Hey there! I’m glad you are here. As a mom with special needs twins, I understand how difficult it is to find available resources. On this page, I am going to start adding the ones that I come across.
Tennessee
- United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
In 1992, at the urging of disability advocates and families, The Tennessee legislature established the Family Support Program. The program is funded by state dollars and designed to assist individuals with severe disabilities and their families to remain together in their homes and communities.
The primary purpose of the program is to support
• Families who have school-aged or younger children with severe disabilities
• Adults with severe disabilities who choose to live with their families
• Adults with severe disabilities not supported by other residential programs funded by state or federal funds
Services can include but are not limited to: Respite care, day care services, home modifications, equipment, supplies, personal assistance, transportation, homemaker services, housing costs, health-related needs, nursing and counseling.
2. Tennessee Disability Pathfinder
Tennessee disability pathfinder helps families and agencies find useful disability services and resources in Tennessee. Pathfinder’s mission is to provide a comprehensive multilingual disability clearinghouse of information & referral resources and support services to and for people with disabilities and their families in Tennessee. The scope of information, resources, and support services includes all types of disabilities (mental health, intellectual, developmental, physical, and learning), and all ages (birth to seniors).
Tennessee’s Katie Beckett program is for children under the age of 18 with disabilities or complex medical needs. This program is for children who are not Medicaid eligible because of their parent’s income or assets.
4. Tennessee Early Intervention Services
Infants and toddlers with diagnosed developmental disability or substantial delays; All children in Tennessee schools starting at age where early childhood education services are offered in local communities.
Tennessee’s CHOICES program includes nursing facility services and home and community-based services (HCBS) for adults 21 years of age and older with a physical disability and seniors (age 65 and older).
6. TennCare (Tennessee’s medicaid program)
Must meet eligibility standards [Age 64 and older] Some older individuals meet dual qualification for limited Medicaid services
Available to qualifying individuals
Full Circle is a YMCA outreach program that gives individuals with an intellectual and/or developmental disability access to classes and activities that encourage self-sufficiency, socialization and staying active—all qualities that help them build critical relationships with their typically functioning peers.
9. The ARC Davidson County and Greater Nashville
The Arc was founded in 1952 by parents and friends of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. We are Nashville’s chapter of The Arc of The United States, the nation’s largest membership disability organization. Our members are people with disabilities as well and their families, friends and supporters in Davidson and surrounding counties. Check out their resource page here.
10. The Special Needs Alliance
Provides a national list of lawyers specializing in special needs trusts and other resources by state. Check here for help with Guardianship, incapacitation, trusts and other pertinent topics.
11. Special Needs Resource Project
Huge database with tons of links.
12. Best Buddies
Offering One-to-One Friendship, Integrated Employment, and Leadership Development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Tennessee.
13. Miracle League
The Miracle League removes the barriers that keep children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime. Since the main barriers for these adults arise from the natural grass fields used in conventional leagues, Miracle League teams play on a custom-designed, rubberized turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assertive devices while helping to prevent injuries.
But it’s more than playing a game. The Miracle League is about making new friends, building self-esteem and being treated just like other athletes. To help the athletes, the Miracle League uses a “buddy” system – pairing each player with an able-bodied peer. The result is a bond that cannot be described. The Miracle League serves children and adults who suffer from any physical or mental disabilities, which causes them to be excluded, whether intentionally or not, from conventional Baseball leagues.
14. Autism Tennessee
Autism Tennessee provides education, support, and advocacy programs to individuals, families, and the community.
The Middle Tennessee Council (MTC) is committed to making Scouting accessible and enjoyable to all Scouts, regardless of their abilities. Since its founding in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has included fully participating members with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. The BSA’s policy is to treat members with disabilities as much like other members as possible. It has been traditional, however, to make some accommodations in advancement if absolutely necessary. By adapting the environment and/or our instruction methods, most Scouts with disabilities can be successful in Scouting.
The basic premise of Scouting for youth with disabilities is full participation. Youth with disabilities can be treated and respected like every other member of their unit. They want to participate like other youth – and Scouting provides that opportunity.
16. Tennessee Disability resources and advocacy organizations
Links to government agencies and disability rights organizations in Tennessee.
17. Autism Resources
List of some resources for people with Developmental Disabilities, with special attention to Autism. Some of the resources also relate to other disabilities.
18. Have a Child With a Disability? You Need Support, Too
Research shows that parents of children with developmental disabilities experience higher levels of chronic stress, anxiety and depression than parents of children without disabilities. Seeking support for yourself as a parent or caregiver can help maximize your own strength, capability and capacity for caring for your child with a disability.
19. Special Needs Resources in and around Nashville, TN
Parents in our area are always searching for resources for kids with special needs. We are doing our best to collect these all on this one page.
20. Middle TN Disability Resources and Support Group
“tight-knit page” that was launched just over a year ago (2020)and has gone over 1,000 members with representation from Sumner, Wilson, Davidson and Williamson counties among others.
21. National Hearing Loss Resources
Middle Tennessee sources.
22. The TennesseeWorks Partnership
community resource guide
23. Family Voices of Tennessee
We are families supporting families of children with special healthcare needs, chronic illnesses or disabilities.
24. Genesis Academy
Genesis Academy is a private non-profit school for special needs children and youth. We have been part of the Nashville and Middle Tennessee education community for over 35 years. Genesis offers this therapeutic special education day school for 1st through 12th grade students.
25. 10 MUST READ SPECIAL EDUCATION BLOGS
A great Facebook group for support.
