Disability Information and Referral

Disability Resources

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder for Families Seeking Disability Resources

Many Tennessee agencies provide disability information and referral services. The Council on Developmental Disabilities worked with the John F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development at Vanderbilt University to create an internet community for families seeking disability resources. A few clicks on the free website http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/tnpathfinder/ can locate disability information in each Tennessee county and explore Tennessee’s many organizations offering essential services, information and networking opportunities. In addition, information and referral services are available in English and in Spanish from the Tennessee Disability Information and Referral Office by calling toll-free l-800-640-INFO (4636).

State Agencies Providing Services to People with Disabilities

Although DMHDD has the responsibility for playing a leadership role in the development of services for people with developmental disabilities, many other state agencies play important roles in meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities.

The Council on Developmental Disabilities provides funding for the Tennessee Disability Information and Referral System, including an internet community for families seeking disabilities resources: http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/tnpathfinder/.

The Department of Health is the lead agency for the Children’s Special Services Program, and includes a medical services component, a care coordination component, and a parent network component, which serves children from ages birth to age twenty-one (21). The Department of Health is also the lead agency for the Traumatic Brain Injury Program and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services.

The Division of Mental Retardation Services (DMRS), within the Department of Finance and Administration, administers mental retardation services and the Family Support Program (FSP). Currently, people with either a developmental disability or severe disability are eligible for services through the FSP. Support services in this program include, but are not limited to, respite care, personal assistant services, child care, homemaker services, minor home and vehicular modifications, specialized equipment, transportation services and health-related costs not otherwise covered. For further information regarding the program, click on the link above.

The Division of Special Education in the Department of Education oversees the provision of special education services made available to children with disabilities by local education agencies. Children with disabilities are entitled by Federal Law to receive services necessary to provide a free, appropriate education in the least restrictive environment.

The Office of Early Childhood Programs, within the Division of Special Education of the Department of Education, serves as the lead agency for Tennessee’s Early Intervention System (TEIS), a network of nine district offices that access early intervention services statewide through collaborative agreements with the following state agencies: Division of Mental Retardation Services, Department of Education, Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Department of Health, and Department of Human Services. A Parent’s Guide to TEIS is available on the agency’s website.

The Department of Finance and Administration administers the TennCare Program. TennCare contracts with managed care organizations and behavioral health organizations to provide medically necessary services to those individuals enrolled in TennCare. The TennCare Children’s Page provides information about the early screening benefits paid by TennCare. The Long-term Care Division page provides contact information for people in need of long-term care.

The TennCare Partners Program administers behavioral health benefits for people of all ages. TennCare contracts with behavioral health organizations to provide medically necessary behavioral health services to those enrolled in TennCare.

The Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities guides the planning process for DD services and provides funding for the Tennessee Respite Network.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services is the lead agency for Adult Protective Services, Disability Determination, Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the Tennessee Technology Access Project. Vocational Rehabilitation Services provides services to people with disabilities seeking employment as well as students with disabilities transitioning from school to work.

The Department of Children’s Services provides information and assistance to individuals caring for children with disabilities who are at risk of entering state custody, who are in state custody, or who are eligible for adoption.

The Commission on Aging and Disability is the lead agency for the OPTIONS for Community Living Program and the Older Americans Act Program. They also administer a Statewide Home and Community-Based Service Waiver (HCBS) that serves the elderly and persons with disabilities. This Waiver is intended to provide a community-based, cost-effective alternative to institutional nursing facility care for individuals who are eligible for level 1 nursing home care. The Commission on Aging and Disability serves as the administrative lead agency for the Waiver, which is administered under the supervision of the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of TennCare. For further information regarding the Statewide Home and Community-Based Service Waiver, please click on the link above or call the following toll-free number:
1-866-836-6678.

Other Disability Resources
Please click here to view TennHelp Resource Listings by county.
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