Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging

We love celebrating our team members as they hit major milestones! Today we had our annual Service Award ceremony for employees in the middle region and central office. From 5 years to 50 years, every person honored today has made a difference in the lives of Tennesseans. We could not be more appreciative for all of our team members who have dedicated their lives to public service!

"This is one of my favorite days because we get to celebrate the conversation about what real inclusive employment looks like." - Commissioner Brad Turner Tennessee is leading the way in creating a more inclusive and accessible workforce! Today, the Employment First Task Force presented its 2024 Expect Employment report to Gov. Bill Lee at Lipscomb University. The report highlights the ongoing statewide efforts to support individuals with disabilities in securing and maintaining meaningful employment. At Lipscomb, the university's Lipscomb IDEAL Program provides opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to attend college and complete internships to develop job skills. We are so proud of all Tennesseans with disabilities who continue to make significant contributions to the workforce! Read the Expect Employment report here: https://lnkd.in/gcAu8wZc

Hi everybody, I am an intern at DDA and my name is Emily czap. Today is my last day! My favorite memory of my internship is when I found out I got a job on the Self-Advocate Mentor team at DDA! The hardest part of the internship was public speaking but I practiced this skill. The most fun thing was spending time with my supervisor! I cannot wait for my job coming up. Thank you for having me here. I loved it!

Please help us give a warm welcome to the new DDA employees who joined our team in November. They all bring a special set of skills that will enhance the lives of older adults and Tennesseans with disabilities and we are thrilled to have them on our team!

DDA is excited to announce the appointment of Jennifer Enderson as Chair of the DDA Statewide Planning and Policy Council (SPPC)! Gov. Lee has appointed Jennifer to the council which focuses on enhancing the quality of life for older Tennesseans and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Currently serving as the President of Emory Valley Center, Jennifer has been a member of SPPC since 2017. We look forward to seeing how Jennifer's dedication and expertise will contribute to shaping the policies and programs that support individuals and families across Tennessee! Learn more about Jennifer and her service here: https://lnkd.in/g53ZUzNv

That's a wrap! Our 7th annual Enabling Technology and Innovation Summit has come to a close. A huge "thank you" to all our sponsors, providers, direct support professionals, and dedicated DDA staff who helped make this conference so successful. Above all, our gratitude extends to the people we serve, whose inspiration and leadership are the driving forces behind our technology and innovation. This conference is one of the best times of the year for DDA employees. Getting to see how technology has directly had a positive impact on the people we serve is just incredible. We're alre

Justin, Clayton, and Lorenzo are amazing reminders of why we do what we do each day. To be able to witness the growth they've experienced after getting the comprehensive healthcare they need is a true privilege. Thank you, Kramer Davis Health, for inviting us to help share their stories!