The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VKC UCEDD) welcomed Rebecca Hines, Commissioner of the federal Administration on Disabilities, and Ophelia McLain, Director of the Office of Disability Services Innovation, for a daylong visit focused on learning more about the issues impacting Tennesseans with disabilities and their families.
The visit brought together VKC leaders, faculty, staff, community partners, self-advocates and family members to share how research, training, service and partnerships are supporting people with disabilities across the state.
The day began with presentations on VKC programs that connect Tennesseans with information, services and supports. Faculty and staff highlighted Tennessee Disability Pathfinder, the state’s disability resource network, and VKC TRIAD’s partnerships with state agencies to improve autism and behavior supports. Presenters also discussed efforts to strengthen the direct support professional workforce and initiatives that address physical and mental health needs. An emphasis was placed on how the VKC works with state agencies, service providers and community organizations to expand access to resources.
During lunch, Hines and McLain met with leaders from Tennessee’s Developmental Disabilities Network, including representatives from the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center UCEDD, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center UCEDD, the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities and Disability Rights Tennessee. The group discussed shared priorities, collaboration across the network and opportunities to strengthen supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
The afternoon community conversation provided an opportunity to hear directly from Tennesseans about the opportunities and challenges they face.
Topics raised included the importance of ABLE accounts and other tools that help people with disabilities build financial security; concerns about losing public benefits that can prevent families from using financial tools designed to support independence; barriers families face when seeking therapy services for children, including long waiting lists and low reimbursement rates for providers; the impact of programs supported through the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act; and the importance of helping families understand conservatorship and other decision-making options.
The visit highlighted the value of partnerships. It also reinforced the importance of listening to people with disabilities and their families when shaping services, policies and supports.
“We were so pleased to welcome Commissioner Hines and Ophelia McLain to the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center,” said Julie Lounds Taylor, co-director of the VKC UCEDD. “Their visit highlighted the importance of collaboration across every level of the Developmental Disability Network. We appreciated the opportunity to share the innovative work happening in Tennessee and to discuss the issues that matter most to the people and families we serve.”
Pictured at top: Administration on Disabilities Commissioner Rebecca Hines and Office of Disability Services Innovation Director Ophelia McLain visited the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center to meet with Tennessee disability partners and discuss services and supports for people with disabilities.
