Resources on Katie Beckett Program Design
On May 24th, 2019, Governor Bill Lee signed legislation to create a Katie Beckett Program into law in Tennessee.
A Katie Beckett Program will establish a pathway to Medicaid and essential wraparound home-and community-based services for children (under age 18) at home, whose condition qualifies them for institutional care, regardless of parent income and resources.
On May 24th, 2019, Governor Bill Lee signed legislation to create a Katie Beckett Program into law in Tennessee.
A Katie Beckett Program will establish a pathway to Medicaid and essential wraparound home-and community-based services for children (under age 18) at home, whose condition qualifies them for institutional care, regardless of parent income and resources.
A Future with More Assistive and Accessible Technology
Evan Espey enjoys cheering at sporting events, spending time with his nieces and volunteering for political campaigns. He also plays on a basketball team that tours the Southeast United States, racing across the gym floors in a wheelchair alongside his teammates.
Evan Espey enjoys cheering at sporting events, spending time with his nieces and volunteering for political campaigns. He also plays on a basketball team that tours the Southeast United States, racing across the gym floors in a wheelchair alongside his teammates.
Invisible Illness in the Workplace
May is an important month for employees who have invisible illnesses! There are several groups in the disability community that celebrate an awareness month in May. During these 30 days, the disability community works to spread awareness around these invisible diseases:
May is an important month for employees who have invisible illnesses! There are several groups in the disability community that celebrate an awareness month in May. During these 30 days, the disability community works to spread awareness around these invisible diseases:
A Late Diagnosis that Led to Powerful Advocacy
At one and a half years of age, Desean started to lose his hearing, but the diagnosis that he had hearing loss did not come until he was almost five. During this time, he made up his own language to communicate with his family. Because he was not diagnosed until later, he also lost out on tremendously important early intervention services that would have benefitted Desean as he began to move into his early school years.
At one and a half years of age, Desean started to lose his hearing, but the diagnosis that he had hearing loss did not come until he was almost five. During this time, he made up his own language to communicate with his family. Because he was not diagnosed until later, he also lost out on tremendously important early intervention services that would have benefitted Desean as he began to move into his early school years.
2019 Legislative Session Wrap Up
We are extremely thankful to announce the passage and funding of the Katie Beckett bill! $27.3 million was allocated to fund this bill and support children with long-term disabilities or complex medical needs whose family incomes have prevented them from qualifying for TennCare. The Katie Beckett program will create a dedicated pathway for children to access TennCare and other home- and community-based services (HCBS) to help keep them healthy and their families together.
We are extremely thankful to announce the passage and funding of the Katie Beckett bill! $27.3 million was allocated to fund this bill and support children with long-term disabilities or complex medical needs whose family incomes have prevented them from qualifying for TennCare. The Katie Beckett program will create a dedicated pathway for children to access TennCare and other home- and community-based services (HCBS) to help keep them healthy and their families together.
Becoming Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee
At the age of two, Cyndi Leach contracted the polio virus and as a result, became paralyzed from the waist down. However, Cyndi does not remember anything other than living with the effects of polio. She views her disability as part of who she is and has always found alternative ways to approach her goals.
At the age of two, Cyndi Leach contracted the polio virus and as a result, became paralyzed from the waist down. However, Cyndi does not remember anything other than living with the effects of polio. She views her disability as part of who she is and has always found alternative ways to approach her goals.
House Budget Includes Funding for Katie Beckett Bill
Big news! The House Finance Committee has passed their version of the state budget—which includes $27 million funding for the Katie Beckett bill! We are so grateful to the House Leadership, Sponsor Representative Sam Whitson and Representative Matthew Hill for championing this legislation. We anticipate that the House of Representatives will pass their version of the budget in their session tomorrow morning.
Big news! The House Finance Committee has passed their version of the state budget—which includes $27 million funding for the Katie Beckett bill! We are so grateful to the House Leadership, Sponsor Representative Sam Whitson and Representative Matthew Hill for championing this legislation. We anticipate that the House of Representatives will pass their version of the budget in their session tomorrow morning.
Potential Impact of Education Savings Account Proposal
Today the House of Representatives voted 50-48 for Governor Bill Lee’s Education Savings Account (ESA) proposal after three hours of debate. The Senate plans to vote on its version of the legislation on Thursday.
Tennessee Disability Coalition Statement on the Education Savings Account proposal
Today the House of Representatives voted 50-48 for Governor Bill Lee’s Education Savings Account (ESA) proposal after three hours of debate. The Senate plans to vote on its version of the legislation on Thursday.
Tennessee Disability Coalition Statement on the Education Savings Account proposal
Support a Katie Beckett Program Template
Finding Community in Middle Tennessee
Valerie moved to Tennessee in 2016 to be closer to her extended family and was pleased to find a vibrant Down syndrome community to support her daughter Ella, as well as her whole family.
Valerie moved to Tennessee in 2016 to be closer to her extended family and was pleased to find a vibrant Down syndrome community to support her daughter Ella, as well as her whole family.
