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.

TDHS is revolutionizing how we serve our customers. Please click the link below to hear a message from Commissioner Carter regarding the modernization efforts of TDHS, the pilot launch of the Eligibility Benefits Management System (EBMS) and updates to our One DHS Customer Portal.

EBMS is expected to have its pilot launch on Monday, June 5 as TDHS prepares to replace several legacy systems. The new system is designed to enhance the customer experience for Tennesseans and streamline case processing for TDHS team members. EBMS is part of the department’s broader modernization efforts to provide a single platform for the management of Family Assistance programs (SNAP and Families First) as well as other TDHS programs and services. The overall goal for the department is to better serve families in Tennessee, and through the new EBMS platform, we will have a 21st century tool set to administer services in a way that provides efficiency in the dynamic of how we serve our customers. During the pilot process, our team will be hard at work refining the system and processes ahead of the official launch later this year. If you are a partner organization that has used our legacy system ACCENT in the past, information has been shared to introduce you to the new system. We thank both our TDHS team members and partners for their efforts in making modernization a success.

Note: The One DHS Customer Portal will be down for maintenance from Friday, June 2 at 8PM Central Time through Monday, June 5. Due to maintenance, all in-progress online customer applications must be completed by June 2 at 8PM Central Time or the incomplete application will be deleted, and users must resubmit a new application after the maintenance periods ends.

Celebrating TDHS Employees for State Employee Recognition Day!

The Tennessee Department of Human Services is here to ensure every Tennessean has the tools they need to become financially stable. Many of our programs provide benefits based on documented need and some programs utilize Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Cards to deliver food or cash benefits. Unfortunately, some criminals are willing to steal benefits meant to help families on their way to financial stability. 

As you may know, the federal COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ended on May 11. For SNAP customers, the end of the PHE brings the reinstatement of the work requirement for “Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents” (ABAWDs) and the expiration of temporary exemptions that expanded SNAP eligibility for higher education students. The ABAWD work requirement will be reinstated on July 1, 2023, while the resumption of regular student rules begins on June 10, 2023 for new SNAP applicants and July 1, 2023 for existing SNAP household recertifications. To view or download flyers with more information about these changes, please visit the TDHS website.  

While not all SNAP households will be affected by the return to pre-PHE SNAP rules, these changes may significantly impact those who are. In the coming weeks, TDHS will activate a public information campaign to help ensure that SNAP households are not caught off guard. We appreciate any support you can provide, whether by sharing the flyers linked below with the individuals and communities you serve or signal boosting any posts you see from TDHS social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin) regarding the end of the PHE as we work to get the word out about these changes.

Click here for the SNAP ABAWD Flyer

Click here for the SNAP Student Flyer

 

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has opened its call for applications for the 2023 Families First Community Grant Program, an initiative that will make available approximately 30 million in funding to non-profit organizations providing innovative direct services to support Tennessee families in need. The deadline for submissions is July 7th at 5pm CST and qualifying non-profits can learn more and submit their application here. 

TDHS encourages all community-based organizations ready to play a central role in the design and implementation of programs that address the unique problems of low-income families in their communities and fosters at least one of the federal TANF goals to submit an application for a Families First Community Grant. The department is focused on partnering with organizations that can provide family-focused solutions that demonstrate measurable impacts designed with the goal of transforming Tennessee’s safety net by growing the capacity of vulnerable families to self-sufficiency and economic prosperity.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) will accept renewal applications for the 2023-2023 Federal Fiscal Year starting June 1st through August 1st. For access to the online application system, contact the TDHS Food Programs team via email at CACFP.DHS@tn.gov or call (615 )313-4749. 

The CACFP is a federally funded program that provides reimbursement for eligible meals that are served to participants who meet age and income requirements. Administrative payments are also provided for those agencies that sponsor the participation of day care homes. All payments are based on annual rates established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). CACFP provides aid to child and adult care institutions and family or group day care homes for the provision of nutritious foods that contribute to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children, and the health and wellness of older adults and chronically impaired disabled persons.

The CACFP also helps facilities implement "best practices" to ensure children have access to a variety of nutritious foods. 

For more information, please visit the TDHS website https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/children/dhs-nutrition-programs/child-and-adult-care-food-program.html or reach out to us via email  CACFP.DHS@tn.gov or call (615) 313-4749.

Middle and high school are a critical time for developing social skills, self-advocacy, and the groundwork for employment, life after high school and independence made possible through employment. The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) Vocational Rehabilitation Services is dedicated to helping qualified students with disabilities across the state find employment success, wellness, and independence by offering Pre-Employment (PREP) Summer Camps to students with disabilities in secondary school between the ages of 16-22. Vocational Rehabilitation Services will offer two PREP camps beginning in June and will include training and experience in the following areas:

Camp details are below:

Cleveland

Monday, June 12 - Friday, June 16, 2023     9:00 am - 3:00 pm EST Each Day

Monday, June 19 – Friday, June 23, 2023     9:00 am – 3:00 pm EST Each Day

Where: 

Community Tennessee Rehabilitation Center Cleveland

3069 Overlook Drive NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 

Cookeville

Monday, June 5-Thursday, June 8, 2023
10:00 am - 2:00 pm CST Each Day

Monday, June 12 - Thursday June 15, 2023
10:00 am – 2:00pm CST Each Day

Where: 

Community Tennessee Rehabilitation Center Cookeville

955 E. 20th Street, Cookeville, TN 38501

To review more information on camp availability, please visit the links below: Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and/or Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Visit the DHS event calendar to learn more. 

Tennessee Summer Food Service Program Launches, Meal Sites Open Across the State

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.

The goal of the Summer Food Service Program 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.

Each year, TDHS partners with sponsors across the state to provide summer meals. The program traditionally runs from the end of May to August when the next school semester begins.

In addition to children of school age, adults 19 and older with a mental or physical disability are eligible to receive free meals if they participate in a school program established for individuals with disabilities during the prior school year.

As summer nears, parents interested in finding a Summer Food Service Program feeding location near them are encouraged to visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids to find a meal site, contact the TDHS Summer Food Service Program main line at 615-313-4749, or contact their local school. Additional information is available on TDHS’s website.

The Tennessee General Assembly has approved more than $400 million in tax cuts for Tennessee families and businesses through the Tennessee Works Tax Act, marking one of the largest tax cuts in Tennessee history and supporting future economic growth.

The legislation includes a three-month grocery tax holiday and an optional paid family leave tax credit for companies to support Tennessee families. It also provides tax relief for Tennessee businesses and increases the state’s economic competitiveness through several changes to Tennessee’s tax laws.

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder Helps TN Residents with Disabilities

Did you know that the Division of Rehabilitation Services is one of several state agencies that supports Tennessee Disability Pathfinder, a hub of resource information?

Whether you are assisting one of your own customers or their family members with finding disability related services or trying to help someone navigate on their own, Tennessee Disability Pathfinder makes the task much simpler.

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder (“Pathfinder”), helps people with disabilities, their family members, educators, and other professionals like TDHS employees find and access disability resources, support, and services across the state. Pathfinder has a directory of services that contains over 3,000 agency resources in Tennessee organized by county, including rural areas and marginalized communities. As an organization that is connected to thousands of agencies, Pathfinder is considered a centralized location (a hub) for resource information and can help you navigate in the right direction to finding resources for your client’s specific needs and in their local area. 

Resource information can be obtained in one of two ways: by searching the Pathfinder’s Directory of Services website TNPathfinder.org or by calling 1-800-640-4636 to talk to experienced information and referral specialists.

Help Prepare Tennesseans for 2023 TennCare Renewals

Renewals have started and TennCare will need to review every member’s eligibility, per federal and state requirements. This is a yearly process, but it has not occurred in three years due to the Covid-19 public health emergency (PHE). For each monthly cohort, TennCare will use existing data sources to attempt to auto renew members who continue to meet TennCare eligibility requirements. If TennCare cannot auto renew a person’s coverage using existing data sources, the member will receive a renewal packet by mail or an electronic notification to renew on the TennCare Connect portal, if they selected to be notified electronically.

To prepare for the renewal process, please help make sure TennCare members have updated their contact information, reviewed their renewal date, and opened and responded to all mail from TennCare. Contact information can be completed online at TennCareConnect.TN.gov or by calling 855-259-0701. For information on completing a renewal visit: TN.gov/tcrenew.

What: 2023 CACFP Virtual At Risk/Afterschool Summit

TDHS is hosting a virtual summit for providers and organizations who are interested in learning more about partnering to provide nutritious meals to Tennesseans in care. 

When: June 22, 2023 9:00am-12:00pm

Where: Virtual summit

For more information on how to register, please visit TDHS website. 

What: Save the Date for TDHS Amplifying Fatherhood Conference

Hosted by Commissioner Clarence H. Carter and TDHS, this statewide event will bolster efforts to raise awareness around the issues and challenges surrounding fatherhood. The conference will bring together organizations and practitioners in the field of social services and other programs serving. Please save the date!

When: September 25-27, 2023

Where: Gaylord Opryland Hotel

2800 Opryland Drive Nashville, TN 37214

Registration information is to come in the following weeks. If you’re interested in facilitating a breakout session or have questions about the conference, please email us at Fatherhood.TDHS@tn.gov.

“Just want to shout out to Carol Childress. I have been writing this for two days and today I just found out she is retiring. I am so blessed to find at my age that I can still find favorite teachers. Ones that inspire you to think, look at things from a different perspective, and still allow you to be you. Those have always been my favorite types of teachers. She has become a definite favorite! I didn't realize that she was an actual teacher untiI a couple of months ago. Go figure! I have been in my position for eight months now, so still learning a lot and I have learned from her so much more than I did in a similar position in almost two years' time. I am a lifelong learner, this certainly speaks to how amazing she truly is. I am excited for her as I know that she has put in so much time and given so much to everyone. I am so grateful I have had this opportunity to call her co-worker, teacher, and friend! I will miss our laughter filled calls and training sessions during 'office hours.' A great big thank you Carol, for you being you, so real, so genuine, so get down to business and get it done! You are a true gift.” --Submitted by Rebecca Fields-Santin, DHS Block Grant Coordinator, Child Care and Community Services, Nashville

Child Care and Community Services

APS Investigative Specialist 1*

Wilson County – 46412 (Closing Date 6/14/2023)

DHS Block Grant Coordinator

Davidson County – 46448 (Closing Date 6/7/2023)

 

Family Assistance

Eligibility Assistant

Marshall County – 46390 (Closing Date 6/7/2023)

 

Eligibility Counselor 1*

Montgomery County – 46468 (Closing Date 6/7/2023)

Overton County – 46705 (Closing Date 6/7/2023)

Rhea County – 46704 (Closing Date 6/7/2023)

Williamson County – 46407 (Closing Date 6/7/2023)

 

Office of Inspector General

Program Monitor 2

Hamilton County – 46256 (Closing Date 6/7/2023)

 

Operations

Facilities Construction Specialist 2

Davidson County – 46268 (Closing Date 6/7/2023)

 

Rehabilitation Services

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor -Masters

Madison County – 46189 (2) (Closing Date 6/7/2023)

 

Detailed listings on all open positions (Preferred and Executive Service) can be found at https://www.tn.gov/careers/apply-here.html.

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.

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.

You are receiving this email because you are a partner of a TDHS administered program, communications partner, state agency partner, or have signed up to receive our emails through our website or by contacting one of our staff members.