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 thrilled to share the exciting news that the Tennessee Department of Human Services has unveiled a fresh mission and vision statement that will propel us toward our mission to transform Tennessee's safety net. Our mission is simple yet powerful: "Strengthen Tennessee by Strengthening Tennesseans."

Our vision is equally inspiring: "To revolutionize the customer experience by growing capacity to reduce dependency." These statements reflect our unwavering belief that our state thrives when every citizen has the opportunity to be safe, well, and economically stable. It also highlights our dedicated commitment as a human services agency to help Tennesseans achieve these aspirations in tangible and measurable ways.

At the core of our mission, we are driven to empower Tennesseans to overcome their vulnerabilities to reach a place of wholeness and economic sufficiency. We believe that together we can build a brighter future for our great state, and we look forward to working with you to achieve this goal.

To gain further insight into why this mission is so vital and what motivates our TDHS staff members to pursue this work each day, I invite you to watch the video below.

As a part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), TDHS’ Division of Rehabilitation Services hosted its annual Resource Ability Assistive Technology Access Fair to connect educators, employers, practitioners, and individuals with disabilities to assistive technology.

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is pleased to announce that the Division of Rehabilitation Services’ Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program has partnered with CVS Health to offer a Pre-Apprenticeship Program in pharmacy technician through its Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Smyrna, TN. The program is currently available to students enrolled in the center through the VR program and is designed to integrate academic and technical classroom instruction with part-time work experience, offering Tennesseans with disabilities an opportunity to reach competitive, integrated employment in their communities of choice.

The CVS Health Pre-Apprenticeship Program combines coursework, professional mentorship, and structured training in pharmacy technician to prepare individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to enter and excel in a registered apprenticeship program. Once participants complete the pre-apprenticeship program, participants will be able to interview with an employer to enter a registered apprenticeship program leading to gainful employment. 

In addition, vocational rehabilitation services are available to all 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.

For more information about VR services and resources within your region of the state, please visit the Tennessee Department of Human Services website at https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/ds/vocational-rehabilitation.html or call (833) 772-TDHS (8347).

As part of the commitment to improve affordable child care services for Tennesseans across the state, the department has taken significant steps to bolster child care access for families in need. Recently, the department announced that beginning October 1, 2023, a majority of licensed child care agencies participating in the Child Care Certificate Program will receive increased reimbursement rates. Under the Child Care Certificate program, the state pays a reimbursement rate directly to child care providers on behalf of families who are enrolled and meet the income and work or education requirements of the program.

To further address deficits in capacity, the department also updated a comprehensive mapping of child care deserts in partnership with the University of Tennessee - Social Work Office of Research and Public Service. This mapping has identified areas with a deficit of 250+ child care slots to meet the demand of children under age 6 with all parents in the labor force. These findings will result in adjustments to the counties identified that will receive the 15% Child Care Desert reimbursement rate differential.

While also recognizing the higher costs associated with infant and toddler care, TDHS introduced a 15% Infant/Toddler differential to incentivize child care agencies offering this essential service and expanding access for families in need.

For more information on the reimbursement rate adjustments and other child care assistance programs, please visit the TDHS website at https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/child-care-services/child-care-payment-assistance.html.

Also, please review the recent TDHS interview completed with Nashville's NewsChannel 5 for more information.

Last month, the Tennessee Department of Human Services hosted the inaugural Amplifying Fatherhood Conference. We hosted over 300 in-person and virtual attendees, 10 exhibitors, and provided over 34 fatherhood-focused sessions. Whether you were in attendance or are interested to hear more about the conference and TDHS’s fatherhood launch, the recordings from the conference are now available here. Recordings include the presentations from our keynote speakers, each of the four panels held throughout the conference, and the live podcast session. We also have archived plenary session presentation materials.

It was incredible to experience the dedication to fathers amongst those from Tennessee and those that traveled from across the nation, and we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude for helping us amplify fatherhood.

We are excited to announce that the division of Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program, Independent Living Services (IL), and Tennessee Technology Access Program (TTAP) can now be reached using the streamlined One DHS Customer Service number 833-772-TDHS (8347).

When a person calls 833-772-TDHS (8347), Service Center Agents will provide general information and answer questions about programs and services. If the Agent is unable to assist, the caller is quickly sent to a team member specifically dedicated to handling rehabilitation services calls.

In addition, TDHS customer service support can also be accessed via an online webform located on the TDHS website 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. 

Tennessee Serves: October Service Challenge

Tennessee’s rural communities are the backbone of our state, and when rural Tennessee succeeds, all of Tennessee succeeds. Since launching in 2019, Tennessee Serves has placed an enhanced focus on serving rural Tennesseans, particularly those who reside in the state’s federally distressed counties.

Throughout the month of October, Tennessee Serves has continued its commitment to rural communities by supporting rural Tennessee and empowering them to thrive. Great strides have been made in increasing opportunities and improving the quality of life for Tennesseans in these areas of the state, but there still remains work to do.

Please join in by helping meet the needs of our neighbors in rural communities by finding ways to get started here.

The federal government has given its approval for Tennessee to become the first state to offer early intervention services to children until they reach school age.

The Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) will give eligible families the option to receive services until the start of the school year following the child’s fifth birthday. This is the full age range allowed for early intervention services through Part C of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

TEIS is a voluntary program that offers therapy and other services to infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities. It is provided to children and families at no cost. TEIS provided services to approximately 17,990 children in fiscal year 2023.

Learn more about TEIS here: https://www.tn.gov/didd/for-consumers/tennessee-early-intervention-system-teis.html.

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: November 8, 2023, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm Central and November 9, 2023, from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm Central

Where: Virtual Event (Please click this link to register.)

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

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 below and on the Tennessee State Government website.

Child Care and Community Service

APS Investigative Specialist 1*
Shelby County - 51700 (Closing Date 11/8/2023)

DHS Program Specialist
Davidson County - 51701 (Closing Date 11/1/2023)

Family Assistance

Admin Secretary
Weakley County - 51620 (Closing Date 11/1/2023)

Eligibility Assistant
Sevier County - 51547 (Closing Date 11/1/2023)
Shelby County - 51699 (Closing Date 11/1/2023)

Eligibility Counselor 1*

Bledsoe County - 51550 (Closing Date 11/8/2023)
Jefferson County - 51629 (Closing Date 11/1/2023)
Shelby County - 51638 (11) (Closing Date 11/8/2023)
Union County - 51602 (2) (Closing Date 11/8/2023)
Carroll County - 51354 (Closing Date 11/1/2023)
Hamilton County - 51349 (Closing Date 11/1/2023)

Rehabilitation Services

Vocational Behavioral Instructor

Rutherford County - 51609 (Closing Date 11/1/2023)

Vocational Rehabilitation Case Manager

Rutherford County - 51534 (2) (Closing Date 11/1/2023)

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - Masters

Davidson County - 51545 (Closing Date 11/1/2023)

 

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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