Leadership Academy for Excellence in Disability Services
The fourth class of Tennessee's Leadership Academy for Excellence in Disability Services (LAEDS) graduated in the spring of 2023 (Read more from the Council's April 2023 e-news article here) and the 5th cohort began the fall of 2023 (read which agencies are represented in the '23-'24 class in this e-news article.)
The Council on Developmental Disabilities created and launched this program in partnership with Tennessee’s Department of Human Resources.
LAEDS is a leadership development program for state employees whose work has a direct impact on Tennesseans with disabilities and their families. The goal is to ensure that leaders who work in state government programs that serve Tennesseans with disabilities operate from a shared set of values, goals and principles. The academy builds relationships and collaboration among state agency partners.
LAEDS graduates have included employees from the following agencies and departments:
- Bureau of TennCare
- Commission on Aging and Disability
- Corrections
- Education
- Environment and Conservation
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Health
- Human Services/Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
- Safety and Homeland Security
- Transportation
- Veterans Services
For questions about LAEDS, contact Council Director of Leadership Development, Cathlyn Smith, at cathlyn.k.smith@tn.gov.