Advisory Board
Families First Community Advisory Board
Created by the 2021 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Opportunity Act (TOA), the Families First Community Advisory Board brings together a combination of representatives from state agencies, local government, private and nonprofit organizations, business and industry, faith-based organizations, regional Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) partners, and current or former Families first/TANF customers. Board members are appointed by Speakers of both the House and Senate, and State leadership. The Board is united in their mission to transform the way Tennessee delivers supportive services to families in need. As part of the TANF Opportunity Act, the Board will direct grants and other support to community organizations that demonstrate a shared vision for Transforming Tennessee's safety net. Grants will be approved for those community organizations that develop innovative program plans with a strong likelihood of success. A successful program will be built around two key goals: 1) increasing the individual capacity of families receiving services; and 2) decreasing the dependency of those families on state provided support.
Increasing Capacity to Decrease Dependency is the path to Transforming Tennessee's safety net.
Board Purpose
The Families First Community Advisory Board has multiple goals:
- Review and approve $175 million in planning and implementation grants through the Tennessee Opportunity Pilot Program. This program will fund seven pilot programs (two in each grand division and one offered by TDHS) to provide comprehensive support to families as they move from crisis to career pathways.
- Approve the Department’s retention of a research partner or partners to assist in the research and evaluation of the Tennessee Opportunity Pilot Program.
- Provide input and recommendations on existing Families First and Two-Generation program policies and grant programs.
- Submit a report to the Tennessee General Assembly.
Current Board Members*
- Tennessee Department of Human Services Commissioner Clarence H. Carter (Chair)
- Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Deniece Thomas
- Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter
- Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds
- Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Ralph Alvarado
- Britney Cleveland, current TDHS employee in Knox County (TDHS Appointee)
- Rachael Corry, current TDHS employee (TDHS Appointee)
- LaTerre Pleasant, Nashville Resident (TDHS Appointee)
- Wayne County Executive Jim Mangubat (TDHS Appointee)
- Tennessee Higher Education Commission Executive Director Emily House (TDHS Appointee)
- Bishop Edward Stephens, Golden Gate Cathedral and Golden Gate Development Corporation CEO (TDHS Appointee)
- Rep. David Hawk (Speaker of the House Appointee)
- Rep. Bryan Terry (Speaker of the House Appointee)
- Sen. Bo Watson
- Sen. Raumesh Akbari
- Jerry Askew, Alliance for Better Nonprofits - Knoxville (Co-Chair)
- Jack Bailey, Retired, Business Community
- Annie Cacheiro, Executive Director, Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties
- Elizabeth Fournet, Chairman of the board, One Bank Tennessee
- Frank Lawrence, Retired, Business Community
*Appointees from the Business Community and Non-profit Community will be added to the board.
Board Meetings
The Families First Community Advisory Board (FFCAB) meets quarterly and members of the public are permitted to attend board meetings in-person or view board meetings streaming online.
January 16, 2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Central
Details on meeting location and virtual option coming soon.
August 16, 2021 Meeting Materials
- Meeting Agenda
- FFCAB Briefing Book
- FFCAB Kickoff Presentation
- TANF Opportunity Act Implementation Timeline
- Meeting Minutes
- Recording
September 21, 2021 Meeting Materials
October 19, 2021 Meeting Materials
November 16, 2021 Meeting Materials
December 7, 2021 Meeting Materials
January 18, 2022 Meeting Materials
February 15, 2022 Meeting Materials
March 15, 2022 Meeting Materials
April 7-8, 2022 Implementation Grant Presentations
April 21, 2022 Meeting Materials
September 8, 2022 Meeting Materials
- Meeting Agenda
- Meeting Minutes
- Meeting Presentation (Technical Assistance Training Slides)
- Meeting Recording
April 20, 2023 Meeting Materials
July 20, 2023 Meeting Materials
October 19, 2023 Meeting Materials
February 22, 2024 Meeting Materials
May 9, 2024 Meeting Materials
August 1, 2024 Meeting Materials
- Meeting Agenda
- Meeting Presentation
- MEF/Urban Institute Presentation
- STRONG Families of Northeast TN Presentation
October 17, 2024 Meeting Materials
Learn More
Click Here to read the TANF Opportunity Act.
Click here to learn more about the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program.