Breaking Ground 114

Summer 2023

Click the links below to read individual articles.

Breaking Ground 114

Introduction by Lauren Pearcy, Executive Director, TN Council on Developmental Disabilities

Dear Readers,

This summer marks an exciting anniversary: 30 years of our biggest leadership program, Partners in Policymaking®. Each year, approximately 25 people from all corners of Tennessee have learned about disability best practices and leadership skills. After graduating, these leaders bring their knowledge and passion back to their communities across Tennessee. As they do, they increase the impact of the program many times over. This is one of the most important ways our small agency makes a big impact throughout Tennessee: by investing in community leaders.

For most of the program’s history, Partners in Policymaking was held in person on weekends. This design worked well for the pre-pandemic era. In 2020, we (like everyone else!) suddenly shifted to virtual so that we could keep the program going. Now, at our 30th anniversary, we are going to step back and regroup. We will reflect this year on the program’s accomplishments, on celebrating our graduates, and on designing what’s next in the post-pandemic era. Watch our newsletters for updates and ways to get involved!

In the meantime, I want to share a photo of our most recent graduating class and their names/hometowns. These are your state’s newest leaders. Congratulations, Partners class of 2022-23!

Sincerely,

Lauren Pearcy
Executive Director

a diverse group of about 20 adults with and without disabilities pose for a group photo in the hotel courtyard holding up their Partners paper certificates.

Partners scholars with their graduation certificates, April 2023. Graduates not pictured: Heather Bensch, Colleen Campbell, Olivia Crossman, Edel Pace, and Justin Ralls

Resources and news highlighted in this issue of Breaking Ground

Our new webpage on promotiong positive behavioral health for people with disabilities and their families, including our Healthy Behavior checklist
Congratulations to our 4th graduating class of the TN Leadership Academy for Excellence in Disability Services, a collaborative efforts by the Council and the TN Department of Human Resources (originally run as article in our e-news)
TN Disability Pathfinder - our state's free information hub for disability services, supports, and events. A collaborative effort by Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, the Council, and many state agencies.
TN Center for Decision-Making Support - information, tools, and resources about decision-making options for people with disabilities. A collaborative effort by The Arc Tennessee, Disability Rights TN, and the Council.
TNHousingSearch.org - Affordable, accessible housing can be hard to find for many people with disabilities. If you’re looking for options for independent living, you're not alone! There is a resource that can help: www.TNHousingSearch.org.

The Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) offers the site, which is a database of affordable rental properties across Tennessee. Interested renters can search by:

city,
county,
rent price range,
number of bedrooms,
accessibility features,
and many other items.

Search results will show the property on a map and include pictures of the property. It will describe the property’s access to transportation and other nearby services. The listing will give you direct contact information for property managers and describe the application requirements. If you don’t have computer access, you can call 1-877-428-8844 for bilingual, one-on-one help finding the right rental home for your needs and budget.

Breaking Ground 114