A Message From Deputy Commissioner Stephen H. Norris
The Division of Intellectual Disabilities is entering into the third year of Person-Centered Organizational Change efforts funded by the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Over the course of the last two years, we have had the benefit of participating in a Community of Practice with the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS), Virginia Commonwealth University and five other states. As we continue our person-centered system change efforts, it is important we communicate the basic principles of what we mean by “Person-Centered Practices.”
The Division of Intellectual Disabilities Services is committed to the principles of Person-Centered Practices and to a Person-Centered system of services for individuals with intellectual disabilities in Tennessee. We are committed to embracing these principles in our day-to-day work, and expect the same commitment from all stakeholders in our service system. It is the responsibility of every person and every organization in our system to become educated about Person-Centered principles and practices, and to take steps to increase your own expertise in using these principles in your day-to-day work. The Division will provide support and training to help us reach our mutual goals of a Person-Centered system for Tennesseans with intellectual disabilities and their families.
The State of Virginia is one of our partners who have developed some excellent material to describe these principles. The Virginia Person-Centered Practices Leadership Team has graciously granted us permission to use and adapt these materials for the State of Tennessee
Governor Bill Haslam
