Assessment & Stabilization Team Contact & Referrals
Referral Information
We are currently accepting referrals for TN START AST Phase 2.
Click Here for the TN START AST Online Referral Form via Formstack.
Once you complete all sections of the Referral Form and click submit, the referral will be emailed directly to TN START AST for review. A member of TN START AST will contact you to confirm receipt of the Referral Form and inform you of next steps.
Guidance for when to make a referral:
A referral should be made if the individual:
- Is currently in crisis and meets the criteria for START enrollment.
- Is currently at or has been to a psychiatric hospital within the past 24 months.
- Has been referred for additional staffing due to challenging behavior or has been receiving enhanced (one-to-one or more) staffing for an extended period;
- Has a history of multiple community placements over the past 12 months due to challenging behavior;
- Has complex mental health needs that have required crisis intervention, calls to 911, or frequent medication changes within the last 12 months.
- Has an unclear diagnosis and treatment formulation;
- Is at risk of losing their work or home placement due to challenging behavior or unmet mental health needs
- Is presenting with complex behavioral, medical, and/or trauma-related issues.
Anyone can make a referral to TN START AST. This includes hospitals, IDD-MH service recipients, families, mental health providers, IDD providers, mobile crisis teams, law enforcement, schools, service coordinators/care managers, etc. Please ensure that the person and their support team are made aware that a referral is being made.
Contact Information
Statewide
Bruce Davis,
PhD, BCBA-D, Sr. LPE, LPC,
Deputy Commissioner of Clinical Services
TN START AST Program Director
(615) 532-1610
Bruce.Davis@tn.gov
Victor Schueler,
M.D.
Director of Psychiatric Services
TN START AST Medical Director
Victor.Schueler@tn.gov
Carrie Dhanarajan,
MA, LBA, BCBA
TN START Director
629-203-3160
Carrie.Dhanarajan@tn.gov
Ashton Hooper,
Ed.S., BCBA
TN START Clinical Director
629-239-1282
Ashton.Hooper@tn.gov
Taylor McLeod,
LMSW, MPA
Assessment & Stabilization Manager
Nashville Region
615-477-0566
Taylor.C.McLeod@tn.gov
Tommy “Trent” Miller,
BS
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Nashville Region
615-202-5647
Tommy.Miller@tn.gov
David Weyand,
BS
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Nashville Region
615-906-7082
David.Weyand@tn.gov
Diane Otto,
BA
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Nashville Region
615-330-0163
Diane.Otto@tn.gov
Yolanda Rodgers, BS
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Nashville Region
615-706-0510
Yolanda.S.Rodgers@tn.gov
Kimmarie Quintana,
MA, Certified START Coordinator
Assessment & Stabilization Manager
Memphis Region
901-305-2756
Kimmarie.Quintana@tn.gov
Kemmie Douglas,
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Memphis Region
901-417-1599
kemmie.d.douglas@tn.gov
Marlene Burcham, BSW
Assessment & Stabilization Manager
Jackson Region
731-441-3390
Marlene.Burcharm@tn.gov
Deanna Parker,
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Jackson Region
731-618-9019
Deanna.Parker@tn.gov
Letisha Tolbert, BSW
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Jackson Region
731-363-7208
Letisha.Tolbert@tn.gov
Kaisey Taylor, MA
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Jackson Region
731-697-0809
Kaisey.Taylor@tn.gov
Toi Farmer, MOL
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Jackson Region
731-882-2071
Toi.Farmer@tn.gov
Brittney Eison, BA
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Jackson Region
731-592-2397
Brittney.Eison@tn.gov
Johnathan Payne,
MS
Assessment & Stabilization Manager
Chattanooga Region
423-262-7258
Johnathan.Payne@tn.gov
Tasha Ford, MS
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Chattanooga Region
423-895-5961
Tasha.Ford2@tn.gov
Spring Watters, MA
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Chattanooga Region
423-203-0798
Crystal.Watters@tn.gov
Monique Brimmer, BA
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Chattanooga Region
423-509-7546
Monique.Brimmer@tn.gov
Sarah Woodcock, M.S.
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Chattanooga Region
423-895-8443
Sarah.Woodcock@tn.gov
Anne Lownes, MS
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Chattanooga Region
423-223-7875
Anne.Lownes@tn.gov
Kayla Aloisi,
MS, LMSW
Assessment & Stabilization Manager
Knoxville Region
865-895-0070
Kayla.Aloisi@tn.gov
Jennifer Johnson, MSSW
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Knoxville Region
865-603-6901
Jennifer.R.Johnson@tn.gov
Esi Norwood,
BS
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Knoxville Region
865-839-5004
Esi.Norwood@tn.gov
Melissa Young,
MS
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Knoxville Region
865-895-0892
Melissa.J.Young@tn.gov
Kate Vogt,
BS
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Knoxville Region
865-850-5849
Kate.Vogt@tn.gov
Alison Gafford, BS
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Knoxville Region
865-315-2640
Alison.Gafford@tn.gov
Heather Lambert, MA
Assessment & Stabilization Facilitator
Knoxville Region
865-255-4879
Heather.Lambert@tn.gov
