Making Change Together
2024 TDC Policy Retreat

Ashlie Bell-Seibers - Director of Family Voices of Tennessee
Paid Family Caregiving Resolution
Background - TDC helped pass a resolution (non-binding) that directs TennCare to create a comprehensive, statewide paid family caregiving policy and program
How did this happen? How did Family Voices help families and the community engage in this process?
What happens next? How do we go there together?

Karen Harrison - Executive Director of TNSTEP
Education Issues:
Background: The TN General Assembly floated the idea of rejecting federal funding for special education - TDC and partners advocated against it
Background: Students with disabilities face various forms of informal removal from the educational space - TDC (and Rep White) requested a study from OREA of this practice
What was/is at stake in each of these efforts?
What are some possible ways to utilize the OREA report to advocate for change?

Gina Lynette - Executive Director of Empower Tennessee
Employment
Background: TDC helped pass the TennCare for Working Adults with Disabilities Act (Medicaid Buy-In)
Background: State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) accepted their full award from the federal government
What role do advocates and organizations play in addressing gaps and barriers in state-sponsored employment services?
What can this look like in advocating for improving the VR system?

Lauren Pearcy - Executive Director of the TN Council on Developmental Disabilities
Background: TDC and TCBA advocated for the establishment of a new Department of Disability and Aging to combine resources and expertise of the former DIDD and TCAD
What kind of opportunities does this create for disability and aging communities to partner and address the lifespan and systems of care?
What are future opportunities for advocacy in this space?