Developmental Services Family Support

This list of helpful reminders may work well for some of our families and children. Respecting reasonable boundaries will be key to a wonderful holiday season for your child and family.

MAPs Is Almost Here!
Did you hear?! We’re less than a week away from MAPs launching in Middle Tennessee!

MAPs can help you reach your goals by giving you the tools, technology and support you need to work, live, and travel independently.

Want to know more? Check out the resources linked on our MAPs Resources webpage. You can learn how MAPs can support you at home, at work, in the community, and all about the Virtual Community Resource Map (VCRM) that will help you find the places and activities that are important to you.

Learn more about the MAPs program at

MAPs MAPs MAPs Enrollment Application - COMING SOON! Medicaid Alternative Pathways to Independence MAPs is a program that will set people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on a path to learn skills to help them work, live independently, learn about their neighborhoods, and find hobbies tha...

1915(C) Waiver Presentations
DIDD will hold two presentations on the 1915(c) waiver amendments that are currently open for public comment. One will be for all stakeholders, another will be focused specifically towards persons supported and families. We hope these presentations will help people understand the proposed changes to the waivers.
Stakeholder Presentation:
When: Monday, August 22nd 1:00-2:00PM Central
Meeting Link: https://bit.ly/3QJRvHf
Meeting number (access code): 2302 462 8294
Meeting password: DIDD
Join by phone
+1-415-655-0001
Access code:2302 462 8294

Family Presentation:
When: Tuesday, August 23rd from 12:00-1:00PM Central
Meeting Link: https://bit.ly/3Ai4GJT
Meeting number (access code): 2307 411 9925
Meeting password: DIDD
Join by phone
+1-415-655-0001
Access code: 2307 411 9925
The public comment period ends at close of business (4:30 p.m. Central) Monday, August 29, 2022. We encourage persons supported, families, and other stakeholders to review the documents and provide comment.
The link to review the proposed changes to all three 1915(c) HCBS waivers and provide any comments can be found at the website below:
https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/policy-guidelines/waiver-and-state-plan-public-notices.html

Waiver and State Plan Public Notices TennCare Public Notices Open public comment periods Notice of Change in 1915(c) HCBS Waivers Status: Public comment period is open. Proposed Renewal and Amendments to Tennessee’s Section 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Waivers Notice of Change in TennCare III Demonstration – Amendment ...

We are so excited to announce that the start date for the TEIS Extended Option is October 15, 2022! We’re preparing for the start of our extended program by continuing to work with our community partners and families.

Families: You can learn more about what the TEIS Extended Option might mean for you and your child by watching the recording of our family focused webinar. We will host a second webinar for families in September, so you have more opportunities to ask questions.

Providers: Don’t forget to tune into our TEIS Extended Option webinar for providers on July 29th from 12 to 1 p.m. CST. Get the details on how to join on our TEIS Extended Option webpage.

The TEIS Extended Option allows current TEIS families to continue receiving TEIS services beyond age 3 if the child is determined eligible for special education services in their local school district. This extension gives families an additional option to consider as they help their children develop and prepare for school.

Learn more at www.tn.gov/didd/teis-extended.

We are heading to Montgomery County!! Thursday, July 21st // 12-2pm 💚

💙 Location:
Kenwood Baptist Church
992 Peacher’s Mill Road
Clarksville, Tennessee 37042

💚Please bring your own bags!

💙You do not have to be a citizen of Montgomery co to attend.

We can’t wait to see y’all!!

Maps Program - Pathways to Independence

Learn more about the TEIS Extended Option! We will be holding a Lunch and Learn for TEIS families on June 20th at 12 p.m. Central Time. This virtual, family-focused presentation will be all about the TEIS Extended Option and what it might mean for your family. TEIS leadership will also be available to answer your questions.

The TEIS Extended Option allows current TEIS families to continue receiving TEIS services beyond age 3 if the child is determined eligible for special education services in their local school district. This extension gives families an additional option to consider as they help their children develop and prepare for school.

Get the details on how to join at the following link: https://www.tn.gov/didd/teis-extended

The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially difficult for children and adolescents. More than 140,000 children in the United States have lost parents and caregivers to COVID-19. In addition, children and adolescents have experienced an increase in certain types of injuries, some chronic diseases, and behavioral health conditions.

CDC has resources to help children cope. Learn more in this week’s COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review: http://bit.ly/CDTweeklyreview.

Help Tennesseans Affected by Severe Storms!
The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is dedicated to helping individuals and families impacted by December's severe weather event. We’re asking valuable community partners, like you, to help us in an additional push to share information about two time-sensitive emergency relief programs available to Tennesseans in the counties affected by December storms.

Residents and workers in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Obion, Stewart, Sumner, Weakley and Wilson counties impacted by the December 10-11, 2021 storms can apply to receive Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (D-SNAP) and/or Emergency Cash Assistance (ECA). Deadline: February 18, 2022, 4:30 p.m. Central

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
Pre-registration Deadline: February 18, 2022
Similar to the standard Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, D-SNAP benefits are provided through an electronic debit-like card and can be used to purchase food items at grocery stores and other authorized retailers who accept electronic benefit transfer (EBT). These cards will be mailed to qualifying homes following approval.

Who Can Receive D-SNAP?
To qualify for D-SNAP, applicants must demonstrate the following:
• Damage to or destruction of the home or self-employment business.
• Loss or inaccessibility of income including a reduction or termination of income or a significant delay in receiving income due to disaster related problems.
• Disaster-related expenses (home or business repairs, temporary shelter, evacuation, etc.) that are not expected to be reimbursed during the disaster benefit period.
D-SNAP applicants will receive benefits according to the USDA FY2022 Disaster Income Limits. Eligibility is based on calculations of allowable disaster related expenses, the household’s countable income, and household size.

Recipients of Tennessee’s regular SNAP program are ineligible to receive D-SNAP.
Get D-SNAP Details and ApplicationInformation
Emergency Cash Assistance (ECA)
Application Deadline February 18, 2022

TDHS is offering a one-time Emergency Cash Assistance (ECA) payment for qualifying families living in affected counties. Payment amounts range from $500-$1000 based on household size and are distributed using an Electronic Benefit Transfer card (EBT).

Who Can Receive ECA?
In addition to living or working in a qualifying county, to qualify for ECA, families must meet the following conditions:
• Include a child under the age of 18 or a pregnant woman (regardless of trimester).
• Meet Families First citizenship requirements.
• Have a valid Social Security Number for household members.
• The family’s resources must not exceed $2,000.
• Be unable to live in their home (or apartment) on the date the application is filed, or the home requires significant repairs due to the damage from the disaster, or the applicant must not be able to work due to destruction of the workplace.
• The family’s gross household income must not exceed 85% of the State’s Median Income.

Get ECA Details and ApplicationInformation

Parenting Classes for Families

GET COVERED TENNSSEE

GetCoveredTenn is a non-profit program providing free health insurance enrollment and healthcare advice to all Tennesseans. GetCoveredTenn is a division of Family & Children’s Service.
GetCoveredTenn has a team of 20 experts to help Tennesseans find quality healthcare through affordable insurance, access to community-based healthcare services, or both. Our services are free and unbiased.
If clients are eligible for the Affordable Care Act, the link below explains how our Get Covered Tennessee Certified Navigators can assist them:
https://getcoveredtenn.org/aca/

TennCare is Tennessee’s Medicaid system. It covers more than 1.5 million Tennesseans. CoverKids is Tennessee’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It covers children and pregnant women. While they are different programs, both are administered by the Tennessee State Division of TennCare. In 2018 an estimated 55,719 children were eligible for TennCare or CoverKids but were not enrolled.
If clients believe they are eligible for TNCARE /CoverKids, the link below explains how our Get Covered Tennessee Health Assist Specialist can assist them:
https://getcoveredtenn.org/tenncare-cover-kids/

Some clients are “in the gap” meaning they are not eligible for TNCARE/Coverkids nor Affordable Care Act because Tennessee did not expand Medicaid. We offer safety net assistance to these clients through our Health Assist program. Health Assist provides underinsured as well as uninsured Tennesseans with information on and referral to low and no-cost, community-based health care resources, including medical, dental, vision, prescription, mental health, and other resources.
Specialists also screen all callers for eligibility for additional publicly funded health insurance programs.

Assistance and advice for TennCare and CoverKids – GetCoveredTenn – ACA, TennCare, CoverKids Insurance Assistance and advice for TennCare and CoverKids TennCare is Tennessee’s Medicaid system. It covers more than 1.5 million Tennesseeans. CoverKids is Tennessee’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It covers children and pregnant women. While they are different program, both are adminis...

Congratulations to Katie Powers, Family Support State Council Member!

Katie Powers Advocacy Award Katie has received recognition for her advocacy efforts with an advocacy award from The Arc Tennessee.

It's tomorrow night!
Join our Family Engagement Networking Night!

Join the State’s Early Childhood Transition Team as they go over the ins and outs of smoothly transitioning a child from TEIS into pre-school. Hear from experts and ask your questions of this informative team!



The Arc of Tennessee’s Family Engagement Team hosts a monthly networking group for families involved in Special Education across the state of Tennessee. These meetings take place on the last Tuesday of the month and will cover a variety of topics ranging from early childhood education through transitions to adulthood.

Register for the Virtual Event

Tennessee Believes is officially here! ⭐ DIDD officially launched the program to increase opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at colleges and universities across the state.

“For many students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, college has seemed out of reach,” DIDD Commissioner Brad Turner said. “My goal is to make sure every student who wants to pursue post-secondary education has the opportunity to do so. Providing resources to colleges and universities to expand or create new programs will help us get there.”

DIDD received $500,000 from Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessee General Assembly to launch the program. The department will provide multi-year grants to selected colleges and universities with the purpose of expanding current inclusive higher education programs or creating new programs. The grants will support the strategic planning and partnerships that will lead to the inclusion of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in classrooms and campus life.

There are currently six inclusive higher education programs in the state of Tennessee at both public and private universities. Those programs currently have 163 students and 413 graduates. After completing the programs, students have a job placement rate of over 80 percent.

“Inclusive higher education is a win-win for all students,” Turner said. “Not only do students with disabilities get to experience college life, prepare for employment and exercise greater independence, but all students benefit from an inclusive and diverse campus.”

Turner, along with leaders from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) visited multiple colleges and universities over the summer to learn about their needs and any potential barriers. As a result, the grants are intended to be flexible to address the individual needs of the chosen higher education institutions.

The application period begins Monday, August 23, 2021 and closes on October 29, 2021. DIDD anticipates selecting the grant recipients and releasing the funding early in 2022.

DIDD will hold a presentation and Q&A about the application on Monday, September 20, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. CT. Learn more: https://tndidd.tumblr.com/.../special-edition-tennessee... See LessTTTTT

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