Tennessee Department of Human Services Making Childcare Easier to Find, More Affordable
September 29, 2021
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is announcing additional steps to help parents navigate the balance of raising a family and holding down a job. Beginning October 1st, 2021, TDHS will increase child care payment assistance rates by 10% across all categories of care in the Child Care Certificate Program.
Under this program, the state pays a reimbursement rate directly to child care providers on behalf of families who are enrolled and meet the income and work or education requirements of the program. This overall rate increase will save many participating families money by reducing the portion they have to pay to cover tuition expenses.
New Investments Part of a Larger Goal to Support Working Parents Who Depend on Quality Childcare
Additionally, this rate increase will provide financial support to child care providers who may be recovering from financial losses during the pandemic. This additional income for child care providers and will help providers stay open and remain available to serve families in their communities that need quality care for their children.
“Many child care providers have continuously and consistently served families throughout the pandemic, enabling parents to work and children to continue their critical early learning,” said TDHS Commissioner Clarence H. Carter. “This rate increase will create incentives to grow the child care industry and remove some of the barriers that make it challenging for parents to enter the workforce and support their families.”
Beginning October 1st, 2021, TDHS will also begin providing additional assistance to child care agencies who care for children identified with disabilities or special needs. A 15% rate bonus will be applied to each qualifying child that participates in the Child Care Certificate Program. In addition to the 15% bonus, the Department is partnering with the Child Care Resource and Referral Network to establish a team of Inclusion Quality Coaches to promote inclusive early childhood environments.
These investments are the latest in a series of moves to support and expand child care in Tennessee. In recent years TDHS has offered Enhancement and COVID Relief grants, established a WAGE$ program to raise salaries, and created a bonus for providers operating in communities that don’t have an adequate supply of child care providers.
The Tennessee Department of Human Services is dedicated to making our state a place where all Tennesseans can move beyond the barriers they may face, to self-sufficiency, and on to new heights
Tennessee Landmarks Lit Green for Child Support Awareness Month
August 21, 2021
Tennessee adds new resources to help parents provide the necessary support for children
Nashville, TN – The State Capitol Cupola and other well-known landmarks across Tennessee were lit green Friday night in recognition of Child Support Awareness Month.
Each August the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) works to light up recognizable locations in green as a shining reminder of the important role its Child Support Program plays in the health and well-being of Tennessee children.
Eiffel Tower in Paris
Tennessee Launches Additional Effort to Feed Children This Summer
August 8, 2021
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) wants Tennesseans to know additional benefits will be available for families who need help purchasing food this summer. The state’s fourth round of benefits made available as part of the Summer Pandemic Electronic
Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program will provide hundreds of dollars in benefits to qualifying families so they can immediately begin purchasing food.
Department of Human Services Provides Additional Food Benefits to Tennessee Families
Tennessee’s Coordinated Community Response Protects Seniors
June 17, 2021
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) by highlighting the impact the state’s Coordinated Community Response (CCR) has had over the last five years.
Coalition of agencies and organizations is now in its fifth year of serving vulnerable adults
Tennessee Community Services Block Grants meeting Critical Needs During COVID-19 Pandemic
May 31, 2021
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) and partnering agencies are recognizing the important impact the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) has been able to make in communities over the last year.
Tennessee Department of Human Services announces Summer Food Service Program Expanded to Provide Meals During COVID-19 Pandemic
December 8, 2020
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is announcing an extension to its summer program to provide meals to children.
With the recent approval from the USDA, sponsors of Tennessee’s Summer Food Service Program now have the ability to offer meals to their communities throughout the entire 2020/2021 school year.
USDA has extended the Summer Food Service Program to help Feed Children during the Fall, Winter, and Spring.
Tennessee Working to Grow Food Program During This Time of Need
September 13, 2020
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is recruiting more centers and organizations to serve their communities as sponsors of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
The Child and Adult Care Food Program is a valuable resource for Tennesseans who need additional nutritional support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tennessee Community CARES Program awards $150 Million to Hundreds of Tennessee Non-Profits
September 9, 2020
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has announced grant assistance has been awarded to 656 non-profit organizations across the state serving Tennessee communities.
These grants are all provided through the new Tennessee Community CARES Program.
Tennessee Community CARES Program to fund a wide variety of COVID-19 pandemic needs across the state
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Unveils Safe Reopening Plan for Schools
July 28, 2020
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced today the State of Tennessee’s recommendations to reopen schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
“Providing parents a choice in their children’s education is incredibly important,” said Governor Lee.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
Tennessee Department of Human Services extends Application Period for Pandemic Food Assistance until August 14th
July 25, 2020
Nashville, TN – Tennessee parents have additional time to apply for an important program designed to help them feed their families during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Applications will now be accepted online for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program here until Friday, August 14th at 4:30pm CT.
Kids Lunch
