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 we prepare to recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, I urge all Tennesseans to become familiar with the signs of elder abuse and take action to prevent and report any suspected mistreatment of vulnerable citizens. At the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), we are committed to empowering communities to protect the well-being and safety of older adults across our state.

In recent years, our Adult Protective Services (APS) program has led efforts to strengthen coordination among partners such as sister state agencies, state councils and commissions, law enforcement and legal authorities, and other organizations to combat elder abuse more efficiently.

Signs of 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. Help us keep our vulnerable neighbors safe and report suspected abuse at https://reportadultabuse.dhs.tn.gov/ or by calling 1-888-APS-TENN (1-888-277-8366).

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.

This program, also known as SUN Meals, aims to ensure children 18 and younger, who benefit from school meal programs, continue to have access to nutritious meals during the summer months. The program traditionally runs from the end of May to August when the next school year begins.

No application is required for summer meals available at most meal sites.

Tennessee families can use the USDA Summer Meals Site finder to search for SUN Meals or SUN Meals to-Go in their city or county. Use the button below to find a meal site using the USDA Meal Site Finder.

*Tennessee meal sites will be available in the Site Finder soon, as many are recently opening.

As TDHS continues to streamline its efforts to enhance the customer experience for applying for and accessing services, we are excited to rollout new updates to the One DHS Customer Portal. These improvements will expand the platform’s functionality to include reporting capabilities for our Adult Protective Services program and introduce a more user-friendly Child Support application. The goal is to strengthen the portal as a true one-stop destination for accessing all TDHS programs and services.

These updates are aligned with our ongoing commitment to deliver streamlined, accessible, and person-centered services to the individuals and families we serve. By integrating more programs into the portal and improving existing tools, we aim to reduce barriers, improve response times, and ensure that customers can connect with the help they need more efficiently.

More details will be available in the coming weeks as we roll out the new features through a gradual release beginning June 2.

On June 15th, the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) Adult Protective Services team will observe 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.

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.

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 or reporting online at https://reportadultabuse.dhs.tn.gov/.

Learn more about Adult Protective Services at https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/adults/adult-protective-services.html.

First Lady Maria Lee invites Tennessee students to participate in the seventh annual Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge!

The statewide challenge is open to elementary students from rising kindergarten to rising sixth grade. The challenge begins on Sunday, June 1, 2025 and concludes on Friday, August 1, 2025. To fulfill the challenge requirements, participants must complete a service activity from at least two of the eight service categories provided and a minimum of two service hours to complete the challenge.

The goal of the challenge is to instill in kids a heart for service and ask them to join the First Lady in devoting a small portion of their summer break to serving others. Since the challenge began in 2019, more than 3,000 kids across the state have participated, serving a total of 11,147 hours in their communities. Click here to learn more and register for the summer challenge.

All students who complete the challenge will receive a certificate of recognition signed by First Lady Maria Lee. Top challenge participants will be invited to join the Governor and First Lady for a carnival at the Tennessee Residence in September.

If you were impacted by Hurricane Helene, the Tennessee Department of Revenue has a Natural Disaster Sales Tax Relief program that can provide assistance to families in need.

If your primary residence is damaged or destroyed due to a natural disaster occurring in Tennessee, you may be entitled to a refund of up to $2500 for Tennessee sales and use tax paid on major appliances, residential furniture, or residential building supplies purchased after the disaster.

Only people who receive financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the repair, replacement, or construction of their primary home that was damaged or destroyed in a natural disaster may qualify for a refund.  To receive a refund, that affected person must file a claim with the Tennessee Department of Revenue. For more information, please visit: https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-and-use-tax/natural-disaster-sales-tax-relief.html.

Looking for ways to keep your child(ren) engaged in reading over the summer? You are not alone, and there are free resources available to help.

kidcentral tn, an online information hub for Tennessee families, offers a variety of literacy resources designed to support your child's reading development during summer break.

In addition to online resources, public libraries across Tennessee are offering free summer programs for children of all ages —from infants to teens, and even adults. These programs include group activities, interactive presentations, and team projects that make reading fun and collaborative.

Libraries also offer multigenerational programs, where families can learn together. In addition to traditional books, libraries support literacy in many formats, including: storytimes for emerging readers, books on tape or CD, audiobooks through the Libby app, and reading lists tracking through the READsquared. 

The Tennessee State Library and Archives also offers resources and support to help families create positive and lasting literacy experiences throughout the summer.

Whether online or in person, these programs aim to keep reading exciting, accessible, and part of Tennessee family’s everyday life.

What: Building Blocks of Employment

Job seekers with disabilities and other community members are invited to receive guidance and connect with resource organizations at a week-long employment counseling program. On the last day of learning, there will be a Job Club for attendees to receive professional assistance with their job search, strategies, resume and more!

This free event is open to the public and hosted by the Tennessee Department of Human Services’ Division of Rehabilitation Services. No materials or registration is required to attend.

When: June 2-6, 2025 from 10:00 am - 11:30 am CT

Where: Obion County Public Library

1221 E. Reelfoot Ave.

Union City, TN 38261

What: Computer Literacy Workshop

The Division of Rehabilitation Services is partnering with the American Job Center to help Hamilton County residents learn basic computer skills. This one-hour class is open to Tennesseans with disabilities and the general community.  Workshops will be held on the first Wednesday of each month, with Chattanooga Public Library staff on-site to assist.

When: June 4, 2025 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am ET

Where: American Job Center

5600 Brainerd Road

Chattanooga, TN 37411

What: 2025 CARES Conference

The annual CARES Conference on Aging focuses on best practices, enhancing job skills and elevating public awareness of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older and vulnerable adults. Hosted by the TDHS Adult Protective Services Program, and Tennessee State University, College of Public Service Center on Aging Research and Education Services (CARES), the free two-day event brings together nationally recognized experts and trainers who are focused on addressing challenges among aging Tennesseans and other community members who may have difficulty caring for themselves due to physical or psychological capacity. If you would like to attend, please register here.

When: June 11, 2025 11:30 am - 3:00 pm CT and June 12, 2025 9:00 am - 3:00 pm CT

Where: Tennessee State University Avon Williams Campus

330 10th Ave. N.

Nashville, TN 37203

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: June 18, 2025 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm 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.

Child Care and Community Services

APS Investigative Specialist 1*
Shelby County – 67778 (Closing Date 6/2/2025)

DHS Licensing Consultant 1*
Bradley County – 67914 (Closing Date 6/2/2025)

DHS Program Specialist
Statewide – 68013 (2) (Closing Date 6/2/2025)

Family Assistance and Child Support

DHS Child Support Re-Entry Coordinator    
Davidson County – 67818 (2) (Closing Date 6/2/2025)

Eligibility Assistant
Decatur County – 67943 (Closing Date 6/2/2025)

Rehabilitation Services

Executive Administrative Assistant 1
Davidson County – 67972 (Closing Date 6/2/2025)

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor – Masters
Coffee County – 67910 (Closing Date 6/2/2025) 
Madison County – 67947 (Closing Date 6/2/2025)   

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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