The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is announcing additional steps to help parents navigate the balance of raising a family and holding down a job. Beginning October 1, 2021, TDHS will increase child care payment assistance rates by 10% across all categories of care in the Child Care Certificate Program

With the launch of the Tennessee Opportunity Pilot Initiative the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is taking a groundbreaking step to transform the way Tennessee serves its most vulnerable families. Over the next four years, this initiative will provide up to $5 million in Planning Grants and $175 million in Implementation Grants to further the Department’s vision of fundamentally changing the way government assistance is delivered to families in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is making additional assistance available to help families following the recent flooding disaster. Qualifying families who received damage to their homes or have been unable to work because of the August 21, 2021 storm are now able to apply for a one-time payment of Emergency Cash Assistance.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is making additional assistance available to support the health and well-being of individuals impacted by the recent flooding disaster. Qualifying families located in Humphreys, Hickman, Dickson, and Houston counties that experienced loss as a result of the August 21, 2021 storm are now able to apply for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits.

The State Capitol Cupola and other well-known landmarks across Tennessee will be lit green tonight in recognition of Child Support Awareness Month. Each August the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) works to light up recognizable locations in green as a shining reminder of the important role its Child Support Program plays in the health and well-being of Tennessee children.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has received approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make new disaster relief assistance available to Middle Tennesseans who suffered during last spring’s severe weather disaster. Starting Monday August 16, qualifying individuals and families can apply for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is announcing the establishment of the 21-member advisory board for Tennessee’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. This panel, known as the Families First Community Advisory Board, will hold its first meeting on August 16 at 9:00 AM in the Nashville Room of the Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L Parks Blvd. in Nashville. The meeting is also viewable online.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) wants Tennesseans to know additional benefits will be available for families who need help purchasing food this summer. The state’s fourth round of benefits made available as part of the Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program will provide hundreds of dollars in benefits to qualifying families so they can immediately begin purchasing food.

A public hearing to offer comments on Tennessee’s Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) application has been scheduled for August 10, 2021. The SSBG plan can be found on the DHS website.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) Office of Inspector General, the USDA Office of Inspector General, and the US Attorney’s Office in Memphis are sending a strong message that abuse of the state and federal food programs will not be tolerated.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is inviting the public to participate virtually in developing the upcoming Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) plan. The department creates its CSBG plan every two years in conjunction with the Tennessee Association of Community Action (TACA) and its member agencies.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) by highlighting the impact the state’s Coordinated Community Response (CCR) has had over the last five years.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) and partnering agencies are recognizing the important impact the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) has been able to make in communities over the last year.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) Child Care Services Program will conduct two (2) public hearings (via WebEx) to collect public comments on the proposed Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) plan to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families for funding the Federal Fiscal Years 2022-2024.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is expanding its support to Shelby County families by opening a second office in Memphis. That location at 4885 Stage Road will provide customers with a new location to drop off documents, access self-help kiosks, and attend scheduled appointments when necessary beginning on April 30, 2021.