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.

Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Valerie Frost, host of the Community In-Site podcast, for a thoughtful conversation about a question that has helped shaped much of my more than 30 years in public service: How do we build Public Assistance Programs so Families Grow Beyond them?

Throughout my career, I have learned that our nation does not suffer from a lack of programs, resources, or people who genuinely want to help. Too often, what we lack is a coherent design that connects those resources in a way that helps families experience public support as a pathway toward lasting stability.

I believe that the true measure of an effective public assistance system is not simply how many people we serve, but how well we equip individuals and families to move toward greater stability, opportunity, and self-sufficiency. That requires us to look beyond individual programs and build stronger connections between benefits, workforce development, education, child care, transportation, and other essential supports. When these resources work together with intention, we can create a system that not only responds to immediate needs, but also helps families build the capacity, confidence, and opportunities needed to thrive beyond public assistance.

I invite you to listen and join the conversation about how we can work together to transform our public safety net system and serve individuals with a greater intention of reducing dependency to increase capacity. Please click the links below to listen to the full conversation available on Apple Podcast or Spotify. 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-do-we-build-public-assistance-programs-so-families/id1740987908?i=1000780208590 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1PkBlshRpx2hmoJq5pESNJ?si=ffVhfHO5R42w0bWTjdhZGg

Recently, we had the pleasure of celebrating the groundbreaking of a new employer-sponsored child care facility at UT Medical, marking a significant investment in its workforce and the families who care for East Tennessee. This project is thanks to a collaborative effort between TDHS, UT Medical and AIM Academy.

Expected to open in the second quarter of 2027, the center will provide high-quality early childhood education and care for children from infancy through school age in a nurturing, play-based learning environment. The facility will be located on UT Medical’s main campus and will offer convenient access for team members working a variety of schedules. In addition, the childcare center will be operated by AIM Academy, an experienced early learning provider whose educational philosophy centers on purposeful play and whole-child development.

This partnership reflects the Tennessee Department of Human Services' commitment to expanding child care solutions that benefit families, employers and the broader Tennessee economy.

At TDHS, we know that access to high-quality, affordable child care is one of the most important investments we can make in Tennessee's workforce. By partnering with innovative employers like UT Medical and experienced providers like AIM Academy, we are investing in solutions that remove barriers to employment, support working parents and provide needed access to affordable child care options with extended operating hours for families who need it most.

At TDHS, we are always seeking ways to better serve our customers. We have made a diligent decision to open a new office located at 5216 Hickory Hollow Parkway, Antioch, TN 37013 on September 1st. We are excited to offer a space designed for efficiency and better customer support. This upgraded facility includes:

The current Davidson County office at 227 French Landing Drive, Nashville, TN, will transition into a fully self‑service location. This means customers will still have access to kiosks, digital tools, and technologies needed to apply for benefits, upload documents, and complete other verification actions on their own all in one convenient space. If assistance is needed with the self-service kiosk, there will be technical assistance available.

To continue supporting our customers with the best in‑person services, TDHS staff will be relocating to the new larger Antioch office.

Don’t Forget: The One DHS Customer Portal Is Available

Customers can continue using the One DHS Customer Portal to apply for benefits, upload required documents, check case status, and access important information. The portal is available anytime, from any device, and remains the most accessible way to manage their case.

If customers haven’t used the One DHS Customer Portal yet, now is a great time to explore all the ways it can help them complete actions quickly and securely.

We need your help: If you are an organization that works within Davidson County, please share this flyer with those you serve. Thank you!

Have you downloaded the *new* ebtEDGE Mobile App? If not, TDHS strongly recommends that customers download the new mobile app which has an updated logo and features to help customers protect their benefits from fraud.

With ebtEDGE, customers can check available balances, review recent transactions, and get account and card information they may need when shopping. Customers can also find nearby stores that accept EBT, access messages and support resources, and manage certain card settings. The app also gives customers greater control over their accounts, including:

The ebtEDGE mobile app also allows customers to securely log in using Touch ID or facial recognition, eliminating the need to manually enter a user ID and password.

The new ebtEDGE is free and available in the App Store and Google play store using the new icon below:

For more information, please visit: https://www.fisglobal.com/ebtedgemobile.

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.

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. 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. 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.

With extreme summer temperatures continuing across Tennessee, the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office is reminding parents and caregivers to take an extra moment to check the back seat of their vehicles and help prevent children from being accidentally left behind.

Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can rise dangerously fast, even when the outside temperature may not seem extreme. Children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness because their bodies can heat up much faster than adults. A busy schedule, change in routine or simple distraction can have devastating consequences, making it important for every parent and caregiver to develop the habit of checking the entire vehicle before walking away.

To help families build this important safety habit, the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office is offering a free “Baby in the Back” hangtag. The visual reminder can be placed inside a vehicle to encourage drivers to check the back seat every time they reach their destination.

Families are encouraged to take additional precautions during periods of extreme heat:

A simple reminder can save a life. As temperatures remain high, Tennesseans are encouraged to stay vigilant, establish consistent vehicle-checking habits and help ensure every child arrives safely.

Grab your free “Baby in the Back” hangtag from the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office and make checking the back seat part of your routine.

For some families, traffic stops can be stressful. Some people communicate differently, use assistive devices, or may need additional time to understand or respond to directions. The Precious Cargo program helps provide law enforcement with helpful information before an interaction begins, supporting better communication and understanding.

The program is free, voluntary, and confidential. It can apply to both drivers and passengers, because parents, caregivers, legal guardians, and conservators may apply on behalf of someone in their care.

To enroll, complete the Precious Cargo application, have the medical section completed by a licensed medical professional, and submit the completed form to your local county clerk. 

To learn more, download an application, or view frequently asked questions, visit the Department of Revenue Precious Cargo website page available here: https://www.tn.gov/revenue/precious-cargo-program.html.

Access to reliable transportation can make it easier to get to work, school, medical appointments, grocery stores and other essential services. Tennesseans who receive public assistance may be eligible for free or reduced-cost transportation through their local public transit system.

Depending on where you live, public transit agencies may offer discounted fares or free transit passes for school-age children, older adults, people with disabilities and individuals or families who participate in income-based assistance programs. Eligibility requirements and available transportation options vary by transit provider.

In Davidson County, WeGo Public Transit offers the Journey Pass, which provides eligible participants with free access to WeGo public transportation. Individuals enrolled in qualifying programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and other income-based assistance programs, may be eligible.

Individuals interested in receiving a Journey Pass must register at one of WeGo's registration events, which are held at various locations throughout the month. Applicants should bring a photo ID and required verification documents to confirm eligibility. A complete list of acceptable documents and information about upcoming registration opportunities is available on the WeGo website here: https://www.wegotransit.com/journey-pass/.

Journey Pass rides are loaded onto a new QuickTicket card. Each Journey Pass must be registered using a participant’s name, valid date of birth, and phone number/email address. Once registered, you can ride for free for three years on: WeGo local and regional buses, WeGo Access (for riders with disabilities), WeGo Link (base fare only), and WeGo Star. Journey Pass does not cover WeGo Access On-Demand or Vanpool services.

Transportation programs do vary across Tennessee. Customers are encouraged to visit their local public transit provider's website or contact the agency directly to learn about available fares, reduced-cost programs and eligibility requirements.

What: Public Child Support Rulemaking Hearing

The Tennessee Department of Human Services will host a Child Support Guidelines Rulemaking Hearing on Tuesday, September 1st. The hearing is open to the public and may be attended either in person or virtually. For hearing details, including participation information, please see the link below located on the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website: TDHS Child Support Guidelines Notice of Rulemaking Hearing.

The current Child Support Guidelines are available here: https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1240/1240-02/1240-02-04.20211001.pdf

This information is also available on the TDHS website and the Child Support website.

When: September 1, 2026, 10:00am - 6:00pm CT

Where: Andrew Johnson Tower, First Floor Multi-Purpose Room 1.115

710 James Robertson Parkway

Nashville, TN 37243

Virtual link: https://tn.webex.com/tn/j.php?MTID=mf54bfe187f58d4eaa77605e3185e91fb

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: September 16, 2026, 11:0am – 12:00pm 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.

Office of General Counsel

Associate Counsel - HR           

Davidson County – 79953 (Closing Date 8/31/2026)

Rehabilitation Services

Field Supervisor 2   

Rutherford County – 80069 (Closing Date 8/31/2026)

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - Masters

Davidson County – 80066 (Closing Date 8/31/2026)    

Lewis County – 80711 (Closing Date 8/31/2026)

Madison County - 79863 (Closing Date 8/31/2026)  

Vocational Rehabilitation Career Training Specialist

Hamilton County – 79385 (Closing Date 8/31/2026)     

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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