The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) and Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) are recognizing June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) by bringing awareness to the signs of abuse, methods to report abuse, and resources for caretakers.

NASHVILLE – As part of the Tennessee Opportunity Pilot Initiative, seven public-private groups have been selected by the Families First Community Advisory Board to implement innovative strategies for moving Tennessee families with economic, social, and developmental vulnerabilities beyond their current circumstances and on to self-sufficiency. Each group will receive $25 million in federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds for their three-year pilots. The implementation grants for these pilot initiatives further the Tennessee Department of Human Services’ (TDHS) vision of fundamentally changing the way government assistance is delivered to families in need.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) in partnership with the Families First Community Advisory Board, will host a 2-day series of pilot program presentations from 17 public-private partnerships, vying for $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 presentations mark a significant milestone in the state’s plans to effectively put federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to use on a local level.

TN Department of Human Services (DHS) is requesting three waivers from USDA FNS in its operation of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

Beginning March 4, 2022, eligible children that did not receive assistance through Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program for the 2020-2021 school year will receive a retroactive benefit payment. This single retroactive payment will be sent to children who experienced a change in P-EBT eligibility status during the 2020-2021 school year, or that were not accounted for initially.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is providing another resource to help communities with the launch of this year’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The goal of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is to ensure children 18 and younger, who benefit from meal programs at school, continue to have that same access to nutritious meals when school is out for the summer.

The Families First Community Advisory Board selected 17 collaborative groups to receive a portion of the nearly $5 million the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) will make available during the first phase of the Tennessee Opportunity Pilot Initiative. Up to $445,000 will be available to each organization, made up of public-private partnerships dedicated to developing innovative, community-driven strategies for moving Tennesseans with economic, social, and developmental vulnerabilities beyond their current barriers and on to self-sufficiency.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is providing extra support to thousands of families who receive monthly cash assistance through the state’s Families First program. Households qualifying as a “child-only” case in October will receive a one-time payment of $950 on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards December 1, 2021.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), the state’s Office of Customer Focused Government, and IT group (Strategic Technology Solutions) are teaming up to add new helpful services for users of Tennessee’s MyTN mobile application. Customers can now file and check the status of an appeal for the denial of TDHS programs on their smartphone through MyTN.

Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) Commissioner Clarence H. Carter is joining a nationally recognized group of leaders dedicated to providing guidance on the most important governance issues of the nation. As a member of the National Academy of Public Administration, Carter will join more than 940 Fellows on the Academy including former cabinet officers, members of Congress, governors, mayors, state legislators, prominent scholars, business executives, nonprofit leaders, and public administrators.

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.