Safety Priorities

We're working to make things safer for Tennesseans with developmental disabilities, especially when they interact with police and the criminal justice system.

Safety covers many different topics, from emergencies and health problems to preventing abuse and speaking up for yourself. Right now, one of our priorities includes safety issues involving police and the criminal justice system. We decided this needed to be one of our priorities because of stories we've heard from Tennesseans with developmental disabilities, their families, and partners across the state. Often people with developmental disabilities have interactions with police and the criminal justice system when they can’t get the behavioral health support that they need.

Council members and partners have told us they're worried about experiences Tennesseans with developmental disabilities of all ages have with police and the criminal justice system. We want to help make things better in real, measurable ways.

Share Your Story

Have you or someone you care about had an experience with police, or the criminal justice system?
Your story helps us understand what's happening across Tennessee. It also helps guide the work we do with our partners.

Click here to submit your safety story.

What the Council is doing

We're working on a few important projects right now:

  • Bringing together police and other first responders for a problem-solving roundtable. This group will find gaps in the system and improve how they respond to emergencies. (Police officers, 911 dispatchers, and emergency workers can contact Emma Shouse Garton at emma.shouse@tn.gov if you want to join.)
  • Making training better and helping different systems work together. We're partnering with groups like NAMI-TN's Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) team and TN START at the TN Dept. Of Disability and Aging to help police and first responders better understand intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • Helping people with disabilities in crisis. We're working with public defenders to connect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in jail to support services when they get out. We’re also partnering with Adult Protective Services to help their teams understand resources for people with disabilities they serve.
  • Building a stronger plan for the whole state. Right now, the safety support someone can get depends on where they live. We want to change that.
  • Working with partners on challenges facing children with disabilities in schools and in state custody. We’re working with other disability groups and state agencies to improve behavior help for children with disabilities in schools, state custody, and juvenile justice systems.

Safety alert options to consider

Communities across Tennessee use different tools to share important information during emergencies or when talking to first responders. These options change over time and are different depending on where you live. This list isn't complete, but it's a good place to start.

Statewide options (available everywhere in Tennessee)

  • TBI Silver Alerts (missing person alerts for adults with disabilities and people age 60 and older) and TBI’s Find App & CareKit (app for missing persons and tool to create profiles to share during emergencies)
  • TDOT Yellow Dot Program (packet with medical and contact info that goes in your car)
  • CARETag  (a statewide medical alert option that’s similar to Yellow Dot, but for your home). Families work with a local coordinator to gather personal medical information. First responders are trained to look for a sticker inside the front door and a magnet on the freezer; the information is stored in a fire- and waterproof bag kept in the freezer.
  • Driver's license / ID options (you can add an intellectual/developmental disability or traumatic brain injury label, and there are options if you don't drive)
  • "Precious Cargo" vehicle option (through vehicle registration)
  • Vehicle license plates, placards, and decals (several options related to disability)

Local tools (What's available will depend on your county or city.)

Learn more and related resources