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WEST TN SEATING & POSITIONING CLINIC

What makes the Seating & Positioning Clinic special? Creation, Collaboration and Comfort!

Clinicians and Medical Equipment Fabricators in West Tennessee are dedicated to providing seating and positioning solutions that provide comfort and support healthy bodily functions for Tennesseans of all ages. Eating, sleeping, showering and living in a comfortable position can change a life!

Learn More: https://bit.ly/4dJarkV

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MTRO PERSON CENTERED THINKING TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT

Person Centered Thinking supports strategic planning and creates a framework of sustainability by training state and regional office staff. The process supports decision-making through data collection and analysis, as well as leadership development for self-advocates. Please join us for our upcoming PCT training on May 21st & 22nd!

How do I sign up?

Please email Tammie Browning at Tammie.Browning@tn.gov to register for PCT training. Additionally, you may follow this link to learn more about Regional Training offered in your area.

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SAVE THE DATE: 2025 ENABLING TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION SUMMIT

Please be invited to mark your calendars for this year's Enabling Technology and Innovation Summit November 12 - 13. The theme for this year is "Architects of Innovation" and more information will be shared in the coming weeks. 

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SAVE THE DATE: 2025 ENABLING TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION SUMMIT

Please be invited to mark your calendars for this year's Enabling Technology and Innovation Summit November 12 - 13. The theme for this year is "Architects of Innovation" and more information will be shared in the coming weeks. 

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DDA AT WORK

"A huge motivator for me is having a Commissioner that has tremendous faith and demonstrates that in everything he does. If you join DDA you will be joining a pipeline of leaders that make it their mission to enable people to exercise their own life choices and fully participate in community life.”

Kimberly Lawrence is always learning. As a regional nurse educator with the Department of Disability & Aging for 20 years, she knows that an opportunity to grow, learn, and collaborate with regional leaders is never wasted. On any given day, Kimberly is managing medication administration, coordinating nursing teams, and facilitating communication between the department and East Tennessee agencies. Her patient and professional manner is celebrated, and she’s always available to anyone on her team looking for guidance. 

Kimberly is a grandmother of five and has recently discovered the beauty of our National Parks – she’s already visited 16 of them! She finds motivation and purpose in her work with the Department of Disability & Aging and we’re grateful that she’s making a difference every day for the people we serve. DDA is thankful to have Kimberly on our team to improve the lives of older adults and Tennesseans with disabilities every day. 

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WEST TIME FOR TEAMING

Our TEIS team kicked off their regional Time for Teaming events in our west Tennessee region this week! This year’s theme was "Building Resilience." It was a great way to highlight the importance of safeguarding personal wellness while tackling the crucial work of meaningfully supporting families. A special thanks goes out to our keynote speaker, Allison Cooke Douglas, Resource Center Program Director at Harmony Family in Knoxville, TN, who shared insights on the power of resilience in overcoming the challenges of childhood adversity. It was amazing to see so many team members engaged, collaborating, and having an overall great time! 

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DDA AT INTERNATIONAL SEATING SYMPOSIUM 

Sharing our SUCCESS with the WORLD!

Clinicians from the East Seating & Positioning Clinic presented on the Mobile Clinic this spring at the International Seating Symposium, which hosted the world’s largest educational conference and exhibition featuring wheelchairs and related assistive technologies.

Danielle Osborne MS, OTR/L and Estelle Strydom OTR/L, shared with industry professionals how the Mobile Clinic is able to serve Tennesseans with seating and positioning needs in the East Tennessee. We're so proud of the Seating & Positioning Team, and the extraordinary work you do to support Tennesseans of all ages!

To learn more about Seating & Positioning, click here.

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CLOSING OUT AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

We closed out April by highlighting a young advocate we could all learn something from! William Rose is an 8-year-old with Autism in Knox County. He uses his voice to advocate for others with disabilities, especially in the school setting!

"I don't want kids to be going through all that stuff like I did. I'm the person over here trying to keep them out of this. I just want people to feel more safe when they have Autism." - William Rose

Thank you, William, for sharing your story and inspiring so many people!

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DDA REM INVESTIGATIONS FOLLOW-UP WEBSITE UPDATE

The DDA Investigations Follow-Up (IFU) Unit is responsible for reviewing investigation reports submitted by DDA Investigators and Provider Investigators to ensure effective responses to events involving harm or risk of harm to persons supported. IFU has made some exciting updates to the REM website to better assist provider agencies with submission of Action Plans and gain a better understanding of the IFU process. We have included a highlighted version of the One REM System Protocol, One Reportable Event Management System Definitions (to assist providers in better understanding the One REM System Protocol), An Example Action Plan which includes instructions and acceptable/unacceptable responses, and three (3) Example Letters to Perpetrators notifying them of the outcome of investigations. These new tools and contact information for the IFU team can be accessed here.

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MAPs - PROVIDER AGENCY REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Attention All Providers!

We are thrilled to announce the opening of applications for the Medicaid Alternative Pathways to Independence (MAPs) program! As we continue to expand our provider network to meet the increasing demand for MAPs services, we invite organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in Employment Supports, Enabling Technology, and Person-Centered Practices to step forward and apply.

Why Apply?

The MAPs program has successfully enrolled over 600 individuals on the journey to supporting a remarkable 1,250 individuals during this version of MAPs. This is a unique opportunity for your organization to play a pivotal role in transforming the lives of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD). By participating, you can contribute to their pathways towards greater independence through three years of dedicated support tailored to their chosen milestones.

Key Components of the RFA:

To ensure a comprehensive application, all submissions must address each component outlined in the RFA. Furthermore, organizations that demonstrate a capacity-building plan to assist the Department in achieving its enrollment goals will be highly encouraged.

Organizations that can deliver services specifically within the regions of Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Johnson City (Eastern Tennessee) will be given additional consideration for their strategic alignment and ability to meet localized needs.

Provider Benefits:

Engaging with the MAPs program not only allows your organization to innovate and deliver unique services but also rewards you through a value-based compensation methodology upon successful verification of increased independence for individuals served. This is an incredible opportunity to expand your impact, enhance your service offerings, and improve the lives of those you serve.

Application Details:

We encourage interested organizations to take this opportunity to showcase their strengths and commitment to fostering independence.

How to Apply:

Please review the RFA for detailed instructions on submission and application requirements. Applications are now being accepted, and we look forward to your innovative ideas and collaborative spirit!

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to excellence in service delivery.

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BENEFITS PLANNING TRAINING FOR ISCs & SD CMs: SAVE THE DATE!

Independent Support Coordinators and DDA Self-Determination Waiver Case Managers, please join us for a supplementary required training to the Employed Informed Choice process on Benefits Planning. 

Why is This Training Important?

Oftentimes, people are hesitant to explore work because it is not fully understood how their benefits will be impacted when they get a job. DDA’s Benefits Counseling Program (BCP) will provide education around benefits planning so that we can ensure people are supported to make an informed choice regarding employment. 

Benefits Planning training will provide education on the impact of work on all benefits, enhance understanding of the SSA’s work incentives, better equip you to assist individuals with making informed choices regarding work, promote employment and enhance economic self-sufficiency.

Required Attendees:

DDA Self-Determination Waiver Case Managers and Independent Support Coordinators are required to attend one training session per year. *Trainings will be offered throughout 2025 on a quarterly basis.

Training Dates, Times and TEAMS Meeting Links: (The trainings will cover the same materials)

May 6th at 10am Central

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Meeting ID: 268 104 099 518

Passcode: iW7wp9B5

May 8th at 1pm Central

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Meeting ID: 268 362 110 008

Passcode: eF6NS3Ng

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HILLTOPPERS, INC. & THE ARC OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY

The Arc of Cumberland County and Hilltoppers, Inc. will be having a Give Thanks to the Community Reception on May 29, 2025, at 5 PM CST to celebrate 50 years of services to their community! All are invited to celebrate this occasion.

For more details, please contact jeanene.houston@hilltoppersinc.com.

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EAST REGION DSP VOICE WORKGROUP

The DSP Voice is a group of DSPs from agencies throughout the East TN region who meet to discuss and develop strategies to advance the role of the Direct Support Workforce. The East DSP Voice created the Rights and Responsibilities of a DSP for their 2023-2024 project. The East Voice had the honor of presenting the statewide collective work product of the regional DSP Voice Workgroups to Commissioner Turner in January 2025.

For the 2024-2025 session, the East Voice is developing a survey to be utilized by providers as part of their ongoing self-assessment process to evaluate how the role of the DSP is valued within their organization and develop additional opportunities to recruit, train and retain DSPs. When asked “Why are you a DSP?”, some of the responses from the group include “I like to see a person grow and have a fulfilling life through my positive supports”, “When I started as a DSP it was not the job I thought it would be but is has become more that I ever dreamed it could be! and I am proud to be the voice for my fellow DSPs”

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NEW DDA PROVIDER AGREEMENT

Effective Monday, April 28, the new DDA Provider Agreement is in effect for 1915c and Katie Beckett Part B providers.

Providers should receive an automatic email from Provider.Registration@tn.gov notifying them to log into PDMS and complete the steps to sign the new agreement. We appreciate provider’s prompt attention to this matter.

For any questions or assistance, please contact DDA_OBS.Providers@tn.gov.

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SPPC MENTAL/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKGROUP START-UP

The Statewide Planning and Policy Council is starting up its Mental/Behavioral Health Workgroup next month! This workgroup will meet virtually every first Tuesday of the month beginning May 6, 2025, at 3 p.m. CST. 

For more information, please contact Julia.Ballard@tn.gov. 

Join the meeting here. 

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ACCREDITATION ANNOUNCEMENT

Over the last year DDA has collaborated with a TNCO workgroup and many different accrediting organizations to learn more about their processes, priorities, and expectations. The department has long been familiar with the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) principles, having been the first state service delivery system in the nation to be accredited by CQL. Due to that familiarity, we have recognized providers within the DDA network who also received accreditation through CQL with incentives, such as reduced Quality Monitoring survey visits. While CQL continues to be the top recognized accrediting body by the department, we wanted to explore more opportunities for providers who have committed to person centered approaches and system transformation through the accreditation process with other organizations as well.

We are pleased to announce that department leadership alongside a provider workgroup and the TNCO accreditation subgroup was able to identify alignment with our values and standards through principles of both the Council on Accreditation (COA) and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). In turn, we will begin recognizing all three (3) organizations and offering reduced quality monitoring visits beginning with the January 2026 survey cycle. DDA providers who are accredited through CQL will be eligible to skip a survey cycle if their previous survey received an overall achievement level of met expectations or higher AND the provider is in good standing with DDA and CQL. DDA providers who are accredited through COA and CARF will be eligible for an abbreviated survey, exempt from Quality Topics 1 through 4, if their previous survey received an overall achievement level of met expectations or higher AND the provider is in good standing with DDA and their accrediting body.

This means that CQL, COA, and CARF accredited providers would have a full survey every other cycle with the opportunity to skip (CQL) during the “in between” cycle or have an abbreviated survey (CARF and COA) during the “in between” cycle if they meet all of the above criteria. We will continue to review COA and CARF principles moving forward to determine if further Quality Monitoring incentives may be offered in the future for providers choosing those organizations.

Please be on the lookout for additional details about how to report your accreditation status to DDA so we can begin planning for our January 2026 - June 2027 survey cycle.

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SAVE THE DATE: 2025 ENABLING TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION SUMMIT

Please be encouraged to save the date for this year's Tech Summit: Architects of Innovation. The event will be held November 12-13 at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.