Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder

Patricia Edmiston Leadership in Advocacy Award

This award was established by the Tennessee Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder, in honor of the woman who was instrumental in the creation and early leadership of the council. 

Meeting & Committee Call Dates

The TN Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder will meet on the last Tuesday of the months below from 10am - 1pm Central Standard Time;

Healthcare Committee (9am-10am CST)


Early Intervention & Education Committee (10:30am-11am CST)


Aging & Adulthood Committee (9am-10am CST)


Advocacy & Communication Committee (10:30am-11am CST)


PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Committee members will receive Webex Webinar invitations for the scheduled calls. Anyone interested in joining the committee meeting should email jenna.s.martin@tn.gov.

Governor appointments for individuals on the autism spectrum or their family members: 

Term: July 2025- June 2028

  • Cynthia Johnson, Council Co-Chair
  • Angela Crocker (family member)
  • Carlene Leaper (family member)

Term: July 2026- June 2029

  • Lana Woodward (family member)
  • Mercedes Lawson (family member)
  • Kevin Krieb (family member)
Term: August 2024- June 2027
  • Robert Stoffle, Council Chair
  • Lia Nichol (family member)
  • Jennifer Holder (family member)

Dept. of Disability & Aging:
Babs Tierno, Deputy Director of TN Strong Families & Homes
Babs.Tierno@tn.gov

Dept. of Health:
Jacqueline Johnson, MPA, Section Chief, Division of Family Health and Wellness/Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
jacqueline.johnson@tn.gov

Dept. of Education:
Alison Gauld, Low Incidence and Autism Coordinator, Division of Special Population and Student Support 
alison.gauld@tn.gov

Dept. of Human Services:
Tracy Verdun, Advisory Services Supervisor  
Tracy.Verdun@tn.gov

Dept. of Commerce and Insurance:
Brent Culberson, Chief of Staff
brent.r.culberson@tn.gov

Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse:
Elizabeth Setty Reeve. Esq., Director of Juvenile Justice Programming 
elizabeth.reeve@tn.gov

Division of TennCare:
Dr. Cooper Lloyd 
Cooper.Lloyd@tn.gov

TN Council on Developmental Disabilities:
Dirk Strider, Council Communications Coordinator
Dirk.Strider@tn.gov

TN Commission on Children and Youth:
Cory Bradfield, Ombudsman for Children & Families
Cory.Bradfield@tn.gov

State of Tennessee Department, Council, and/or Commission participant designees:

TN Department of Children's Services
Kim Campbell, Executive Director, Statewide Services
Kim.Campbell@tn.gov

TN Early Intervention System
Catherine Pippin, Strategic Results Specialist
Catherine.Pippin2@tn.gov

DDA Staff Liaison to the Council:
Jenna Martin, Director of Developmental Disability Services
Office of General Council
615-626-1579
jenna.s.martin@tn.gov

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder
https://tnpathfinder.org
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder (“Pathfinder”) provides free information, resources, support, and referrals to Tennesseans with disabilities and their families.