August 2024

From Our Chief Strategy Officer

Dear readers,

It’s back to school season for those of us with kids! In my house, everyone was ready to get back to some structure and routine.

This was a big transition year for us. My daughter started middle school last Monday. My son started high school two days later. Both kids showed signs this summer of anxiety about the change. They both expressed nervousness about their first day. But with a little support from mom and dad, they geared up and headed into their new schools like brave soldiers! Both came home tired but happy. They’ve been excited to go back each day.

I am thankful for their happy start. But the truth is also more complex. Lina’s start has had bumps in special ed services that we’re still working through. She’s lucky to have two involved parents who can follow up on every concern. Even with all the time we put in, the problems sometimes feel bigger than us. It probably feels that way to the educators, too.

My own family’s struggles with education mirror stories we hear at the Council from across the service system. So often, the system struggles to fully resource the individual supports each person with a disability needs to be successful.

It’s those exact experiences that our Council wants to capture in our community needs assessment survey. Have you filled it out yet? If not, I hope you will today. The survey will close at the end of this month.

Our Council works to address needs and gaps across state disability services. We work on disability issues that affect people of all ages, including the majority of people who aren’t getting any disability services. We take a bird’s eye view of how programs and organizations can work together to meet the needs of Tennessee’s disability community. Your input on this survey helps us know what those needs are. It’s how we decide our work priorities for five years.

Those of us who live with disability know the barriers we face are often too big to solve alone. To all the members of our disability community – self-advocates, families, and professionals – thank you for being a part of this work. You are why progress is possible!

Warmly,

Jolene Sharp

We Need to Hear from YOU!

Our statewide needs assessment is missing a crucial voice - yours. In just 15 minutes, you can help shape the future of disability services in Tennessee.

Your voice and perspective are critical as we plan our work for the next 5 years. If you are an adult with a disability or have a loved one with a disability, please take a few minutes to complete our survey and tell us about your experiences, challenges, and priorities.

Need it on paper, in Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, or another language? We've got you covered! Contact Emily Lanchak at emily.r.lanchak@vanderbilt.edu or (615) 343-9664 to request these options.

Take our quick survey by August 31st and make your voice heard!

Congratulations, Partners in Policymaking® Class of 2024-25!

We're thrilled to announce our 2024-25 Partners in Policymaking® class!

Partners is our Council's core leadership and advocacy training program for people with developmental disabilities and family members. From October-April, Partners scholars will learn skills and resources to answer the questions:

• What does a good life look like for me, my family, and other people with developmental disabilities?
  
• What is needed for that vision to come true?
  
• How can I help make change toward that vision?
  

Partners scholars learn practical skills to use and advocate for the values of self-determination, independence, and inclusion and in all areas of life. 

Join us in congratulating these scholars as they begin their Partners journey!

Council Member Spotlights

Chrissy Hood

Council member Chrissy Hood recently attended the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS) Family Conference on July 15. There, she presented on how families in other states can advocate for adult-size changing tables. 

Chrissy's presentation also encouraged families to engage with their state Developmental Disabilities Councils and continue their learning through Partners in Policymaking® programs across the country. (Chrissy is a TN Partners graduate!)

Chrissy is now working on a proposal to host the 2026 PMS Family Conference in Nashville. She wants to showcase the state's accessibility work, including at State Parks and Welcome Centers. She also hopes to highlight local resources, like Vanderbilt University's TRIAD autism research center.

Molly Anderson

Molly's continued dedication to advocacy shows the impact our Council members have both within and beyond their roles on the Council.

Courtney Johnson

Courtney's induction into the NACDD leadership circle is a testament to her tireless efforts and the impact she has made as a self-advocate. Her work benefits our state and serves as a model for other advocates across the nation.

Help Shape Disability & Aging Policy: Join a Planning Council

The Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) is still seeking members for important planning and policy councils. This is your chance to make a difference in disability and aging services across Tennessee!

The DDA is collecting interest for the following Planning and Policy Councils:

Questions? Contact Julia.Ballard@tn.gov.

Opportunity to Serve: TNSTEP Board Nominations Open

 The TNSTEP Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for its governing board. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the governance and oversight of Tennessee's Parent & Youth Training & Information Center.

What does the TNSTEP Board do?

• Provides strategic direction and governance
• Oversees organizational activities
• Ensures the sustainability and effectiveness of TNSTEP's services

The TNSTEP Board is composed of:

• Parents of children and youth with disabilities
• Individuals with disabilities
• Professionals in fields serving or educating students with disabilities

Board members are deeply committed to TNSTEP's mission and the vital services it provides to families, children, and youth with disabilities.

How to Nominate:

• Nominate yourself or someone else using the online nomination form.
• A Nominating Committee member will contact nominees to confirm interest and answer questions

Don't miss this chance to help empower families and improve the lives of children and youth with disabilities across Tennessee!

Questions? Contact TNSTEP Executive Director Karen Harrison: director@tnstep.info

Policy Corner: Council News to Know

I hope everyone who can vote took the time to do so in the August 1 elections. It was fun for me to take my baby daughter with me to vote for the first time – my own family taught me that it’s never too early to start learning about using your voice and your vote when you can!

There’s been plenty of news coverage about who won and who lost and who is facing challengers in November, but you can always visit the TN Secretary of State’s website here to see results, too.

Our next election day is Tuesday, November 5. If you need to register to vote before then, Oct. 7 is the deadline. Oct. 16-31 is the early voting period. The GoVoteTN app is a great place to learn more.

We hope you will take the time to reach out to those running for office in your community and share what concerns you have. Now is a perfect time to help them understand what issues are important to you and how public policy decisions at every level (local, state, and federal) impact people with disabilities.

Want to get involved to help register and inform other voters with disabilities? Connect to the TN Disability Coalition’s REV UP campaign, which is a part of the national movement organized by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD).

-Emma Garton, Policy Director

Upcoming Events

TN-NADD Annual Conference

Job Openings in the Disability Field

Tennessee Caregiver Coalition

Volunteer Coordinator

First Tennessee Development District

MyRIDE Transportation Coordinator

Council Meetings 2024

Council meetings are open to the public. If you would like to attend Council meetings, contact Assistant to the Executive Director Ashley (Edwards) Hill at ashley.edwards@tn.gov. You can also call our main office line at 615-532-6615.

• October 25, 2024 Council meeting
• January 31, 2025 Council meeting