February 2025

From Our Chief Strategy Officer

Dear readers,
 
As I look out my window, brilliant sunlight is reflecting off my neighbors’ snowy lawns. Wild turkey are strutting across the street. Chickadees, cardinals, titmice, and downy woodpeckers are flocking to my feeders. It’s all calling me out for a brisk winter walk.
 
I’ve been reading the book The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt. Haidt is a social psychologist who uses extensive research to understand increasing mental health issues in children. It’s an eye-opening read. It has me thinking hard about how I parent. But it also has me thinking hard about how I engage with the world around me. The issues Haidt talks about don’t just affect children. We are all increasingly distracted and disconnected.
 
Disability can sometimes feel isolating, too – something that separates those of us who experience it from those who don’t. The world we live in was not designed with disability in mind. In a time of general disconnection, building community can be even harder for those of us who face extra barriers to belonging.
 
But I am seeing reasons for hope. Some of those are reflected in stories you’ll read below:
A peer mentorship program that connects employed adults with IDD to job seeking adults with IDDA new podcast from one of our Council members who wants to break down stigma by sharing her experiences with disabilityEvents – like MegaConference – that offer learning and connection for our state’s disability communityAn overview of how our Council’s existing relationships allowed us to respond during recent natural disasters
I also think about our Council’s Partners in Policymaking® program, where I have seen members of this year’s class bond with each other as they learn together. They are growing into powerful advocates. They are also finding that they don’t have to advocate alone.  
 
We live in unsettled times. Today, I hope you’ll join me in choosing to reconnect with the people and the living world around us. It may feel small, but those choices can ripple out in big ways. Speaking of which: I think it’s time for that brisk winter walk!

Take care, everyone.

- Jolene Sharp

How Our Council's Emergency Response Work Made an Impact

When Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit East Tennessee last year, our Council members and staff jumped into action to make sure the needs of people with disabilities weren't forgotten in the emergency response.

One small change is making a big difference: thanks to advocacy by Council member Courtney Johnson, emergency shelters now have communication boards. These are simple visual aids that help people who have limited verbal abilities tell shelter staff what they need. Something as basic as being able to tell someone you're thirsty or need medicine can make a huge difference in a crisis.

Council staff member Ashley Edwards worked with state agencies to get these boards not just into active shelters, but permanently added to Tennessee's emergency resources. The middle of a disaster is the worst time to realize you can't communicate with shelter staff. Now these tools will be ready in every shelter, before they're needed.

Our team's other work during the hurricanes also included:

• Partnering with Disability Rights Tennessee and The Arc Tennessee to identify community needs
• Connecting with FEMA and White House officials about disability community concerns
• Helping create lists of open pharmacies so people could get needed medications
• Working across state lines with North Carolina to coordinate assistance
• Documenting gaps in emergency response to improve future disaster planning

Our existing relationships with emergency preparedness groups meant we could act quickly when disaster happened. More importantly, the changes we helped implement, like adding communication boards to shelters, will help make future emergency responses more accessible for Tennesseans with disabilities.

Did you face barriers during a recent natural disaster? We want to hear your story. Contact us at tnddc@tn.gov to share your experience.

Council Member Spotlight

Council Member Kezia Cox has recently shared with us her new podcast called "My Autistic Identity."

Through this platform, Kezia will share her personal experiences while working to challenge society's stereotypes about the disability community. The podcast explores Kezia's journey as she develops her voice as a professional advocate. Her goal is to change how society views and understands autism and disability.

 "My Autistic Identity" offers listeners authentic perspective and insight as Kezia works to break down stigma and create positive change.

You can find Kezia's advocacy journey by listening to "My Autistic Identity" on all major podcast platforms here.

Policy Corner: Council News to Know

Hi readers,

I don’t know about you, but the sheer volume of public policy news is overwhelming sometimes!

So - I am just giving you a quick snapshot below of the top 3 issues on our radar in 3 different areas. There are dozens of bills in the state legislature we are keeping our eyes on. We’re following federal policy developments that will impact Tennesseans with disabilities closely.

If you want more information or background on any of the below, feel free to reach out at tnddc@tn.gov or emma.shouse@tn.gov.

Top 3 Issues We’re Watching…

_{Federal policy}

1. Cuts being considered to Medicaid by the U.S. House budget resolution
   1. Note – Visit our social media pages for information about how Tennesseans with disabilities use Medicaid in TN.
2.  How students with disabilities may be impacted by changes at the U.S. Department of Education
3. How leadership turnover and staffing changes at the federal government level will impact various disability programs (especially Health and Human Services)

_{State bills moving forward}

1. Early Behavioral Intervention and Reporting Act, which creates a new computer system for schools to track “early warning signs of student health, safety and behavioral issues”
2. Expanding eligibility for the STEP Up scholarship for TN inclusive higher education programs
3. “Emma’s bill”, which would require TennCare to take factors like the person’s overall condition when deciding treatment coverage, even if such determination does not result in the least costly course of diagnosis or treatment

_{State budget highlights}

On Feb. 10, Gov. Lee delivered his State of the State address and released his recommended budget. It includes requests from state agencies for new and expanded services. The legislature will have to vote to approve the budget and may decide to make changes to it.

• Visit this link for the Governor’s FY25-26 budget highlights
• Watch the recorded speech here

1. $95.5 million expanding long term care services and supports for older adults and people living with disabilities, including funding for 2,800 new people to get Employment and Community First CHOICES services
2. $3 million for a partnership between Department of Children’s Services (DCS) and Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) to provide additional support services for children in DCS care with intellectual and developmental disabilities
3. $1 million to expand the school-based behavioral health liaison program, giving students across Tennessee schools important resources and mental health support

I hope that gives a quick snapshot of big recent developments. Thanks!

-Emma Garton, Public Policy Director

State News and Events

• 2025 Disability Day on the Hill events – TN Disability Coalition Registration - Register online or call 615-383-9442.
• The Education Freedom Scholarship Act and Private Schools in Tennessee (Sycamore Institute)
• New Study Finds School Districts Receive More Funding Under TISA (TN Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability)

National News

• Understanding the Intersection of Medicaid and Work: An Update (Kaiser Family Foundation)
• 5 Key Facts about Medicaid Coverage for People with Disabilities (Kaiser Family Foundation)
• April 7-9 Disability Policy Seminar, Washington D.C.

Upcoming Opportunities

Training Opportunity: Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Smyrna

Did you know that the Tennessee Department of Human Services offers vocational training and education for students with disabilities at the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center (TRC) in Smyrna? This training center provides career and technical education to help people with disabilities achieve greater independence and find competitive, integrated employment in their communities.

TRC-Smyrna offers:

• Comprehensive vocational evaluation
• Vocational skills training in multiple areas of study
• Enhancement courses to support individual educational goals
• Hands-on training opportunities
• Campus life activities

Students participate in both classroom instruction and practical training experiences. The program is designed to give students the skills they need to succeed in their chosen career paths.

Want to learn more? Check out a recent interview with Beth Dunahee, Superintendent of TRC-Smyrna, where she discusses the program in detail. You can watch the interview with Beth here on YouTube.

West TN Seating & Positioning Clinic Open House

The West TN Seating & Positioning Clinic is hosting an open house on Monday, February 24 and Tuesday, February 25 at their Regional Offices in Arlington.

The clinic serves Tennesseans of all ages and abilities who need seating and positioning support. Their team includes occupational therapists, physical therapists, and equipment vendors who work together to create custom seating solutions.

At the open house, you can tour the clinic facilities, meet the clinical team and medical equipment fabricators, see examples of custom equipment, and learn about available services. Refreshments will be provided.

The clinic welcomes everyone to attend, including people with disabilities and families, DDA staff and service providers, healthcare professionals, students, educators, and other community members interested in meeting the Seating & Positioning team.

Please register in advance to help the clinic plan for attendance. You can register here for the West Tennessee Seating & Positioning Clinic Open House.

Last Call: DDH Virtual Advocates Workshop Series

Don't miss the final sessions of the virtual workshop series hosted by Family Voices of Tennessee and The Tennessee Disability Coalition to help community members, advocates, and families prepare for Disability Day on the Hill (DDH) 2025.

Remaining workshops:

• February 27, 1:00-2:00 p.m. CT: TN Disability Coalition DDH Legislative Webinar - Learn about TDC's legislative priorities
• March 6, 5:00-6:00 p.m. CT: How to Tell Your Story - Learn to effectively share your experiences to support TDC priorities

All workshops include ASL interpretation and Otter captions, and recordings will be available afterward.

Need accommodations or have questions?

Contact: Carrie (carrie_c@tndisability.org) or

Leah (leah_w@tndisability.org)

Watch for Zoom links and meeting materials on Tennessee Disability Coalition, Family Voices of Tennessee, and Tennessee Disability Advocates social media pages.

Help Shape Resources for Transition to Adulthood

The Transitions Lab at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is looking for Tennessee participants for online focus groups about transitioning from school to adulthood. The research team wants feedback on a program that will provide teachers with resources to help students with autism and their families access adult disability services.

Who Can Participate:

• High school special education teachers (3+ years experience)
• Adult disability service providers (3+ years experience)
• Autistic teens/young adults in high school or within 5 years after
• Parents of autistic teens/young adults in high school or within 5 years after

What's Involved:

• Two online focus group sessions/interviews
• Participants can receive up to $100

Want to participate? Fill out the eligibility form at https://redcap.link/TASK or contact the study team:

• Email: transitions@vumc.org
• Phone: 615-322-2943

2025 MegaConference Registration Now Open

The Arc Tennessee has announced that guest registration is open for the 2025 MegaConference, happening May 22-23 at Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza.

This year's theme is "Past Reflections, Future Directions." The conference will feature an lineup of keynote speakers across both days. Thursday brings presentations from Dr. Bruce Keisling and the LifeCourse team, while Friday features the Department of Disability and Aging and a special performance by Friends Life Community.

Breakout sessions will cover the LifeCourse Domains, including employment, community living, health, advocacy, and more.

AAC Workshop: Building Communication Success in the Classroom

Want to learn more about augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and how to use them effectively? Join Vanderbilt University's annual AAC Workshop on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT.

This is a valuable opportunity to better support students who use AAC devices.

The interactive workshop will help families, educators, and speech-language pathologists create better communication environments for students who have complex communication needs. The workshop combines immersive learning experiences with ongoing professional development support to help participants make a real impact.

Participants will:

• Learn about different types of AAC devices
• Get hands-on practice programming devices
• Discover strategies for enhancing communication and literacy skills
• Take home practical tools and resources

Location: Room 233, Vanderbilt Commons, Vanderbilt University

Registration closes February 24.

To register for the AAC workshop and learn more, click here.