Tennessee Department of Human Services Kicks Off 2017 Summer Food Service Program Application Cycle
January 30, 2017
Nashville, TN – The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) 2017 application will be available beginning Wednesday, February 1st, 2017. SFSP is a federally funded program intended to ensure that children who benefit from free and reduced price meals during the school year, have access to nutritious meals during the summer months.
The Department encourages Tennesseans with a desire to alleviate child hunger and strengthen communities to learn more about the program.
Tennessee Department of Human Services Kicks Off No Tennessee Child Hungry Awareness Campaign
March 15, 2016
Pledge support to raising awareness on child hunger in Tennessee #NoTNChildHungryPledge
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Dr. Raquel Hatter announced the launch of an awareness campaign calling attention to childhood hunger in Tennessee and urging Tennesseans to pledge support to help ensure no Tennessee child goes hungry.
In Tennessee, more than half a million children may go hungry each day. One in four Tennessee children faces the risk of hunger. This call to action is to generate awareness, prompt change, and help ensure that No Tennessee Child Goes Hungry.
Tennessee Department of Human Services encourages Caregivers to “Look Before You Lock” when transporting Children
July 2, 2014
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) is reminding licensed child care providers across the state that are approved to transport children of the licensing rules and preventative measures to keep children safe when transporting them during summer months. In doing so, DHS licensing staff will be making extra visits to monitor child care agencies.
DHS is also encouraging parents and caregivers to “Look Before You Lock” car doors upon exit so that children are not left in the sweltering heat of a locked vehicle. [Read more]
Tennessee recognizes June 15th as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
June 14, 2014
Governor proclaims day in tribute to the Safety and dignity of Seniors
Nashville, TN – Each day the state’s elderly population grows, and with it, the heightened risk of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation upon this vulnerable group.
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has issued a proclamation acknowledging the day and urging Tennesseans “to work to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of elderly Tennesseans and to raise awareness and prevention around all people affected by this devastating crime.” [Read more]
Farmers’ Market Event increases SNAP recipient access to Tennessee Farm Products
April 29, 2014
Nashville, TN – Farmers and farmers’ markets across the state yesterday increased their reach to the more than 1.3 million Tennesseans participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps.
Yesterday, the Tennessee Department of Human Services, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service hosted the Farmers’ Market On-Site Application and Approval Event for those interested in receiving free wireless point-of-sale (POS) devices equipped to accept SNAP benefits. [Read more]
Tennessee Department of Human Services Encourages Child Care Providers to heighten protective measures when Transporting Children
June 13, 2012
Nashville, TN – Extreme temperatures cause many health risks for children such as: sunburn, heatstroke, dehydration, brain damage and even death. The Tennessee Department of Human Services encourages state child care agencies to heighten preventative measures to keep children safe when transporting them during the summer months.
On an 80-degree day the temperature inside a locked vehicle increases 19 degrees in just 10 minutes; 29 degrees in 20; and 43 degrees in just one hour. For any human being subjected to such excessive extremes, the experience could prove fatal. [Read more]
Tennessee Department of Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Kick Off 2012 Summmer Food Program
June 7, 2012
Local Agencies Throughout Tennessee Assist Children with Nutritional Needs
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Human Services is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local agencies across the State to kick off the 2012 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). This year’s Summer Kick-Off Event will be hosted by DHS and East Tennessee Human Resource Agency on June 7th, 2012 at 11:00am at the Seymour Boys and Girls Club in Sevier County.
At the end of the school year many children anxiously await for the last bell to ring. Summer should be an exciting time for children to enjoy playtime with friends, a week at camp, a family vacation, or time at the pool. But for many children who receive free and reduced-price meals at school, summer can mean hunger. Just as learning does not end when school lets out, neither does a child’s need for good nutrition. [Read more]
State Readies for Third Round of Standard Spend Down
September 8, 2011
Phone Lines will open 6:00pm CST September 12th
Nashville, TN – The TennCare Standard Spend Down program will again offer open enrollment opportunities to new applicants on Monday, September 12th, 2011 beginning at 6:00pm CST.
Standard Spend Down is available through a waiver to the Medicaid program for a limited number of qualified low income individuals, or those with high, unpaid medical bills who are aged, blind, disabled, or the caretaker relative of a Medicaid eligible child. Eligible individuals must have enough unpaid medical bills to meet the “spend down” threshold to qualify for coverage. [Read more]
