click Here: https://bit.ly/3zFXA4A.
It's October and we're celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month! NDEAM recognizes the value and talent workers with disabilities and older adults add to Tennessee's workplaces and economy. DDA is proud to support this year's national theme - "Access to Good Jobs for All." YOU can participate in the #HireMyStrengths campaign by sharing your strengths. Download the template here: https://bit.ly/3Bpw8IO
The first step to changing the lives of older adults and Tennesseans with disabilities is joining the team! Our incredible HR team met with Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) students during the BIG Career Fair and shared a number of great opportunities available within DDA. Want to join the team? Apply here: https://bit.ly/3Bltm7r
Hey everyone, this is Emily! I want to update you on my internship with DDA and how it is going. I do news clips and captions every Monday morning, and I also write Open Line articles every Wednesday morning. I do photography and social media. I did a video at a doctor's office. I'm learning a lot and I really want to have this job one day after I graduate from Lipscomb University!