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.
The OPTIONS for Community Living program provides aging adults, and adults with disabilities, with homemaker services, personal care, home delivered meals, and other personal assistance. The program helps people live independently in their homes and communities without the need for long-term care facilities.
The IMPROVE Transit Investment Grant is a competitive grant program designed to support communities in reducing congestion, increasing ridership, promoting economic development, and benefits to safety by providing state funding to transit-related projects. Eligible projects include those related to capital enhancements, infrastructure, facilities, and technology.
Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities is a grant program to improve the mobility of and expand the transportation options available to seniors and individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants include local governmental authorities and private non-profits. Projects must be designed and carried out to enhance the mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities […]
The Tennessee Public Guardianship for the Elderly program provides conservatorship services to Tennesseans aged 60 or older, with mental or physical limitations, who are unable to manage their own affairs and who have no one willing and able to act on their behalf. This includes decision-making support for personal decisions regarding their health and financial […]
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.
Provides a registry containing the names and addresses of unlicensed facilities that have been determined by a state agency to be providing care to elderly or vulnerable persons without maintaining the appropriate licensure under state law. The registry is publicly available, and any individual can submit concerns regarding a potentially unlicensed facility. Additionally, education regarding […]
SHIP helps Medicare beneficiaries (primarily aging adults and persons with disabilities) understand their Medicare benefits and the local programs and services available to them. Participants receive localized assistance from members in their community who are familiar with available services and organizations. This program also includes Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) programming, which […]
Advocates for Tennesseans residing in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted care living facilities, homes for the aged and adult care homes. Ombudsmen are available to help residents and their families resolve problems and answer questions related to long-term care. When residents and families cannot resolve their problems through consultation with the facility staff […]
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 […]
Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES is for people of all ages who have an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD). It provides a range of supports and services to help the person with I/DD become as independent as possible including support to explore the possibility of working. It also includes support to be involved in […]
TennCare CHOICES is for adults aged 21 and older with a physical disability as well as seniors aged 65 and older. CHOICES offers Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) in the home, on the job, or in the community to assist with daily living activities and allow people to work and be actively involved in […]
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 […]
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security provides grant funds to law enforcement agencies to support the deployment of school resource officers in every K-12 public and charter school in Tennessee. This is part of Tennessee’s effort to promote school safety.
The American Job Center Network is designed to provide a full range of assistance to job seekers in one physical or virtual location. The AJCs offer training referrals, career counseling, job listings, and similar employment-related services. Programs and services are provided to a wide range of individuals, such as youth, unemployed individuals, senior adults, veterans, […]
The SOAR (SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access, and Recovery) Liaison program plays a vital role in identifying patients ready for discharge, particularly those facing homelessness or at risk of homeless, and who are eligible for SSI/SSDI benefits. Stationed at the four Regional Mental Health Institutes, SOAR Liaisons facilitate successful SSI/SSDI applications and provide support to individuals in […]
Youth Services focus on assisting out-of-school youth and in-school youth, ages 14-24 and with one or more barriers to employment, to prepare for post-secondary education and employment opportunities, attain educational and/or skills training credentials, and secure employment with career/promotional opportunities. The program is administered by TDLWD through local workforce development areas/boards and organizations.
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) prepare students with disabilities to achieve their employment and postsecondary education goals after high school. Services include counseling in postsecondary education, career exploration, self-advocacy, workplace readiness, and work-based learning.
The Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) program in Tennessee provides funding for Adult Homemaker Services and Adult Day Care services. Services are limited to low-income elderly or disabled adults who meet federal poverty guidelines or are referred by the DHS Adult Protective Services Program due to allegations of abuse or neglect.
The Tennessee Technology Access Program (TTAP) is a statewide program designed to increase access to, and acquisition of, assistive technology devices and services. Through funding assistance, device demonstration, device loan and device reutilization, TTAP and a network of assistive technology centers help people with disabilities and their families find and get the tools that they […]
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training Program (E&T) helps eligible participants achieve their vocational goals and increase self-sufficiency through funded education, skills training, and supportive services. These services include SNAP E&T components that are offered to participants to provide them a direct link to employment. Tennessee currently offers Adult Education, Job Search […]
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 Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VR) provides individualized services such as counseling and guidance, training, rehabilitation technology, transportation, and employment services to persons with disabilities in preparation for their employment in the competitive, integrated labor market. Through each individualized service plan, VR supports employment outcomes for customers that are consistent with their individual strengths, resources, abilities, […]
The Families First Community Grant program was created as an additional method to invest TANF funds in ways to provide long-term benefits to low-income families and help them move towards economic stability.
Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing Community Grants—administered by the Tennessee Council for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing (TCDDBHH)—enable the provision of culturally appropriate services and direct support to Tennesseans who experience hearing loss and their families. Services include pro bono American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services, educational workshops and training, and support […]
Families First, the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, is a workforce development and employment program. The Families First program emphasizes work, training, and personal responsibility. Benefits are temporary and have a primary focus on gaining self-sufficiency through employment. The Families First program helps participants reach this goal by providing temporary cash assistance, […]
Independent Living Older Blind Program (ILOB) provides services for individuals aged 55 or older who are blind or visually impaired to enable them to live as independently as possible in their homes and communities. Rehabilitation teachers provide independent living services on a one-on-one basis and coordinate services from other agencies and organizations. Services include but […]
Several financial aid programs are made available to Tennesseans funded by the Tennessee Education Lottery. The HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant, STEP UP program, and Helping Heroes fund provide financial assistance to promote access to higher education. These scholarships serve foster youth eligible for the HOPE scholarship, students with intellectual disabilities, and student veterans, respectively.
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 […]
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, […]
Interpretive and Education Programming provides education, recreation, interpretive, and volunteer programming that helps Tennesseans become active stewards of our parks. A steward takes responsibility for the careful and responsible use of the natural and cultural resources entrusted to our state parks. Stewards can be staff, volunteers, Friends, active stakeholders, responsible recreators, user-group representatives, or elected […]
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 […]
The Increasing Instructional Access for Students with Disabilities project increases instructional access and quality for students with significant cognitive disabilities and reduces participation in the alternate assessment. Teaching All Students (TAS), a state personnel development grant, is one of the pivotal components. TAS engages high school teams composed of a school administrator, district special education director, […]
The Individualized Education Account (IEA) Program is a school choice program for eligible students with qualifying disabilities. The IEA Program provides parents, guardians, and qualified students options for choosing the educational opportunities that best meet the individual student’s unique needs through access to public education funds.
Tennessee’s 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs are Medicaid waivers approved by the federal government to provide HCBS to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. In particular, the waivers allow Tennessee to develop home and community-based services to meet the needs of people who prefer to get long-term care services and supports in […]
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 […]
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 […]
Tennessee Believes provides grants to higher education institutions to increase the number of inclusive programs that serve students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Grants are awarded to two- or four-year colleges and universities in the state that are committed to launching new programs or enhancing existing programs. These grants are intended to support the strategic […]
The Tennessee START Assessment & Stabilization Teams (TN START) is a statewide mental health service for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have complex behavioral or mental health needs (MH-IDD). The START model is a comprehensive model of service supports for community-based crisis prevention and intervention that optimizes independence, treatment, and community living 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 […]
Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) at community-based homes provide 24-hour supports to maintain the physical, intellectual, social and emotional capabilities of people supported. The homes meet all applicable federal and state code requirements for ICF/IID programs, are wheelchair accessible, and have the added safety measure of fire sprinkler systems.
Enabling Technology is a person-centered approach that provides access to equipment and/or methodologies that help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities increase their independence, achieve personal development, and enhance their self-determination in their homes, communities, and/or workplaces. The Enabling Technology Program is available to any person enrolled in the 1915(c) waivers, Employment and Community First […]
The Harold Jordan Center (HJC) provides unique, individualized clinical treatment to stabilize and treat a behaviorally complex population in order to improve quality of life and provide steppingstones for community re-integration. The HJC utilizes therapeutic and behavioral interventions, a supportive environment, vocational training/employment education, skills development, and optimal health/psychiatric diagnostic assessment to enable individuals to […]
Medicaid Alternative Pathways to Independence (MAPs) is a program that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities learn new skills, become employed, live independently, learn about their neighborhoods, and find hobbies that interest them. The services in this program help people identify community interests and resources, build a Virtual Community Resource Map, establish meaningful community […]
Child Programs: Independent Living implements the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood to include Extension of Foster Care Services for youth aged 14 and older transitioning out of foster care at age 18. Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based intervention used in this program.
The Forest Protection Program works to minimize damage to forest resources and personal property while giving priority to firefighter and public safety. The program prevents and suppresses wildfires, promotes hazard reduction activities, implements beneficial prescribed fire, and supports wildland fire training for volunteer fire departments and other wildland firefighters. The program also includes presentations for […]
The Ag Growth Initiative is a set of grant programs designed to help farmers expand or improve their operations by providing industry representation and marketing opportunities. It includes the Statewide Agricultural Producer Association Grant Program and Farmers Market Grant Program. For example, the purpose of the latter is to increase income to Tennessee farmers by […]
