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 am excited to announce that we are getting close to our inaugural "Amplifying Fatherhood" Conference, scheduled to take place September 25-27 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. The event is FREE and open to all Tennesseans.

The heart of this conference lies in our mission to spotlight the indispensable role fathers play in the health and well-being of their children, families, and our beloved Tennessee community. With a focus on fostering positive family dynamics, we'll delve into vital subjects such as family relationships, paternity establishment, child support, healthy co-parenting, and nurturing economic well-being.

This conference will bolster our efforts to make a significant impact by raising awareness and promoting the ongoing efforts in the field of social services and other related programs serving fathers. The event is tailored to a diverse audience, encompassing thought leaders and practitioners from various spheres including policymakers, state agencies, community-based programs, and more.

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 children, families, communities, and the whole of TN.

We invite you to be part of this transformative experience. Let's come together to celebrate fatherhood, forge connections, and champion the wellbeing of our families. If interested, please click this link to register and learn more.

TDHS celebrates graduates at the Tennessee Government Executive Institute (TGEI). 

Commissioner Cater recognizes and presents Excellence Awards to TDHS staff members who consistently demonstrate excellent customer service to those we serve. 

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services recently announced the 10th anniversary celebration of Project SEARCH in Nashville and ongoing opportunities for employers and students to participate in this nationally acclaimed model. The Project SEARCH program offers transition services to high school students and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help them into employment through hands-on training and internships. With Tennessee currently ranked among the top five states within the U.S. in recognition to the Project SEARCH graduation outcome, securing a 97% post-graduation employment rate with wages at a minimum of $12/hour and working an average of 26+ hours/week, TDHS is working to increase the reach of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services and connect more Tennesseans with disabilities to employment and educational opportunities by forging new community partnerships.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services are available to Tennesseans with disabilities who desire a job that is integrated and at fair wages consistent with their strengths, capabilities, and interests. Within the VR services umbrella are programs like Project SEARCH, Transition School-to-Work Services, Business Employment Services, and individualized services to connect people with disabilities to work opportunities in their local community.

The Project SEARCH Program is a one-year employment preparation program that takes place entirely at the workplace, with a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations. The program culminates in individualized job development, offering high school students between ages 17-22, and adults beyond high school, with intellectual and developmental disabilities unique opportunities to practice communication skills, receive support from skilled job trainers, and to gain employment in their communities using the skills they learned after the program concludes.

For more information about Project SEARCH or VR opportunities within your region of the state, please visit the Tennessee Department of Human Services website here.

TDHS has reached a major milestone in the department’s modernization journey, impacting the departments largest audience of customers to date. Over the past several months, TDHS has launched pilot operations of the Eligibility Benefits Management System, and the One DHS Customer Portal to revolutionize how we serve our customers. The One DHS Customer Portal now provides even more seamless functionality for customers. Major updates 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.

This month, the department celebrated Child Support Awareness by providing Tennessee families with valuable resources to educate them on the facts related to child support.

The Child Support Program provides services that promote parental responsibility to meet the financial needs of children. As a part of the TDHS vision to empower families by building engagement and resources for fathers, the department has identified valuable supportive services available for fathers and families provided by the Federal Administration for Children & Families here.

If you feel the Child Support Program would be beneficial to you and you would like to apply online or to speak with a child support professional, click Child Support Offices to find your local office.  Staff will be glad to answer any questions you may have regarding the program. Frequently asked questions regarding the Child Support Program can be found here. 

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. 

Governor Lee recently announced that Tennesseans will have the opportunity to save during the state’s three-month grocery tax suspension, starting August 1 through October 31. 

This year, Governor Lee and the General Assembly passed the Tennessee Works Tax Act, the single largest tax cut in Tennessee history, which includes the three-month grocery tax suspension. During the tax holiday, Tennesseans are expected to save an estimated $273 million in taxes total.

The three-month grocery tax holiday will give Tennesseans the opportunity to save up to 6.75 percent in state and local option sales tax on food and food ingredients. Tennesseans can learn more about the tax holiday here.

Tennessee Serves: August Service Challenge

Tennesseans living with intellectual and developmental disabilities can face lifelong challenges, and Tennessee Serves is working this month to help empower both children and adults with special needs.

Find ways you can make an impact on neighbors with disabilities here.

Additional Volunteer Opportunities

BrightStone

BrightStone in Middle Tennessee provides lifelong learning and work programs along with residential opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.

Sertoma

Sertoma of Knoxville serves individuals with disabilities to help them achieve their fullest potential through residential experiences, community interactions, employment and job skills training.

SRVS

SRVS supports thousands of individuals with disabilities in the Mid-South through employment and residential programs, children's services, as well as participation in community activities, family support and more.

The "Be the One” initiative began in the State of Tennessee as a suicide prevention campaign for co-workers. It is based on the idea that colleagues can help build a supportive workforce which values and affirms life.

The "Be the One” training teaches how to recognize when someone you know may be thinking about suicide.  It teaches how to ask the question directly and offers tips on how to develop good listening skills, a key component of suicide prevention.

The “Be the One” training provides tools that instill hope when someone you know seems to have lost all hope.

Three key components of the campaign:

1. Provides suicide awareness and social marketing strategies by providing information regarding suicide and serves as a reminder that suicide can happen at any time to anyone

2. Teaches participants how to recognize when someone may be thinking about suicide, how to ask the question directly and offers tips on how to develop good listening skills, which is a key component of suicide prevention

3. Provides postvention suggestions in the event a suicide occurs to someone in the workforce

 Click here for more information and access to training resources.

Secretary of State’s Office is Offering Free Baby in the Back Hangtags

The Secretary of State’s office is offering free Baby in the Back hangtags to help prevent heat-related child deaths in cars. The hangtags serve as visual reminders to parents, caregivers, and others to check the backseat before leaving a vehicle unattended.

With these especially hot temperatures, childcare providers are encouraged to request these free life-saving hangtags by visiting sos.tn.gov/requesthangtags.

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: Safe Clinic Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Center of Hope is so excited to announce the opening of it’s SAFE Clinic (Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Clinic) in Maury County. This clinic will focus on serving Maury, Giles, Lawrence and Wayne counties. 

The clinic will be available to anyone age 16 and up who has experienced rape or sexual assault in the last 120 hours.  If the victim would like a rape kit, trained SANE nurses will collect the evidence for the kit and advocates will be available with resources/help. Center for Hope is partnering with a local medical office as well as Maury Regional Medical Center.  

When: September 14, 2023, at 10am

Refreshments will be provided beginning at 9:30am

Where: Center of Hope Office  
110 E. 7th Street
Columbia, TN 38401

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 and families.

When: September 25-27, 2023

Where: Gaylord Opryland Hotel
2800 Opryland Drive,
Nashville, TN 37214

If you are interested in attending, please register here.

Executive Service Job Postings

Office of Inspector General
DHS Director of Program Integrity
Davidson County – 49286 (Closing Date 8/30/2023)

Preferred Service Job Postings

Child Care and Community Services
APS Investigative Specialist 1*
Maury County – 49230 (Closing Date 9/6/2023)

Rehabilitation Instructor - Blind*
Madison County – 49315 (Closing Date 9/6/2023)

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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