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.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer! It’s hard to believe that we are already halfway through the year. As we reflect on our progress, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the nearly 4,000 individuals who make up our TDHS enterprise. Your dedication and compassion continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable Tennesseans every day. Your commitment and daily efforts are what make our mission to strengthen Tennessee by strengthening Tennesseans not only possible, but impactful in communities across the state.

With economic challenges and structural changes affecting many sectors, our commitment to serving those who need us most remains. We recognize that change can bring uncertainty, but it also brings opportunity for growth, innovation, and renewed purpose. At TDHS, our goal is to ensure that every Tennessean we serve feels seen, supported, and empowered.

As we move through the remainder of the year, let’s continue to uplift one another, stay focused on our mission, and remain inspired by the positive impact we’re making in the lives of those we serve. Thank you for all that you do. You all are the heart of this work, and your contributions reach far beyond what words can express.

In this year’s legislative session, Tennessee approved historic FY 2025-26 investments in child care, marking the first time state dollars have been directly invested in the Smart Steps child care payment assistance and WAGE$ salary supplement programs. These investments reflect a deepened commitment to supporting working families and strengthening the state’s early childhood workforce.

To celebrate this historic milestone, TDHS staff visited Signal Centers, a longtime community partner and child care provider. Signal Centers also manages the state’s Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Network and administers the WAGE$ program.

Governor Lee’s SFY 2025-26 budget includes:

These investments are a meaningful step forward in building a stronger foundation for Tennessee’s children, families, and early educators.

For more information about these programs, please visit: https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/child-care-services.html.

The Division of Rehabilitation Services, in partnership with Synergy Evaluation Institute (VR’s external evaluator), is inviting current and former Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) participants—as well as their caregivers or family members—to take part in upcoming focus groups.

These sessions, offered both in-person and virtually, are a valuable opportunity for customers to share their experiences and help shape the future of VR services in Tennessee.

We’re asking our partners to help share this opportunity with individuals in your network who have received VR services.

 Who Can Participate?

Space is limited — please encourage early registration.

Please click the link below to register now. 

Did you know the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) licenses child care agencies across the state? At TDHS, we are dedicated to fostering early childhood environments that are safe, healthy, and educationally rich.

Our Child Care Division has been on a transformation and modernization journey to improve the way services are provided to Tennesseans. As part of this journey, there is an updated way for parents to search for licensed child care agencies across the state using our Child Care Locator tool. This is an important tool parents can use when looking for licensed child care agencies, as it includes details on child care agencies, ratings, and compliance history.

Ensuring children are in safe, high-quality child care is a top priority for TDHS, and our Child Care Locator tool makes it easier than ever for parents to make informed decisions. By choosing a licensed child care provider, families can have peace of mind knowing their children are in an environment that meets state standards for safety, education, and well-being. We invite parents to explore this valuable resource and learn more about how we are committed to supporting Tennessee families find quality child care by visiting TDHS website here: https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/child-care-services.html.

Governor Bill Lee announced a year-long, statewide America 250 celebration and unveiled a commemorative poster – titled “Tennessee: The Original Frontier” – that highlights the iconic people, places and events that define Tennessee’s contributions to America. The Governor will visit all 95 counties to mark this milestone with Tennesseans beginning on July 1, 2025, with a Farmland Preservation Tour across all Three Grand Divisions to honor Tennessee’s deep agricultural heritage.

Additional events will be announced as they are scheduled. Tennesseans are invited to sign up for the Tennessee State Museum’s Voices and Volunteers newsletter to learn more about upcoming events across the state and may recommend historic site visits and share their personal story at www.TN250.com.

The Tennessee Commission for the United States semiquincentennial is offering grant opportunities for organizations and communities centered around Tennessee’s unique stories, including project support grants and community support grants. Facilitated by the Tennessee State Museum, funding will be awarded to applicants who propose projects that support the mission of Tennessee’s America 250 Celebration by highlighting Tennesseans and events that have shaped American democracy from the Revolutionary era to the present. More information regarding eligibility and application deadlines may be found here.

Tennessee Emergency Management Agency announced the awarding of $41,353,959 from the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund (GRRF) to support needs across the Helene-impacted communities.

This funding will be distributed across 126 projects for businesses, farmers, forest landowners, local governments, and nonprofits that were impacted as a direct result from Tropical Storm Helene.

The GRRF is a $125 million program established during special session and supplemental funding was included during the first session of the 114th General Assembly to provide innovative assistance for unmet disaster recovery needs. The initial round of grant funding was offered to eligible applicants in Helene-impacted communities.

In addition to the funds awarded to eligible applicants, this fund will also support other disaster-related recovery efforts. This includes $45 million in earmarked allocations to provide direct assistance to the impacted counties and utility districts and coverage of fees related to county-issued bonds. Additionally, projects that are eligible for federal assistance will be reviewed after the exhaustion of the federal awards process to ensure duplication of benefits does not occur. Any remaining funds will be set aside to support future recovery efforts.

For more information, please visit: https://www.tn.gov/tema/news/2025/7/3/governor-s-response-and-recovery-fund-awards-grants-to-support-recovery-efforts.html.

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: August 14, 2025 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CT

Where: Online; Register Here

What: Statewide Independent Living Council Quarterly Meeting

The purpose of the meeting will be to review the Division of Rehabilitation Services, Centers for Independent Living and Statewide Independent Living Council’s responsibility under Title VII, relating to promoting a philosophy of independent living to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. The SILC is required to hold regularly scheduled meetings that are open to the public. To learn more about the SILC please visit https://www.silctn.org/.

Individuals who choose to attend remotely or require alternative modes of communication or accommodation should contact Edward Mitchell preferably by email at SILCDirector@silctn.org or by text or voice at (615) 255-0283 thirty days prior to meeting if possible.

When: August 22, 2025 11:00 am CT

Where: Comfort Suites Jackson I-40
61 Casey Jones Lane
Jackson, TN 38305

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*
Shelby County – 69583 (Closing Date 8/4/2025)

Family Assistance and Child Support

Eligibility Assistant
Carter County – 69582 (Closing Date 8/4/2025)

Eligibility Counselor 1*
Loudon County – 69581 (Closing Date 8/4/2025)

Rehabilitation Services

Business Enterprises Specialist
Davidson County – 69578 (Closing Date 8/4/2025)

Pre-Employment Transition Specialist
Madison County – 69379 (2) (Closing Date 8/4/2025)

The TDHS Health and Wellness Council was honored to receive the 2025 Communicator of the Year Award at the 12th Annual Celebration for Working for a Healthier Tennessee. This recognition celebrates the Council’s outstanding efforts to keep employees informed and engaged in healthy workplace activities. Thank you to our wellness council members who volunteer their time and work hard to help us lead healthier lives.

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.