December 2025

Dear readers,

My note today will focus on one big thing: public comment is open now on our draft five-year state plan. We need your input!

You may remember that over the past 18 months, we partnered with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, the University of Tennessee Center on Developmental Disabilities, and Disability Rights Tennessee (our state’s Developmental Disabilities Network) to conduct what is called a “comprehensive review and analysis.”

We did this to inform the Council’s next 5-year state plan.

We gathered input from nearly 1,500 people across the state – including many of you! We also analyzed relevant federal and state data to ensure we have a full picture of current needs and opportunities.

Through this process, we identified two priority areas for our work: grassroots advocacy and systems change.

At our November 2025 Council meeting, members and staff drafted goals, objectives, and activities for the next five years. Now, we are asking the public to give us feedback on this drafted plan. We are accepting public comment until February 15, 2026.

Review the new plan and submit your comments here.

Thank you for your input and all you do to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities in our state. Happy holidays, friends! We at the Council wish you peace and joy this season and all through the new year.

With warm wishes,

Jolene Sharp

Public Comment Period Open

Holiday Team Time

Call for Artists

We’re highlighting the creative work of disabled artists across Tennessee again in our annual arts issue of Breaking Ground next year. Check out this year's issue here.

Who can submit:

• Tennessee residents with disabilities
• Those with loved ones with disabilities may help with submitting art, but must not be responsible for the creation of the art.
• Work must be created by a human artist. Works that are entirely or majorly generated by AI are not eligible.

What to submit:

• Writing (poetry, essays, short stories) - up to 800 words
• Visual art - up to 3 pieces (any medium)
• Photography; crafts/other media
• Performance - photos or link to short video (theatre, music, dance)

Submit your art by Jan. 15 

Need an accommodation or another way to submit? Contact jolene.sharp@tn.gov.

Emma’s Policy Corner

State Legislative Session Begins Jan. 13 

Dear readers,

Before we know it, the second year of the 114th General Assembly (the name for the Tennessee legislature) will convene on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Here are a few things to know about this year of the legislative session:

• It’s likely to be a tight fiscal environment and budget year. This is partly due to some state agencies facing federal funding changes and partly due to recent cuts to state corporate and franchise taxes.
• 2026 is the 2nd year of the two-year legislative session. This means some bills that didn’t pass last year or officially die in committees may resurface.
  • One such bill on our radar relates to expanding eligibility for STEP Up scholarships for students with developmental disabilities attending TN’s inclusive higher education programs on college campuses.
• 2026 is an election year for state senators in odd-numbered districts and all state representatives. (There are also elections for Tennessee Governor, and Tennessee U.S. Senate and House seats.) This means that legislators will likely be moving fast and anxious to wrap up business as early in April as possible so they can begin campaigning in their communities. We’ve heard that individual state representatives can only introduce 10 bills this session.
• This is the last year of Governor Lee’s administration. Reportedly, one of his major priorities will be expanding the Education Freedom Scholarships program launched in 2025.

Remember: if there are state legislative or funding issues that are important to you, Disability Day on the Hill (Feb. 24-25, Nashville) is the perfect opportunity to tell lawmakers all about those topics!

Our friends at the TN Disability Coalition lead this advocacy opportunity each year. We’re always privileged to participate alongside hundreds of members of TN’s disability community. Mark your calendars and join us!

If you have questions about state legislative issues, contact us anytime at tnddc@tn.gov.

Best wishes for a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.

- Emma Garton, Director of Public Policy

New Resources for Families

Two Free Autism Toolkits 

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) has released two new, free toolkits to help families prepare for key early childhood transitions. These resources were developed by VKC’s TRIAD program and the Vanderbilt Consortium LEND Training Program.

Telehealth for Caregivers

Autism evaluations are not one-size-fits-all. This toolkit helps caregivers:

• Understand different types of autism evaluations
• Compare tele-assessments and in-person evaluations
• Prepare for a tele-assessment appointment
• Know what to expect after the evaluation

Click here to access the free PDF for the Telehealth for Caregivers toolkit.

Teaching School Readiness Skills to Preschool-Aged Children

Starting school is a big step. This toolkit helps caregivers and early childhood professionals:

• Build early learning and classroom participation skills
• Support engagement in peers, teachers, and materials
• Prepare children for classroom routines and expectations
• Use strategies that reflect neurodiversity

Click here to access the free PDF for the Teaching School Readiness Skills to Preschool-Aged Children toolkit.

Self-paced online courses are available. To access these courses, create a free account at triad.vkclearning.org.

For more information or to request printed booklets for your organization, contact mary.dangerfield@vumc.org

Changes to EBT Coming to Tennessee

Manage Your Snap and Families First Benefits with ebtEDGE

Tennessee SNAP and Families First (TANF) customers can now use ebtEDGE to manage benefits more easily and securely.

With the ebtEDGE mobile app and online portal you can:

• Choose or change your PIN
• Freeze your card if it’s lost or stolen
• Block certain transactions
• Request a replacement card
• Check balances and protect your benefits

These tools work on your phone, tablet, or computer. They are designed to give you more control and peace of mind.

Learn more about ebtEDGE and how to get started here.

Changes Expected to What You Can Buy with SNAP in Tennessee

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Tennessee’s request to test new limits on what can be purchased with SNAP. The changes begin July 31, 2026, and will last two years.

Foods that will not be allowed under SNAP 

SNAP benefits will not be able to be used to buy certain processed foods if:

• The food lists sugar, cane sugar, corn syrup, or high-fructose corn syrup as the first ingredient

Important exceptions:

These items will still be allowed:

• Granulated sugar
• Raw sugar
• Other single-ingredient sugars used for cooking or baking

Beverages that will not be allowed under SNAP

SNAP benefits will not be able to be used to buy certain beverages if:

• The first two ingredients listed are carbonated water and sugar, cane sugar, corn syrup, or high-fructose corn syrup

Beverages that will remain eligible:

• Drinks that list aspartame or other low- or no-calorie sweeteners as the first two ingredients can still be purchased with SNAP.

What the Council is doing:

Many people with disabilities and their families rely on SNAP to meet daily needs. We will continue to share updates in clear, plain language as more information becomes available.

Council Member Spotlight

Keona Gwinn at TEDx Youth

We’re proud to highlight Keona Gwinn, a current Council member and Partners scholar who recently spoke at TEDx Youth @ Jefferson Street.

In her four-minute presentation, Keona shares her personal experience navigating healthcare with spina bifda. She talks about what made her care different – having all her doctors in one place at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, communicating with each other, so she never had to carry her medical burdens alone.

"I believe every child should be provided with that opportunity" to feel known, seen, and valued in their healthcare, Keona says.

Watch Keona's TEDx talk here.

Congratulations, Keona! 🌟