Let’s coordinate, share ideas, and learn from our individual customer groups on how we can work together to better serve Tennessee’s low-income families.

This month, we announced a significant investment to support ten organizations dedicated to serving fathers across East, West, and Middle Tennessee.

At TDHS, we recognize the vital role fathers play in the health and well-being of their children and families. We believe that the active involvement of both parents is not only essential to build strong families but also for the prosperity of communities and the entire state of Tennessee. Through the Fatherhood Grant Program, we are committed to investing in programs that empower fathers by providing the resources and support they need to thrive.

I have witnessed firsthand the transformational impact a father can have on his children, family, and community. When fathers are engaged and supported, families grow stronger, and communities flourish. This investment reflects our dedication to strengthening families across Tennessee, ensuring that every father has the opportunity to be present, active, and empowered in their child’s life.

For more information on the grantees and services that will be provided, please review the full article below.

Once school is out, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) begins. The SFSP is a partnership between the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, TDHS and community-based organizations to provide free meals to children in their communities throughout the summer. TDHS recently announced that the department is currently accepting applications for new food sponsors until May 1, 2025.

The program aims to ensure children 18 and younger, who benefit from school meal programs, continue to have access to nutritious meals during the summer months. The program traditionally runs from the end of May to August when the next school semester begins. This year sponsors will be able to have the flexibility to provide “grab and go” meals to children in some rural areas.

While the SFSP has historically operated in most areas of the state, the program is focused on further expanding into rural counties that have little to no SFSP meal sites including Benton, Carroll, Carter, Cocke, Fayette, Grainger, Houston, Humphreys, Johnson, Lauderdale, Marshall, Moore, Rhea, Sequatchie and Sumner counties. TDHS is actively recruiting sponsors to serve these counties and welcomes additional sponsors for every county across Tennessee.

If your organization is interested in becoming a SFSP sponsor or becoming a feeding site under an existing sponsor, please contact the Tennessee Department of Human Services by e-mail at TNSFSP.DHS@tn.gov. For more information on the Summer Food Service Program, please visit the TDHS website.

TDHS recently announced the first round of grant recipients for its inaugural Fatherhood Grant Program. The grant program will invest approximately $5 million dollars in funding to support public, private, and nonprofit organizations serving fathers in East, West and Middle Tennessee.

Following more than 120 application submissions during the competitive grant cycle, ten organizations have been selected to receive funding, including:

The Fatherhood Grant Program is a significant investment in the health and well-being of Tennessee dads, targeting the critical role fathers play in family dynamics and childhood development. The program will fund organizations providing fatherhood-focused services, including mentorship, co-parenting support, skill-building workshops, educational programs, employment assistance, and financial literacy training.

The complete list of grant recipients and services provided by each organization can be found on the Tennessee Department of Human Services website, by clicking https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/fatherhood-grants.html.

TDHS recently announced that the Lee Administration has proposed a new investment of $3 million to reach families in need. If approved by the Tennessee General Assembly, the department will provide a $120 one-time payment to eligible children in SNAP and TANF households in underserved or unserved counties identified by the Summer Food Service Program including: Benton, Carroll, Carter, Cocke, Fayette, Grainger, Houston, Humphreys, Johnson, Lauderdale, Marshall, Moore, Rhea, Sequatchie, & Sumner.

The program will use existing EBT cards to provide the one-time payment to families.

The $3 million investment to bolster the Summer Food Service Program will be included in Governor Lee’s FY25-26 budget amendment. Additional information will be shared in the coming months regarding distribution dates and other program details.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) helps families who make less than $76,000 get the tax credits they deserve without the fees. You can file in-person, virtually, or do-it-yourself all for free. VITA is a program of United Way of Greater Nashville in partnership with the IRS. Each year, VITA volunteers help thousands of individuals and families prepare their taxes in middle Tennessee. They provide in-person locations in 8 counties and virtual options for the state of Tennessee.

During the 2023 tax season, United Way and the VITA free tax prep program completed 9,712 tax returns, helped taxpayers save $2.6 million in tax preparation fees and brought $10.3 million in federal refunds back to the community.

For more information, please visit VITA Free Tax Prep to learn more.

What: Computer Literacy Workshop

The Division of Rehabilitation Services is partnering with the American Job Center to help Hamilton County residents learn basic computer skills. This one-hour class is open to Tennesseans with disabilities and the general community.  Workshops will be held on the first Wednesday of each month, with Chattanooga Public Library staff on-site to assist.

 

When: March 5, 2025 from 10am-11am ET

 

Where: American Job Center

5600 Brainerd Road

Chattanooga, TN 37411

What: Parents and Partners Connect – Child Support

A virtual question and answer session with Child Support professionals from the Tennessee Department of Human Services. These online sessions are an opportunity for Tennessee parents to get answers about Child Support Services from TDHS with topics including services offered by the TDHS, case classifications, the parties involved in child support, the application processes, and problem-solving.

 

If you’re new to child support in Tennessee or have questions about related services, this is a great opportunity to ask questions with experts.

 

When: March 19, 2025 11am -12pm CT

 

Where: Online; Register Here

At TDHS, we are consistently looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals who are eager to make a meaningful difference in our state. If you are interested in joining our team, please review new career opportunities on our website.

Detailed listings on all open positions (Preferred and Executive Service) can be found at https://www.tn.gov/careers/apply-here.html. Preferred Service job postings through the Tennessee Department of Human Resources (DOHR) open on Thursday and close on the following Wednesday evening at 11:59 pm CST, depending on the length of the requisition.

Child Care and Community Services

APS Investigative Specialist 1*

Davidson County – 65553 (Closing Date 3/10/2025)
Sumner County – 65534 (Closing Date 3/10/2025)
Shelby County – 65314 (Closing Date 3/3/2025)

 

Family Assistance

Eligibility Counselor 1*

McMinn County – 65608 (Closing Date 3/10/2025)

 

Rehabilitation Services

Business Enterprise Consultant

Davidson County – 65546 (Closing Date 3/3/2025)

 

Business Enterprise Specialist

Davidson County – 65549 (Closing Date 3/3/2025)
Davidson County – 65623 (Closing Date 3/10/2025)
Shelby County – 65536 (Closing Date 3/3/2025)

 

Building Maintenance Worker 2

Rutherford County – 65533 (Closing Date 3/3/2025)

 

DHS Campus Life Assistant

Rutherford County – 65601 (2) (Closing Date 3/3/2025)

 

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - Masters

Gibson County – 65535 (Closing Date 3/3/2025)

 

Everyone can be a recruiter! Please help us by tapping into your network of talented friends, family and associates.

NOTE: You may now find TDHS jobs also posted on the TDHS LinkedIn page

Tennessee Department of Human Services: Overview | LinkedIn

Please encourage your friends and colleagues to visit our site for opportunities at TDHS.

On Valentine's Day, TDHS employees expressed their gratitude and love for the department. Our mission would not be possible without our 3,000+ member workforce, who assist with programs and services across the state. Here are just a few reasons why our staff enjoy working for TDHS. 

This Newsletter will be distributed on the last Wednesday of each month, and we kindly ask that all news be approved by leadership and submitted at least three weeks in advance.

Let’s coordinate, share ideas, and learn from our individual customer groups on how we can work together to better serve Tennessee’s low-income families.

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