CARETag Program
The Crisis Assistance, Response, Emergency Tag (CARETag) program is designed to encourage and assist families in working with community partners to collect personal medical information and place them in a secure location where first responders can easily access needed information during emergency situations.
For Families
Families are encouraged to work with their local CARETag coordinator (contacts provided below) to gather important personal medical information for vulnerable adults and store it in a secure, easily accessible location for first responders to use during emergencies. They should also obtain the required necessary CARETag items from their coordinator, optionally share their home address with to local dispatch using the provided script, and then place all the CARETag items in their designated locations within the home. These steps support faster emergency response, provide peace of mind, uphold the dignity of vulnerable adults, and strengthen stronger community safety.
For Community Organizations
Local community organizations can serve as CARETag Coordinator. These CARETag Coordinators work directly with families to gather key information needed during emergencies, provide the appropriate CARETag materials, and report participation data back to the Tennessee Department of Health. They also help promote the program by sharing information with community partners. TDH has developed a CARETag Coordinator Guidance document that outlines expectations and supports Coordinators in serving families within their local communities.
Click for the CARETag Fact Sheet for Organizations
Click for the CARETag Coordinator Guidance Document
Click here if your organization is interested in serving as a CARETag Coordinator. Once you complete the survey, someone will reach out to you within 3-4 business days.
For First Responders
For first responders, the Tennessee CARETag program offers a dependable way to quickly access critical medical information during emergencies. With support community organizations, families store essential medical details in a fire- and waterproof bag kept in the home’s freezer. When arriving on scene , first responders should look for a CARETag sticker inside of the front door and a magnet on the freezer to locate the information. Some participants may also provide their home address to for quicker identification. This system strengthens emergency preparedness, improves coordination of care, and supports better outcomes.
Click Here to View the CARETag Fact Sheet for First Responders
CARETag Coordinator Contacts
Hardeman County
Hardeman County Health Department
Sara Skinner (Sara.Skinner@tn.gov)