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.

As I take the time to reflect during this season of Thanksgiving, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the remarkable team at TDHS whose unwavering dedication breathes life into our mission each day. Your commitment goes beyond just administering a service – it’s a heartfelt endeavor that provides compassionate care, meeting our customers where they are and accompanying them on their journey beyond economic, social and developmental vulnerability.

We serve nearly two million Tennesseans statewide, and your dedication in delivering a diverse range of programs and services have had a significant impact on countless lives. It does not go unnoticed. Thanks to your efforts, our customers have the opportunity to lead safe, healthy, and economically stable lives. And personally, I appreciate your ongoing commitment to this selfless work.

In addition, I am equally grateful for our esteemed community partners whose collaboration is essential in ensuring our customers have the necessary resources they need to thrive. Your commitment to making a difference in our communities and for the families we serve is truly commendable.

As we move forward, let's continue this collaborative journey, working hand in hand, to cultivate positive change and create opportunities for growth and prosperity for all Tennesseans.

TDHS celebrates commencement ceremony of recent graduates from the APS Investigation Training Academy hosted in partnership with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

TDHS recently announced that the department will accept requests for replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) benefits stolen from households impacted by EBT card skimming, cloning, and similar fraud between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2024. The review period opened on November 6, 2023 and will close on September 30, 2024.

As of November 6, 2023, TDHS will accept and process households’ replacement requests within the One DHS Customer Portal at OneDHS.tn.gov. Customers that cannot access the online portal to submit a request can retrieve a paper form at their local TDHS office.

Only the following types of fraud are eligible for replacement:

All reports of skimming, cloning, or similar fraud will require confirmation from the customer verifying that all information reported in the request is true and correct. Customers who purposefully give false information may be prosecuted under applicable state and federal criminal laws. Customers may be contacted to provide further validation of their request.

Replacement requests may be denied in some cases in which there is insufficient evidence to support the request or the customer’s request for replacement is outside the allowed scope, including:

Only fraudulent transactions related to skimming, cloning or similar fraud (text and phone schemes) can be submitted through this process.

Customers can track their fraud replacement request status through their One DHS Customer Portal account, where they will also receive notification of the request outcome.

For more information on replacement benefits related to fraud, please visit https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/need-help-/tdhs-fraud.html. To report fraud, call the Office of Inspector General fraud hotline at 800-241-2629.

As the holiday season approaches, we urge you to check in on your neighbors, particularly vulnerable residents that may be susceptible to elder abuse.

The Adult Protective Services (APS) program investigates allegations of neglect, abuse, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. APS staff assess the need for protective services and connect individuals to services to reduce the identified risk to the adult.

Often times, people do not want to admit that they’re being abused, and 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. Elder abuse can take various forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as neglect and abandonment. 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.

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

The One DHS Customer Portal provides seamless functionality for customers. Features include:

To learn more about how customers can manage and track their cases using the One DHS Customer Portal, please review the video below.  

To visit the One DHS Customer Portal, click here.

Celebrate this Christmas at the Tennessee Residence

Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee are inviting Tennesseans to celebrate the Christmas season at the Tennessee Residence with the 2023 Christmas tours.

Beginning on Friday, December 1, Tennessee’s historic home will be decorated for Christmas in this year’s theme, “Heaven and Nature Sing.” The decorations will portray the larger-than-life magic experienced in the delight and merriment of the holiday season, the beauty of Tennessee’s natural landscapes, and the joy of the coming of Christ and the salvation of the world.

Christmas tours will be available Friday, December 1 – Sunday, December 3 and Thursday, December 7 – Sunday, December 10. All tours are self-guided, free to the public and require a reservation.  

To schedule a tour or for additional information, visit the Tennessee Residence website.

In addition, we urge Tennesseans to take the opportunity to give back this Christmas. In partnership with the First Lady’s Tennessee Serves initiative, the Governor and First Lady are continuing their Christmas tradition of encouraging guests to participate in giving back during the holiday season by bringing requested items to support the work of five select nonprofits from across the state.

This year’s nonprofits include Birthright of Memphis, Creative Aging Memphis, Dismas House, Jonathan’s Path and Sevier County Food Ministries.

Find a complete list of requested items to donate here.

The Tennessee Department of Veterans Services (TDVS) recently announced the launch of the Honor Guard Grant Program (HGGP). This program, mandated by legislation passed by the 113th General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Bill Lee, marks a decisive step towards recognizing and supporting the dedicated efforts of non-profit organizations committed to honoring Tennessee's Veterans.

The HGGP is a state-administered initiative that provides financial support to Tennessee Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs). The program's primary goal is to offset expenses incurred by VSOs in providing honor guard burial details at the funerals of qualifying Tennessee veterans. The program covers various expenses, including training, transportation, food, and equipment, ensuring our Veterans' dignity and respect are maintained during these services. 

The HGGP is primarily funded through appropriations by the Tennessee General Assembly. The program may also receive gifts, grants, and other donations. The legislative intent for the fiscal year 2023-2024 is an appropriation of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) for awarding grants from the fund. The allocation and disbursement are based on the availability of funding.

Organizations interested in applying for reimbursement can find comprehensive information and access the application at TN.gov/Veteran/HGGP. For further inquiries or assistance, please contact TDVS.Grants@TN.gov.

What: West TN Pre-ETS College Fair

Join the Region 9 Pre-Employment Transition Services team for the upcoming College Fair 2023, featuring higher education and financial aid resources for students with disabilities. Admission representatives from across Tennessee will be discussing disability support, course offerings, college life, and financial aid requirements. Come learn about different schools and get all your questions answered! This event is free and open to the public.

When: Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Central

Where: Benjamin L. Hooks Library, 3030 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN 38111

What: Community Resource Fair

The Vocational Rehabilitation Pre-Employment Transition Services team is hosting a Community Resource Fair for Tennesseans in the Decaturville area. Job seekers and community members are invited to connect with employers, find wellness supports, gain information, and enjoy local food trucks.

When: Tuesday, December 5, 2023, from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Where: Trinity Assembly of God Fellowship Hall, 1141 S. West Street Decaturville, TN 38329

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 the Tennessee State Government 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.

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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