Leadership Academy for Excellence in Disability Services

The third class of Tennessee's Leadership Academy for Excellence in Disability Services (LAEDS) recently graduated. 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
  • 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
  • Veterans Services

For questions about LAEDS, contact Council Director of Leadership Development, Cathlyn Smith, at cathlyn.k.smith@tn.gov.