Disability Information and Referral
DD Planning and Policy Councils
In 2002, TDMHSAS began to tailor its planning to the requirements specified in the 2000 revisions of mental health law, Title 33. Title 33 requires a structured planning process with three levels: a statewide TDMHSAS Planning and Policy Council, a State Developmental Disabilities Planning and Policy Council and one for Mental Health, and DD and MH Regional Councils. At least a majority of the State Council membership and each of the seven regional councils must be comprised of current or former service recipients or their family members.
The purpose of the Statewide TDMHSAS Planning and Policy Council is to assist in planning a comprehensive service system and to advise the department on policy, budget requests, legislation, operation of the department’s programs and facilities, and evaluation of services and supports. Five of the seventeen members must be immediate or past members of a State DD Planning Council, two of whom must be service recipients or their family members.
The State DD Planning and Policy Council advises the statewide TDMHSAS Planning and Policy Council on TDMHSAS’s three-year plan and also provides information and advice to the department on policy, formulation of budget requests and development and evaluation of services and supports.
The Regional Planning and Policy Councils advise the DD Planning and Policy Council, at the grass-roots level, on TDMHSAS’s three-year plan, and also provide information and advice to the department on policy, formulation of budget requests and development and evaluation of services and supports. To view a map of the planning regions, click here.
If you are interested in becoming a member of a DD Planning and Policy Council, e-mail Debbie.Shahla@tn.gov
