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.

On the heels of celebrating Father’s Day this month, we are delighted to announce that TDHS has launched a groundbreaking Fatherhood Grant Program that will invest approximately $10 million dollars to support public, private, and nonprofit organizations serving fathers.

Nationally, fathers have been quietly erased from the public policy framework, and in Tennessee we are on a mission to change that. Our primary goal is to establish a robust public policy framework that recognizes the vital role fathers play in a child's holistic development. We firmly believe that the active involvement of both parents is not only crucial for children and families but also for the well-being of communities and the entire state of Tennessee.

This new grant program will specifically provide funding support to organizations or institutions that have a targeted focus of delivering fatherhood-related programs including mentorship, educational and co-parenting support, skill-building workshops, employment services, and financial literacy.

If you are interested in applying for this grant opportunity, applications will be accepted until Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 5:00 PM Central Time. More detail, including an application instructional video and templates are available on the Tennessee Department of Human Services website.

We hope that you will support us on this journey to empower fathers and families across Tennessee.

Learn more about the work we are doing at the department and listen below to a recent interview I completed with host John Clark for the Tennessee Matters podcast.

♫ TN Matters - Fatherhood & TN Dept. of Human Services (iheart.com)

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has opened its call for applications for the 2024 Families First Community Grant Program, an initiative that will make available approximately $5 million in funding to non-profit organizations providing direct services to strengthen Tennessee families in need and promote self-sufficiency. Qualifying non-profit organizations are invited to apply here through July 10 at 5 p.m. CST. 

TDHS encourages all community-based, non-profit organizations ready to play a central role in the design and implementation of programs that address the unique problems of low-income families in their communities and fosters at least one of the federal TANF goals to submit an application for a Families First Community Grant. The department is focused on partnering with organizations that can provide family-focused solutions that demonstrate measurable impacts designed with the goal of transforming Tennessee’s safety net by growing the capacity of vulnerable families to self-sufficiency and economic prosperity.

On June 15th, the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) Adult Protective Services team observed 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 https://reportadultabuse.dhs.tn.gov/.

In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education, the Tennessee Department of Human Services has launched the Summer EBT Program for the 2023-24 academic school year.

Summer EBT is a new supplemental nutrition benefit program that provides families $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out. Eligible students will receive Summer EBT benefits beginning June 14, 2024. Most families will get these benefits automatically if their child is enrolled in the National School Lunch Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Families First (TANF), and/or TennCare, but some parents will need to apply. The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) will distribute Summer EBT benefits based on records provided by the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), school districts, and through funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service.

Summer EBT Eligibility

Tennessee children may qualify for Summer EBT through:

*Tennessee's compulsory school age is 6-17.  Children outside of Tennessee's compulsory school age cannot be automatically approved for Summer EBT through SNAP, Families First, or TennCare participation and must file a Summer EBT application.

**Students who attended Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools and receive free breakfast/free lunch without filing a NSLP application cannot be automatically approved for Summer EBT. These families must file a Summer EBT application and meet income guidelines.

Summer EBT benefits will be provided on a new EBT card and can be used to buy groceries after the card has been activated. The new Summer EBT card will be mailed to the eligible child’s home based on current school records. 

Parents can log in to the Summer EBT Parent Portal at https://onedhs.tn.gov/parent to view Summer EBT benefits, link their child(ren), verify or change address, and sign up to receive text message notifications.

If a parent or guardian has questions that are not answered through the Summer EBT website or Summer EBT Parent Portal, they may call One DHS Customer Service at 833-772-TDHS (8347) for assistance.

What: Putnam County Job Club    

Job Club is an opportunity for job seekers with disabilities to share experiences and build job-ready skills on their way to competitive employment. The Division of Rehabilitation Services  (DRS) and its Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program organize and host Job Club events at no cost to Tennessee workers with disabilities.

VR staff work with participants on job search tactics, employment planning, and related topics during each meeting. Job Club sessions are also a great opportunity for Tennessee workers with disabilities to explore the Vocational Rehabilitation program and start the referral process.

When: July 2, 2024 10am-11am CST

Where: Community Tennessee Rehabilitation Center
955 E. 20th Street Cookeville, TN 38501

What: Transition Tuesday   

The Transition Services Team is hosting a series of virtual presentations to help students who are deafblind and other adolescents with disabilities. These sessions will focus on resources and options for life after high school. Students with disabilities, parents, providers, and advocates are invited to join and bring questions to these virtual sessions happening on the first Tuesday of each month.   

When: July 2-3, 2024 3:30pm-4:30pm CST

Where: Available Online

What: Hamilton County Computer Literacy Workshop

The Division of Rehabilitation Services is partnering with the American Job Center to help Hamilton County residents learn basic computer skills. Community members are invited to attend one-hour workshops held on the third Wednesday of the month.

When: July 17, 2024 at 10am-11am EST 

Where: American Job Center
5600 Brainerd Road Suite A-5 Chattanooga, TN 37411

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, 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: July 25, 2024 4:30pm-5:30pm CST

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

DHS Program Specialist
Davidson County – 58825 (Closing Date 7/1/2024)

Eligibility Assistant
Lauderdale County – 58746 (Closing Date 7/1/2024)
Lewis County – 58872 (Closing Date 7/1/2024)

Eligibility Counselor 1*
Carter County – 58827 (Closing Date 7/1/2024)
Humphreys County – 58745 (Closing Date 7/1/2024)

Rehabilitation Services

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor – Masters
Shelby County – 58928 (Closing Date 7/1/2024)

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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