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.

On the heels of celebrating Father’s Day this month, we are thrilled to announce that TDHS will host an inaugural "Amplifying Fatherhood" Conference, scheduled to take place September 25-27 in Nashville.

The conference seeks to promote the vision that fathers are essential to the health and wellbeing of their children, their families and all of Tennessee. We will delve into topics such as family relationships, paternity establishment, child support, healthy co-parenting dynamics, and fostering self-sufficiency. By bringing together esteemed organizations and dedicated practitioners in the field of social services, we aspire to create a collaborative platform that fosters innovation and progress.

At TDHS, our vision extends beyond individual assistance, we strive to empower families as a whole. Our primary objective is to cultivate a robust public policy framework in Tennessee that supports the entire family unit. We firmly believe that the active involvement of both parents is crucial to the holistic development and wellbeing of a child. Therefore, our efforts within our fatherhood initiative are centered on strengthening families by enhancing the capacity and engagement of fathers.

We look forward to welcoming you to the "Amplifying Fatherhood" Conference. If you are interested in attending, please click this link to register and learn more.

The TDHS Adult Protective Services team came together with Tennessee State University, to host the annual 2023 CARES Conference. The conference provides an environment for community partners, APS team members and subject matter experts to network and discuss ways to better protect, serve, and care for oldr adults and vulnerable Tennesseans.

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 Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has opened applications for Community Child Care Hub Pilot Grants, an initiative that will make available up to $5 million dollars in funding to public/government and non-profit organizations as a way to develop and establish locally managed child care administrative hubs that will support networks of newly licensed child care locations. The intent of community child care hubs is to generate additional licensed capacity and lessen the administrative burden on child care agencies, particularly in underserved communities. This is a new and innovative opportunity in Tennessee and TDHS encourages all qualifying public/government and non-profit organizations to learn more and apply from the TDHS website through July 28th at 5pm CST.  

A detailed application guide and application form are available on the TDHS website. Please visit the Child Care Services page for more information about resources available to Tennessee families and child care providers such as child care payment assistance and enhancements grants.

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. 

TDHS Acknowledged World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and Encourages Tennesseans to Recognize and Report the Signs of Elder Abuse

On June 15th, the TDHS Adult Protective Services team observed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), encouraging Tennesseans to recognize and report signs of elder abuse. The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization established WEAAD in 2006 to increase community awareness of this growing problem.

To further bring awareness to this initiative, APS also hosted their annual 2023 CARES Conference in collaboration with Tennessee State University to great success, which brought together community leaders and service providers dedicated to improving conditions for older and vulnerable Tennesseans.

Elder abuse can take various forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as neglect and abandonment. The signs of elder abuse may not always be evident, making it imperative for friends, family members, caregivers, and community members to stay informed and recognize the warning signs. Some common indicators of elder abuse include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behavior or mood, withdrawal from usual activities, unexplained financial transactions, and poor personal hygiene.

TDHS encourages all Tennesseans to actively engage in preventing and reporting elder abuse. Individuals can report suspected abuse at https://reportadultabuse.dhs.tn.gov/ or by calling 1-888-APS-TENN (1-888-277-8366) 24/7.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) will accept renewal applications for the 2023-2024 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 reach out to us via email  CACFP.DHS@tn.gov or call (615) 313-4749.

TDHS Updates One DHS Customer Portal with New Streamlined Features; Launches New Eligibility Benefits Management System (EBMS) Pilot

TDHS recently reached a major milestone in the department’s modernization journey, impacting the departments largest audience of customers to date. On Monday, June 5, TDHS launched pilot operations of the Eligibility Benefits Management System, and the One DHS Customer Portal received several customer focused updates. The One DHS Customer Portal now provides even more seamless functionality for customers. Major updates include:

An instructional video and handout have been created to help customers navigate through the One DHS Customer Portal updates. The handout can be found here, and the video can be viewed by clicking here. This information will be shared in multiple ways, including through TDHS website updates, social media posts, and the handout will be available to customers who need help in our county offices. We are asking that you share this information with any customers you may interact with as well, to help them adjust to the new One DHS Customer Portal updates.

Internally, the TDHS team is engaged in the Eligibility Benefits Management System (EBMS) pilot launch. Using feedback from TDHS team members across all levels, EBMS merges the functions of several legacy systems into one eligibility management system. During the pilot operations, selected employees in Family Assistance, Appeals & Hearings, Quality Improvement and Strategic Solutions, and the Office of Inspector General will test functionality in how they handle SNAP and Families First cases from District 5. During pilot, employees will process cases and identify opportunities to improve or correct EBMS functionality before the official launch of the system later this year. While customers will not notice many differences, our internal teams will be hard at work ensuring that the new system works appropriately.

This is an exciting time for the department as we make a huge leap into technology upgrades that will guide our future work. We appreciate your partnership in serving Tennesseans and are here should you have any questions.

TDHS Distributes P-EBT Benefits for the Remainder of the 2022-2023 Academic Year and Summer 2023

The Tennessee Department of Human Services recently announced the details on the second distribution of Pandemic Electronic Benefit (P-EBT) Program for the 2022-2023 academic year and Summer 2023. Pandemic EBT Benefits were distributed beginning June 16, 2023, for eligible students.

P-EBT is a COVID-19 relief program that provides nutritional benefits to children eligible for the National School Lunch Program who may have missed meals due to COVID-19. The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) distributes P-EBT benefits based on records provided by the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) guidelines and funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service.

Remaining School Year 2022-2023 P-EBT Distribution

Eligible K-12 students who attended school in person received P-EBT benefits for school meals missed between March 2023 and May 11, 2023, of the 2022-23 school year on June 16, 2023. Benefits for this time period are available to children who:

Summer 2023 P-EBT Distribution

Eligible K-12 students who attended school in person will receive P-EBT benefits for the Summer 2023 if children are:

Children were automatically enrolled in P-EBT for the 2022-2023 School Year and Summer 2023 according to records provided by Tennessee schools. No application is required.

Eligible children received approximately $120 in Summer P-EBT benefits, plus the amount of any additional benefits they were eligible for from March 2023 – May 11, 2023.

The total amount of P-EBT benefits will vary for each eligible child.

If parents did not receive P-EBT Benefits on June 16th or believe their child’s School Year 2022-23 and/or Summer 2023 P-EBT benefits did not reflect the number of school meals missed due to COVID-19 related school closures or excused absences during the 2022-2023 school year, they can submit a P-EBT Administrative Review request via the P-EBT Parent Portal at https://onedhs.tn.gov/parent. Requests must be made between June 19, 2023 and June 30, 2023 at 5 P.M CST 2023. If approved, P-EBT Administrative Review benefits will be issued on a rolling basis. To learn more about the P-EBT Administrative Review Process, please visit: https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/p-ebt/p-ebt-administrative-review-faq.html.

The Tennessee Department of Health – Division of Health Planning is seeking input from external stakeholders for the upcoming edition of the Tennessee State Health Plan, a statutorily required Plan that seeks to assess the health status of Tennesseans and considers how to improve population health. After a brief presentation on the State Health Plan process and framework, attendees will participate in a guided discussion to create recommendations for the next State Health Plan. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of the Tennessee State Health Plan process and framework and have had an opportunity to share input that will be used to elevate issues and solutions to State leadership.

During the session, there will be four breakout groups, and each will focus on specific priority areas. In the breakout group, participants will briefly review data around each priority area and through guided discussion will craft recommendations for health improvement related to the priority area. Participants are encouraged to select the breakout group that most closely aligns with their work.

If you are interested in attending, please register for one of the following in-person sessions below.

Thursday, July 13, 2023

12:30-2:30pm CDT
Benjamin L Hooks Central Library
Memphis, TN 38111

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

1:30-3:30pm CDT
Lentz Public Health Center
Nashville, TN 37209

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

1:30-3:30pm EDT
UT Conference Center
Knoxville, TN 37902

If you can’t attend in person, please feel free to register for the online session in August.

Tuesday, August 1, 2023 10am-12pm CDT

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.

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.

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.

Trevecca Nazarene University Offers Poverty 101 Course from the Center for Human Flourishing

Trevecca’s Center for Human Flourishing has introduced a free course called Poverty 101 that’s open to the public. This unique learning opportunity guides students through the complex nature of poverty and teaches them how to journey with those trapped in cycles of poverty in dignifying ways.

Through support from the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Trevecca is offering this program free of charge to applicants. The course consists of eight video sessions that allow for a self-paced, asynchronous experience for students. 

The content includes expertise in community development and poverty alleviation from knowledgeable leaders at Shepherd Community Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. The educational resources they provide are built on decades of research in front-line community development. 

Through the sessions offered in the course, Trevecca is connecting with a growing number of poverty alleviation organizations, churches and nonprofits across Tennessee. The goal of the course is intended to help break the cycle of generational poverty in Nashville and beyond by equipping participants with useful practices and assets.   

The online course is available to anyone, and those interested can register at 
trevecca.edu/poverty-101.

What: Parents and Partners Connect

This event is hosted by the Child Support Team at the Tennessee Department of Human Services to provide an opportunity for Tennessee parents and residents to register and “drop-in” to this virtual event to engage with Child Support professionals directly to ask and answer any lingering questions.  

When: August 9, 2023, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm CST and August 10, 2023, from 4:30pm-6:00pm CST

Where: Virtual Event

Click here to view the event flyer. Please click this link to register.

What: TACEE Annual Conference 2023

The Tennessee Association for Children’s Early Education (TACEE) will hold its annual state conference at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro on September 8 and 9, 2023 (pre-conference on Friday and conference on Saturday). This year’s theme is Be the  Change, Be a Difference Maker. The conference will provide 6.5 hours of TDHS approved training on Saturday. Participants can receive up to an additional 6 hours of approved training if they also attend the pre-conference.

When: September 8-9, 2023  

For more information on conference agenda, please review the TACEE website.

Where: Middle Tennessee State University

1301 E Main St., Murfreesboro, TN 37132

What: Baby Celebration – Johnson City

New and expecting parents in the Johnson City area are invited to a Baby Celebration hosted by the Child Support Division of the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS). This free family event is an opportunity for new and expecting parents and guardians to receive free baby supplies (while supplies last), speak with Child Support professionals, and receive other helpful resources.

When: September 15, 2023, 10am-2pm EST

Where: Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church

225 Princeton Rd., Johnson City, TN 37601

For more information, contact the TDHS Paternity Program at ChildSupportPaternity.VAoP.DHS@tn.gov.

What: 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 fathers. 

When: September 25-27, 2023

Where: Gaylord Opryland Hotel

2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214

If you are interested in attending, please register here.

Family Assistance

DHS Program Coordinator
Hamblen County – 47368 (Departmental Promotional) (Closing Date 7/5/2023)

Eligibility Assistant
Knox County – 47156 (Closing Date 7/5/2023)
McNairy County – 47371 (Closing Date 7/5/2023)
Rutherford – 47386 (Closing Date 7/5/2023)

Eligibility Counselor 1*
Carroll County – 47372 (Closing Date 7/5/2023)
Carter County – 47334 (Closing Date 7/5/2023)
Grainger County – 47365 (Closing Date 7/5/2023)
Hamblen County – 47331 (Closing Date 7/5/2023)
Hamblen County – 47363 (4) (Closing Date 7/5/2023)
Montgomery County – 47369 (2) (Closing Date 7/5/2023)
Hamilton County – 47367 (3) (Closing Date 7/5/2023)
Monroe County – 47374 (Closing Date 7/5/2023)
Shelby County – 47353 (12) (Closing Date 7/5/2023)
Union County – 47381 (Closing Date 7/5/2023)

Rehabilitation Services

DHS Program Manager
Davidson County – 47315 (Departmental Promotion) (Closing Date 7/5/2023)

Registered Nurse 3
Rutherford County – 47358 (Closing Date 7/5/2023)

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.

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