September 2025
From Our Chief Strategy Officer
Dear readers,
At the risk of sounding like a state parks booster – I have a new park to recommend! Our family celebrated my daughter Lina’s 14th birthday last weekend at Chickasaw State Park in West Tennessee. The cabins were rustic – not the modern, completely renovated cabins you might find at Montgomery Bell or Reelfoot Lake – but clean and cozy, with beautiful views of Lake Placid, with its iconic footbridge.
Our cabin was updated to be fully accessible, with level entrances, a roll-in shower, lowered kitchen work areas, and an accessible picnic table on the deck. Lina had a fabulous time helping me make her chocolate-frosted chocolate cake with LOTS of sprinkles. We even got in a swim at the tidy little beach area a short walk from our cabin. It was a great way to celebrate our girl.
Speaking of getting outdoors: At the Council, we learned this month about Nature Together, a community-based nonprofit expanding access to outdoor experiences, environmental education, and wellness programming across rural Tennessee.
- Their “Clovers” guided hikes and programs are designed to be inclusive for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
- They also offer programs for survivors of domestic abuse or sexual violence, homeschool families, seniors, and anyone who just wants to experience more nature!
- All programs are completely free.
And one big thing from the Council’s work: We kicked off orientation for the 2026-27 class of Partners in Policymaking® this month! Our newest scholars got an overview of what’s ahead for them during the next seven months and started getting to know a little about each other. Connections are already forming, and we can’t wait to get to know this new class of change makers.
Be well,
- Jolene Sharp, Chief Strategy Officer
Upcoming Opportunities
Learn More about Home and Community-Based Services
Home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers help people with disabilities and older adults get support in their own homes and communities instead of institutions or nursing homes.
The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) is creating plain-language resources explaining how these programs work as part of its Home Sweet Home campaign. The campaign’s message is “Your Community. Your Choice.” It centers on the idea that people with disabilities should be able to play, work, live, worship, and contribute to the communities they choose.
The site so far includes a Community Conversations Toolkit available in standard and large print that offers guidance for talking with neighbors, faith communities, lawmakers, healthcare providers, and others about what an “inclusive community” really means. NACDD is continuing to add resources.
Explore the Home Sweet Home resources on the NACDD website.
Policy Corner: Council News to Know
Hi Readers,
Last summer, we were trying to figure out how the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” or “H.R. 1” might impact Medicaid in Tennessee, which is called “TennCare.” More specifically - what would this new law mean for Tennesseans with disabilities?
Today, we still hear from members of TN’s disability community worried about this. They want to know: will my healthcare and disability services be impacted by “Medicaid cuts” in the law?
It has been hard to find accurate and easy to understand information about this topic. So - we talked to TennCare about upcoming changes.
Will new “community engagement” requirements (also called “work requirements”) impact Tennesseans?
Work requirements will apply to a small number of people in Tennessee, but those people won't see a change, because they already meet the requirements. They don’t need to do anything new. For more information, see TennCare's notices and FAQ page.
What is "retroactive coverage," and what changed about it under the new law?
"Retroactive coverage" means TennCare pays for some medical bills you had before you were approved for TennCare.
For applications received on or after 1/1/2027, children and pregnant women can get coverage for bills from up to 2 months before they apply, instead of 3 months. That is a change from 90 days of retroactive coverage down to 60 days.
This change also applies to TennCare renewals. If your TennCare ends because you didn't send in your renewal information, you still have 90 days after your end date to respond. But if you respond and get your TennCare back, the new law means only 60 of those days will be covered.
We understand some immigrants who are in the U.S. legally may no longer qualify for TennCare based on this new law. What changed?
Starting October 1, 2026, you will only qualify for TennCare programs if you have one of these citizenship or immigration statuses:
- U.S. citizens
- U.S. nationals
- Cuban and Haitian entrants
- Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants
- Some lawful permanent residents (LPRs) - you may know this as having a green card
People in the groups listed below no longer qualify for TennCare:
- Refugees
- People granted asylum
- Humanitarian parolees
- Certain survivors of trafficking and domestic violence
Beyond these changes: will any Tennesseans lose healthcare coverage or their long-term services and supports because of the new law?
No. The only people affected are those whose immigration status changed their eligibility under the new law.
Federal laws can impact each state very differently, so the answers above only apply here in Tennessee. We’re passionate about explaining complex policy topics in clear language that makes sense to you. If you have other questions about this, let us know.
- Emma Garton, Director of Public Policy
Partners in Policymaking® Is Back in Session!
Our newest Partners in Policymaking® class kicked off earlier this month with a virtual orientation, the first of 8 monthly meetings planned. Scholars met each other, got to know the program, and previewed the year ahead. Sessions will continue until April.
We’re excited to start this journey with our new class – watch for future issues of the e-news for updates on what our scholars are learning and working on!
Training & Community Events
Free Training on Section 504 Plans from Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is offering a free training about Section 504 plans in school settings. The training is for students and their families.
A Section 504 plan is a plan that a school makes so a student with a disability can get the support they need at school.
You can join if you are:
- A student who currently has a Section 504 plan from school, or
- A family member of a child who has a Section 504 plan from school.
Learn more and sign up for the Section 504 training.
Webinars About ABLE Accounts from ABLEnow
ABLEnow is offering a series of online webinars about ABLE accounts. An ABLE account is a savings account for people with disabilities that lets you save money without losing benefits like SSI or Medicaid.
Two live webinars are coming up:
- Register for Introduction to ABLEnow - Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Central (11:00 a.m. Eastern).
- Register for Managing an ABLEnow Account - Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Central (2:00 p.m. Eastern).
If you can’t attend live, ABLEnow also has short, recorded webinars you can watch any time. Topics include putting money into an account, taking money out, and managing your account.
Watch the recorded ABLEnow webinars any time.
Free Summer Camp for Kids with Limb Loss or Limb Differences
Do you know a child ages 8-12 living with limb loss or limb difference? USA Patriots hosts a free week-long Kids Camp each summer. Next year’s camp will be held July 19-25, 2027 in Oklahoma City.
Campers take part in adaptive sports, outdoor adventures, and games, with military veteran amputees serving as coaches and mentors.
There is no cost to attend. Travel, housing, meals, apparel, and equipment are all covered for 20 campers and one parent or guardian each year, so cost is never a barrier to families. Spots have gone unfilled in the last couple of years, so organizers are hoping to spread the word more widely.
Learn more about USA Patriots Kids Camp and sign up for the 2027 session.
New Survey Out Now!
We want to know if the Council is doing a good job. Our goal is to share disability information that is easy to understand and useful to you – and the best way to find out how we’re doing is to ask.
Starting this month, we will be including a survey link every month that asks you what you think of the e-news, instead of a yearly survey we promote once. You still only need to take this new survey once per year.
If you fill it out this month, thank you! You’re all set, and you can skip it the next time you see it.