TDC Announcements

Last Wednesday, the Coalition hosted a press conference at the Capitol in Nashville with Andy Imparato, Executive Director of the American Association of People with Disabilities, and other about the proposed Amendment 9 cuts to TennCare.  In a packed room the media and advocates heard about propose cuts that would:

• Limit in-patient hospital services to $10,000 annually
• Limit coverage to 8 visits to a physician's office annually
• Eliminate coverage of hospice care
• Eliminate coverage for occupatoinal, speach, and physical therapies
• Among others reductions

Media Reports of the Event

News 4 Report - Jessica Pipkin is the face of thousands who have already seen the impact of TennCare cuts. She's a quadriplegic, and the loss of her 24-hour nursing care could force her to leave her family. To read more.

News 4 Video - Video link.

News 5 Report - The head of a national advocacy group for the disabled said Tennessee's proposed cuts to its expanded Medicaid program could eventually have a negative effect on the state's economy. To read more and see video.

News 17 Report - A car accident left Jessica Pipkin a quadrapalegic. Never looked up and I hit the inside corner of a curb and hit another car head on," said Pipkin. She's been on TennCare ever since and that's why she went to the State Capitol Wednesday to tell lawmakers she can't live with 9 doctor's visits a year. To read more and see video.

Nashville Public Radio - Dylan Brown of Hendersonville gets around in a wheelchair. He also works at the Center for Independent Living helping other disabled Tennesseans find a way to live better. To read more, including extended quotes (excerpted below).

Dylan Brown - “If I didn’t have a disability, I could live off my salary, and …pay my own way with rent and all my bills and I’d be fine, but since I do have a disability there’s a lot of costs that go along with that. And with TennCare coverage I get durable medical equipment covered, and private duty nursing covered.”

Anthony Fox, TN Mental Health Consumers' Association - "TennCare participants are the most medically and financially challenged citizens of Tennessee. Many individuals will be forced away from basic medical and mental health treatment because of the inability to pay for the co-pay of transportation."

Andy Imparato - "Tennessee has been slow to provide services and supports in the community. They’ve got a pretty disproportionate percentage of their money going to institutions, nursing homes, and other settings.”

Family Voices of Tennessee, the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, and Project BRAIN are partnering to host a family conference providing information on an array of topics impacting children with special health care needs and/or disabilities.

Topics Include: 504 health plans, challenging behaviors, HIPAA and health care rights, TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), transitioning to adult health services, and autism.

• Conference Sessions are Free
• Vendors will be on site throughout the day to share their resources with families.
• Family organizations will be present to offer supports and additional information.
• Confirmed speakers: SCARAB Behavioral Health Services and STEP (Support Training for Exceptional Parents).
• Scholarships may be available for lunch, travel or childcare.
• Box lunches will be $10.00.
• Registration requested by March 12, 2010
  

Download a registration form (PDF)

Download a registration form (MS Word)

Want to set up a vendor or organizational booth? Just give us a call at 1 (888) 643-7811 or drop a line to julie_s@tndisability.org for a vendor registration form.

For more information: contact Family Voices of Tennessee at 1 (888) 643-7811 or by email at julie_s@tndisability.org

Victory!  It's been a long year for the Family Support Program and the thousands of Tennessee families touched by a disability; however, tonight there is renewed hope.  The Coalition learned earlier today and confirmed tonight during the Governor's State of the State address that the program will be funded for at least two more years.

It is a time to celebrate and say thanks!  We encourage everyone to reach out this week by making a call or sending an note to their legislators and the Governor.  Thank them for putting the Family Support Program back in the budget for the next two years.

Does this mean the threat of elimination has passed?  Not entirely.  It's still early in the session so anything can happen, but now that Family Support is officially in the budget we expect it to be safe.  With that said, a word of thanks to the Governor and legislators this week will go a long way towards cementing this success.

Find your legislators - www.capitol.tn.gov

Contact the Governor -  Phil.Bredesen@tn.gov

The Budget and State of the State Documents - www.tennesseeanytime.org/gov/state-of-the-state

 

 

Three panelists who are experienced in working with public policy makers will share their strategies in how to advocate effectively to improve the disability service system.  Training will conclude with a question/answer session.

Whatever our perspective - trainees and students, researchers, health care professionals, service providers, educators, individuals with disabilities or family members, or simply concerned citizens - we see ways that the disability service system can be improved.  We see ways to apply knowledge gained through research or innovative practices.  One dimension of changing service systems is educating legislators and other public policy makers.

Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Time: 12-1 p.m.
Place: Vanderbilt - Room 241 Kennedy Center/MRL Bldg

Panelists and Topics

Elise McMillan, Co-Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities--Moderator

Doria Panvini, Chair, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Community Advisory Council
How a bill becomes a law and some do’s and don’ts of legislative advocacy

William Edington, Public Policy Director, Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities
Disability issues for the upcoming session of the Tennessee Legislature

Carol Westlake, Executive Director, Tennessee Disability Coalition
Federal disability issues, including healthcare policy/reform as it affects individuals with disabilities and their families

Drinks and snacks will be provided.

To register: http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/site/newsandevents/calendar/page.aspx?id=1832

For more information: laurie.fleming@vanderbilt.edu

Download an event flyer in PDF

Download an event flyer in MS Word

Tennessee Disability Coalition is a private, non-profit organization seeking a qualified individual for a full-time position as Project Manager for our Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program (WIPA), Benefits to Work. 

Primary functions include hiring, managing and evaluation of staff, knowledge of Social Security work incentives and their application, outreach through presentations and participation in collaborative activities as needed.

The project manager leads a staff of four Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs).   CWICs work across the state and are community-based work incentive counselors who work directly with Social Security disability beneficiaries.

Applicants should have experience working with people with disabilities, as well as knowledge of the disability community and its resources, including benefits and entitlement programs.

Applicants should have completed Social Security initial WIPA training (obtained a certificate) or must attend Social Security training and pass a written examination for certification. 

Proficient telephone and written communication skills are required in addition to strong computer literacy.

A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to Master’s degree is required. The Coalition seeks a culturally diverse staff and encourages people with disabilities and minorities to apply.

Please send a cover letter, resume and three professional references no later than February 8, 2010 or e-mail your cover letter, resume and references to benefitstowork@gmail.com

TDC is an equal opportunity employer.

Tennessee Disability Coalition
955 Woodland St
Nashville, TN  37209