November 2022

View the original email campaign with photos.

From the Council's Chief Public Information Officer

Dear readers,

Is anyone else already dreaming of Thanksgiving dinner? I’ve been saving recipes for weeks. I admit, the menu is a central part of every holiday for me.

My family will be gathering in a little rental house at the lakeshore. We’re doing some extra celebrating this year: Thanksgiving Day is also my dad’s 70th birthday! (He says it’s okay to tell you that – he's earned his years.)

I’ve been thinking lately about what makes a good life. We talk about that a lot at the Council. Our work centers on making sure people with disabilities and their families have what they need for GOOD LIVES.

But what does that really mean? The specifics will be different for every person. Are there core ingredients?

Take my dad’s 70 years.

As many of you know, my dad lost his vision in a cycling accident in 1980. He has faced many barriers. His life has not been easy. But I think he’d tell you it has been GOOD.

Just to give you a glimpse: After his accident and recovery, dad returned to his career as a respiratory therapist. He served as the president of the Florida Society for Respiratory Care for many years. He retired last year as a recognized leader in his field.

Dad is an accomplished baker and cook. He and my mom enjoy camping and traveling with friends. He teaches an adult study class at church. He’s auditing an archaeology class at a nearby university. He was just elected to the neighborhood association board.

Above and through it all, my dad’s loving constancy has been a guiding star for our family. His made-up stories and games delight his grandchildren as they did his children.

While your specifics might be different, I’d guess your hopes for a good life have a lot of the same elements:

  • Warm and loving relationships
  • Community belonging
  • Meaningful work and service
  • Chances to create, learn, and explore (Pssst… If you’re an artist with a disability, send us your works and you could be published – see below for details!)
  • Personal beliefs and values that anchor your life
  • The ability to choose your own path and go after your own goals and interests

You'll see below two short videos that tell the story of how McKenzie Tuckson is getting support to speak for herself and live her vision for a good life. The services she gets through the Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES program help her to do that. Maybe those services could help you, too.

This Thanksgiving, I hope you have your own, long list of reasons for gratitude. If you are struggling, I wish for you hope in better days ahead. (Keep reading for other resources that might help.)

As I count my blessings, I include my coworkers at the Council – and each of you. Together, we are working to ensure for our loved ones with disabilities a future full of the ingredients for a GOOD LIFE.

With gratitude,

Jolene Sharp

Chief Public Information Officer

P.S. Stuck in a rut or not sure what a good life looks like for you or a loved one with a disability? Check out the Charting the LifeCourse tools to help you brainstorm ideas and resources!

NEW VIDEOS: Hearing and Supporting McKenzie

An Employment and Community First CHOICES story

What does it look like when someone with a developmental disability gets the support they need to lead their own vision for a good life? 

McKenzie Tuckson's life is full of choices, on everything from where to eat (her favorite restaurant, Doll's, of course!) to whether to ride the bus to where to work and her plans for the future.

The Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES program offers support and tools so McKenzie can make and communicate her choices for a good life. 

  • "Hearing McKenzie": See how getting support to communicate her choices allows McKenzie to advocate for herself and others.
  • "Supporting McKenzie": See how leading her plan for support to work and grow her independence sets McKenzie up for a bright future. 

Could you benefit from support in your home and community through ECF CHOICES? The program is enrolling new members now!

ECF can help you or your family:

  • Explore jobs that you might like
  • Connect to social and community activities
  • Get personal assistance or respite care to give caregivers a break
  • Help with transportation
  • Access many other kinds of supports and services

Now’s a great time to apply! Learn more and get started.

Send us your art for our Breaking Ground magazine

Every year, the Council produces a special issue of our magazine, Breaking Ground, celebrating the creative work of Tennesseans with disabilities. We feature all kinds of artwork and writing, as well as articles about inclusive arts programs across the state.

Explore last year's issue, including videos from featured artists, here.

If you:

  • create any kind of visual art
  • take photos
  • write poetry, creative essays, or stories
  • make crafts
  • engage in other artistic activities

... send us your work! We can consider written work up to 1,000 words and up to 3 pieces of visual artwork.

If you act in plays, play instruments, sing, or dance, feel free to send us photos of yourself doing those activities, too.

If you know of arts programs or groups leading great inclusive activities for folks with and without disabilities, please let us know!

Send your work and ideas by email to tnddc@tn.gov before January 15, 2023. Please include:

  • your name
  • where you live
  • a brief bio

It is important to us to celebrate work by artists from all kinds of diverse backgrounds, with all types of disabilities, and all sorts of life experiences. Please help us spread the word in your networks about this opportunity!

Questions? Email us at tnddc@tn.gov.

Get to Know a Leader: Tiffany Ramsey, Vocational Rehabilitation Services Director, Division of Rehabilitation Services, TN Dept. of Human Services

We like to introduce our readers to different leaders of agencies and programs that impact Tennesseans with disabilities. Meet Tiffany Ramsey, the new director of Vocational Rehabilitation services at the Dept. of Human Services.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) provides employment-focused services for people with disabilities including job placement, school-to-work programs, guidance and counseling, transportation, personal care, technology, and more.

Tell us a bit about your career background and your current role.

I began my journey with the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program in May 2011. Over the years, I served in various positions within the VR program. Most recently, I was the East TN Area Director. In this role, I provided leadership and oversight for the 34 counties in East Tennessee. I have experience working with Transition School to Work programs, Community Tennessee Rehabilitation Centers, and providing a range of VR services to Tennesseans with disabilities.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Master of Science in Counseling degrees from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. My Master of Science degree in Counseling is with a concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling. I have been a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) since 2010. I am also a Ph.D. Candidate in the Learning and Leadership Doctoral Program at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. In May 2017, I graduated from the first class of the Council's Leadership Academy for Excellence in Disability Services. 

As the VR Director, I am responsible for the planning, organizing, directing, and overall day-to-day administration of the program. I lead a diverse team of almost 350 staff statewide. These employees:

  • Help me run the program
  • Provide employment services to people with disabilities
  • Educate employers about hiring people with disabilities
  • Support students with the transition from high school to adulthood

What is one thing you’re working on right now that you are excited about?

In VR, we are always building and fostering partnerships with schools, community providers, employers, and other state agencies.

One partnership is with the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. We work with them to provide Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services to people with serious mental illness. IPS is an evidence-based practice for helping people with serious mental illness find good-paying jobs in their communities alongside others without disabilities. I am excited about the expansion of the IPS program across Tennessee. This expansion will allow VR to help more people to reach their employment goals. 
 
What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned from working on growing employment for Tennesseans with disabilities? 

The biggest lesson I have learned is where there is a will, there is a way. By this, I mean if someone has the desire to work, then they can work, and their job should be in a field they enjoy and located in their community.

We have so many resources and technological advances in today’s world to help our VR customers in achieving their career goals. We just need to think creatively and help people find their right path to employment.
 
What are some activities you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love spending time with my nephews, Daniel and Evan, and my niece, Lizzie. Also, I truly love the Smoky Mountains and visit often with my husband, Josh. We enjoy taking time to observe the beautiful scenery God has created.
 
When should members of the disability community reach out to you or your team directly?

Members of the disability community should reach out to my team any time they want to learn more about Vocational Rehabilitation Services in their area. Also, they can call phone number (833) 751-0597 to schedule an appointment to apply for services.

TennCare update: look for your "Tri-Star" letter

  • Background:
  • What to know if you or your family member gets TennCare:
    • TennCare is now sending out letters with the Tennessee Tri-star (3 part star) on it. This will not affect your coverage, but it is important that you let TennCare know if you don’t receive a letter by mid-December. This may mean that TennCare has the wrong address for you.
    • If you or your loved one gets SSI (Supplemental Security Income) your address is managed by the Social Security Administration, NOT TennCare. You don't need to look for a letter.
    • If you don’t get SSI and you do not receive a letter by mid-December call TennCare at 855-259-0701 or check online at tenncareconnect.tn.gov to make sure that your address and all other contact information is right.

Frequently asked questions:

When will I get my letter?
Some Tristar letters were already sent out. TennCare will keep mailing letters to more members throughout the next two months (November and December).
 
Do I need to do anything when I get my letter?
No. You just need to be on the lookout to make sure you get one.
 
What if I DON'T get a letter by mid-December?
Contact TennCare right away. Call 855-259-0701 or check your address on the TennCare Connect website. (If you receive SSI, you may not get a letter because your address is managed by Social Security, not TennCare.)
 
What can advocates do?
Let TennCare members know about the Tri-star campaign. Share TennCare's social media posts about this effort to spread the word.

New MAPs program for Tennesseans with disabilities now accepting applications

Enrollment for the new MAPs (Medicaid Alternative Pathways to Independence) program began on November 1.

The first phase of the program is focused on serving people who live in Middle TN.

MAPs is a program for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who want to be more independent at home, at work, and in their community. MAPs is a different approach to supports for independence and work skills. It uses technology as a foundation. The program is offered through the TN Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD).

If you do not live in a Middle TN county, you can still apply now. DIDD will keep your application and reach out to you once the program begins offering services in your region.

Learn more about the program by watching this short video or visiting DIDD's MAPs webpage.