The Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant provides flexible, core funding for prevention and health promotion activities in Tennessee. The grant covers several primary areas including: cancer prevention, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, community-based prevention services, healthy weight, injury prevention, dental and oral health services, and poison control.
Statewide Drug Teams provide specialized case management to families with drug-exposed newborns (0-12 months). Cases arise through investigations involving drug exposure. Teams consist of licensed clinicians and peer advocates who provide families with tailored support in finding treatment and recovery options and support networks.
The primary objective of THL is to coordinate health care services for TennCare members with the highest behavioral health needs. Through better coordinated behavioral and physical health services, THL is meant to produce improved member outcomes, greater provider accountability and flexibility when it comes to the delivery of appropriate care for each individual, and improved […]
PCMH is a comprehensive care delivery model designed to improve the quality of primary care services for TennCare members, the capabilities of and practice standards of primary care providers, and the overall value of health care delivered to the TennCare population. Tennessee has built on existing PCMH efforts by providers and payers in the state […]
This program covers a supply of 100 disposable diapers per month for TennCare and CoverKids-enrolled children under age two. Although TennCare has historically covered diapers and other incontinence products for individuals with illnesses or conditions that impact their ability to control their bladder or bowels, TennCare has not covered these products for children younger than […]
The Healthy Built Environment Grants program funds the construction or planning projects that promote the physical, mental, and social health of communities, drawing on evidence-based strategies related to access to physical activity opportunities and access to healthy foods. Projects include the establishment of walking tracks, playgrounds, sports facilities, greenways, and parks, all which are available […]
Provides support to children who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and are in state custody. Support can include direct care services, support for foster families, and home and community-based services for children with complex needs. Direct care includes short-term placement in community homes for children with high medical needs currently awaiting placement while receiving care […]
A healthcare reimbursement account (HRA) for children who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and are in state custody. An Independent Support Coordinator assists families with utilizing the benefit and understanding eligible expenses.
Health Starts aims to address members’ non-medical risk factors such as food insecurity, transportation, social supports and others. Through collaboration with the Managed Care Organizations and TennCare providers (including primary care, behavioral health, LTSS, BESMART, and others), program initiatives better screen, identify, and refer for non-medical risk factors. The program draws on evidence around the […]
TennCare is the state of Tennessee’s managed Medicaid program. The program is a partnership between the state and federal government. TennCare contracts with statewide managed care organizations to provide healthcare to mostly low-income pregnant women, parents or caretakers of a minor child, children, and individuals who are elderly or have a disability. To get Medicaid, […]
The Veterans Advocacy Program advocates for the rights, benefits, and well-being of veterans through a multifaceted approach. That includes disability and compensation claims advocacy and assistance, guidance and representation in the appeals process, and community engagement and partnerships to increase the awareness and accessibility of services. The program also provides regular training for local service […]
All babies born in Tennessee are required to be screened for metabolic conditions, hearing, and critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) by the birthing facility. All abnormal or unsatisfactory newborn screening test results are sent to the follow-up program staff for action. Providers are contacted and referrals are made to tertiary centers across the state for […]
Population Health is the state of Tennessee’s care coordination effort to support TennCare Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) populations. The program contracts with statewide managed care organizations to improve healthcare outcomes such as increasing child vaccinations, reducing preterm births, and enhancing behavioral health services for adults with substance use disorder. To advance those […]
Episodes of Care is a state-wide value-based payment program incentivizing high-quality, cost-effective care for specific acute or specialized services over a specific time period, which is called an “episode”. The program includes 48 episodes. The program assigns a single principal accountable provider who has the most impact on the overall cost and quality of a […]
The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit provides comprehensive and preventive health care services for children under age 21 who are enrolled in Medicaid. The program uses evidence-based approaches including primary care, preventive care visits, and vision screening. EPSDT is key to ensuring that children and adolescents receive appropriate preventive, dental, mental […]
The TennCare Katie Beckett Program is for children under age 18 with disabilities or complex medical needs who are not Medicaid eligible because of their parent’s income or assets. It helps to provide care for the child’s medical needs or disability that private insurance does not cover. Katie Beckett Part A (or “Part A” for […]
TDMHSAS-Homebuilders is an intensive family preservation services (IFPS) model designed to increase well-being, improve permanency, enhance safety, and increase family stability of children (ages 0-18) who are in or at imminent risk of out-of-home placement (OOHP) as a result of parent/caregiver substance misuse (PSM). The program utilizes the Homebuilders model, the nation’s oldest and best-documented […]
The Behavioral Highway Safety Grant Program within the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) provides grant funding to implement statewide programs addressing occupant protection, impaired driving, speed enforcement, pedestrian and bicycle safety, crash data collection and analysis, and other initiatives relating to the human behavioral aspects of highway safety. The goal is to change driver behavior […]
Project Rural Recovery provides mobile, integrated primary, mental health, and substance abuse services to rural Tennesseans of all ages regardless of ability to pay. This program uses several evidence-based strategies including, Behavioral Health Integration (BHI), Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Individual Placement and […]
The Regional Intervention Program (RIP) is a parent-implemented, professionally supported program for young children (2-6 years old) and their families experiencing challenging behaviors. This unique, internationally recognized program guides parents in learning the skills necessary to work with their own children, while they receive training and support from other RIP families.
Family Support and Advocacy program provides comprehensive family advocacy, outreach, support, and referral service for families of children with Serious Emotional Disturbances and professionals who work with these children. The program promotes the provision of services to youth with emotional disturbance and their families based on system of care principals, including evidence-based strategies such as […]
Youth Respite provides services to families of children identified as seriously emotionally disturbed (SED) or dually diagnosed as SED and Autism Spectrum Disorder who are two through fifteen (2-15) years of age. Respite consultants provide short-term respite, and work with the family to identify long-range respite resources. An Individualized Family Respite Plan (IFRP) is developed […]
Provides early childhood mental health training, coaching and consultation (using best practices) to centers and systems that serve young children across the state. In addition, capacity development and awareness building will be provided around the need for early childhood mental health and healthy social emotional development. The training site in Nashville serves the whole state, […]
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides administrative and operational payments to eligible agencies for serving meals to low-income children. The SFSP is a partnership between the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) and community-based organizations to provide free meals to children in their communities throughout the summer. Eligible […]
Smart Steps Child Care Payment Assistance is financial assistance available to income-eligible families who are working or enrolled in postsecondary education programs and have children from age six weeks through the start of kindergarten.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutritional assistance initiative administered at the state level. SNAP funding provides SNAP Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), Informational Activities to Low-Income Households (SNAP Outreach), Disaster SNAP, SNAP Employment and Training (individual section), and Online Purchasing programs.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program that provides reimbursement for eligible meals that are served to participants who meet age and income requirements.
The Child & Adult Care Licensing Pre-Licensure Unit provides technical assistance and support to customers who are seeking to become licensed child or adult care providers. Staff coordinate orientations, conduct site visits, provide coaching on the licensing process, and connect applicants with resources, such as small business academies and establishment grants.
The School Based Dental Prevention Program (SBDPP) is a statewide program targeting children in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth in Title I eligible schools. The program offers preventive services that include, but not limited to, oral health education, oral health screenings, referrals for care, immediate need follow-up, dental sealants, and fluoride applications to children in the […]
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides screening, counseling, and supplemental foods to low-income pregnant and postpartum breastfeeding women and supplemental foods to infants and children at risk due to inadequate nutrition. Through promotion and modification of food practices, this program seeks to minimize the risk of complications to mothers […]
Evidence-Based Home Visiting (EBHV) programs can be an effective early-intervention strategy to improve the health and well-being of children and parents. EBHV provides support and resources to improve family functioning and parenting skills, link families with appropriate social service agencies, promote early learning, and ultimately help new parents provide safe, nurturing environments with greater self-sufficiency. […]
The Perinatal Regionalization System is a statewide infrastructure that supports an appropriate, accessible high-risk perinatal and neonatal health care system that meets the needs of high-risk infants and child-bearing aged women in Tennessee. This system includes 24-hour telephone consultation with physicians and nurses, professional education within the region, transportation of high-risk pregnant women and infants […]
The Waterborne and Zoonotic Diseases Program is responsible for tracking and responding to illnesses from animals and water. It does this by collaborating closely with local health departments, heath care providers and laboratories to collect information on any illnesses and investigate outbreaks. It also conducts prevention activities through outreach for individuals who own private wells. […]
The Clinical Dental Services program provides oral health education, emergency and basic dental services to adults and children in health department settings. By providing these services, this program seeks to improve the oral health and ultimately the overall health of Tennesseans.
The Community Health Access and Navigation in Tennessee (CHANT) program is an integrated model of care coordination provided through local health departments. The program serves children and youth with special health care needs, pregnant and postpartum women, children under 21, and families. It provides enhanced patient-centered engagement, assistance with navigating complex systems, and care coordination of […]
The Tuberculosis Elimination Program provides surveillance, oversight of case management activities and contact investigations, training and education, procurement of anti-tuberculosis medications, and fiscal oversight to health departments throughout the state of Tennessee. Program staff work collaboratively with regional and local health department TB staff to ensure screening, testing, and treatment of individuals with suspected or […]
The Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program (VPDIP) works to reduce and eliminate the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases affecting children, adolescents, and adults by raising the immunization coverage rates of Tennessee citizens. VPDIP operates federally-funded vaccine programs, supports providers with voluntary immunization data, and prepares to support communities in the case of disease outbreak.
Children’s Special Services (CSS) is the State Title V Program for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). CSS provides access to comprehensive medical care for children with physical disabilities from birth to 21 years of age. One of the primary goals of the program is to increase the number of children who […]
Environmental Epidemiology Program (EEP) protects people who live, work, play, and study in Tennessee from harmful chemicals and pollutants. EEP conducts health risk assessments in all 95 counties to make sure harmful chemicals—including at spills, dumps, and waste sites—are properly cleaned up to protect people. EEP leads public education efforts through public meetings, fact sheets, […]
The Lead Poisoning Prevention Program promotes the prevention of lead poisoning in children and links lead-poisoned children from birth through 6 years of age to recommended services. The program assists medical care providers and other community members to reduce and prevent lead poisoning by providing case management, local outreach and education, and surveillance of lead […]
The Injury Prevention and Detection program implements evidence-based interventions to reduce accidental injuries and death within the state. Unintentional injury is the number one cause of death for Tennesseans ages 1-44. The program works to reduce adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), traumatic brain injury, motor vehicle crashes, and suicide through education and training, technical assistance, and […]
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) provides services and resources to special needs children and their families. Services and resources are comprehensive, culturally sensitive, evidence-based and family-centered and are based on the individualized and specific child and family needs. CYSHCN services include the Children’s Special Services Program, Community Health Access and Navigation […]
The Tobacco Use Prevention & Control Program (TUPCP) administers, promotes, and evaluates programs and initiatives that prevent initiation and support tobacco cessation across the state. Public and private sector organizations partner to implement programs including community and youth engagement, policy development, the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine, and the prenatal smoking cessation program. All programs are free […]
Victims Services provides funding to support foundational services for victims of crime, including safe housing, crisis hotlines, forensic exams, victim advocacy, therapeutic services, legal assistance, and more. Program funding also providing opportunities for innovative, systems-level projects that focus on coordination between multiple agencies and levels of government, like Family Justice Centers, Sexual Assault Response Teams, […]
AmeriCorps is a National Service program that provides an opportunity for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to give their time and talent to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, preparing for disasters, and more. Subrecipients (local non-profit organizations receiving funding) engage AmeriCorps members in service […]
Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) is a state-funded pre-school opportunity for children four years of age and their families that meet the income eligibility requirements set forth federally (185% federal poverty level). VPK is a competitive grant offered to school districts within Tennessee. The goal of VPK is to ensure that young at-risk children are thriving in […]
Summer Learning Camps serve students in all districts across the state in rising K – grade 9, focusing on supporting students defined as priority status. Students receive an additional 4 – 6 weeks of instruction and intervention using grade-level materials in small groups to catch them up prior to the start of the new school […]
IDEA 619 Preschool special education is a state and federally mandated and funded program for children ages three to five (not in kindergarten) who are experiencing challenges in their learning and development and meet eligibility criteria for special education and/or related services. Early childhood special education addresses individual needs within the context of inclusive, developmentally-appropriate […]
The Early Childhood Quality and Supports Office works to understand the current birth to 5-year-old landscape in Tennessee, build a comprehensive strategic plan identifying and capitalizing on areas of opportunity to ensure these children are in safe, healthy, and high-quality school-administered child care programs in public, private, and community-based programs in alignment with State Board […]
Tennessee Family Resource Centers (FRCs) serve as a resource and support hub within school districts. FRCs help connect families to resources in the community and ensure students have the supports they need to come to school ready to learn. In particular, FRCs help families learn to resolve problems through the collaborative efforts of many disciplines […]
The Seating and Positioning Clinics— located in Greeneville, Nashville, and Arlington— serve children and adults with seating and positioning needs by creating custom therapeutic equipment and modifying existing seating systems. At the clinics, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and equipment fabricators work closely with individuals to support them in a safe and comfortable way, promoting optimal […]
We partner with vendors to give families the tools to turn conversations into learning opportunities by connecting books with experiences. Resources, like reading tips and learning activities, are shared digitally with caregivers and model how everyday interactions at home can be used to boost learning.
In partnership with Tennessee State Parks Conservancy, city parks and outdoor areas, this program creates enriching outdoor reading experiences for children and families to connect literacy with a fun, physical activity. It achieves this by presenting a children’s storybook on child-height panels along a short trail to promote adult-child interaction around books and nature.
The program is a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to provide every Tennessee child from birth to age five with a book each month at no cost to families, delivered right to their mailbox. It is a gift of up to 60 high-quality, age-appropriate books to build a child’s home library before kindergarten with […]
The Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) is a voluntary program that provides services to infants and young children who have disabilities or other developmental delays. TEIS helps families with children with disabilities or developmental delays connect to the support and services they need. At the point of eligibility, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team […]
The Katie Beckett Program provides supports and services for children with disabilities and complex medical needs under age 18 who do not qualify for Medicaid due to their parents’ income or assets. Part B is for children in Tennessee who have disabilities and complex medical needs who live at home and do not qualify for […]
The Family Support Program offers individuals with severe disabilities and their families who do not receive any other comprehensive services the opportunity to remain together and to choose supports that increase their quality of life and well-being, regardless of age and income. The program is used for a wide range of costs and services related […]
Non-Custodial Services supports the provision of services, resources, and support to non-custodial families to help promote a positive and stable home, free of safety risks and concerns that may threaten a child’s continued stay in their home. Non-custodial services utilizes case management and evidence-based strategies, such as Relative Caregiver Programs, Intercept, Multisystemic Therapy (MST), Parent […]
Child Programs: Permanency Services supports the timely achievement of permanency for children in foster care by safely returning children to their families or building other permanent relationships. This program is dependent upon ensuring an adequate pool of well-supported and well-trained, quality foster homes and an adequate pool of quality residential treatment centers sufficient to meet […]
Tennessee Safe Baby Courts use a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach to dependency and neglect cases with the needs of the youngest children (ages 0-3 and their siblings) as the touchstones for decisions in a case. Anchored by the Juvenile Court judge or magistrate, each court team works together to address barriers to permanency and to meet […]
The Child Health division of DCS works to ensure that the health care needs of the children served by DCS are met through a variety of efforts: 1) Child Health Nurse Consultants monitor and support custodial children, and connect families to health related resources; 2) Safety Nurses provide technical assistance to CPS investigators; 3) The […]
