Haslam, Barnes Announce Plans To Reform Welfare Programs to Encourage Self-Sufficiency And Program Integrity
September 19, 2017
SNAP Work Requirements to be Reestablished in 70 Counties beginning February 1st, Proposed Legislation Will Incentivize Work and Help Families Avoid “Fiscal Cliff”
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Danielle W. Barnes today announced plans to reinstate the federal work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that was waived in 2008 during the economic recession.
With the state’s record low unemployment rates and significant job growth, the waiver is no longer needed across most of the state – but will remain in place in 16 counties designated as economically distressed.
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.
TDHS asks Tennesseans Responsible for Children Transportation to “Look Before You Lock”
June 18, 2017
Nashville, TN – Temperatures are heating up with the start of summer only days away. The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) Child Care Licensing Team is increasing its focus on transportation.
TDHS Child Care Licensing program evaluators will conduct additional unannounced visits to child care agencies approved to transport children.
These visits are conducted during hot summer months to ensure agencies are following transportation licensing rules intended to prevent children from being left on a vehicle unattended.
Tennessee Department of Human Services Increases Transportation Checks at Child Care Agencies, Encourages All Tennesseans Responsible for Transporting Children to “Look Before You Lock”.
Food program provides millions of meals to children and older adults
June 9, 2017
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and eligible agencies across the state provide meals to children and adults through the Child and Adult Care Food Program, or CACFP.
The CACFP is a federally funded program that provides reimbursement for eligible meals that are served to participants who meet age and income requirements.
Food program provides millions of meals to children and older adults
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 launches additional efforts in 2013 to reduce the number of Drug-Dependent Newborns
April 4, 2014
Nashville, TN – In 2013, 921 newborns in Tennessee experienced withdrawal from drugs their mothers used while pregnant.
Many people across Tennessee, including a group of state leaders, are working to reduce that number and in the past year launched several efforts to help prevent the suffering and expenses associated with the condition known as neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad07PjZOlU8[/youtube] [Read more]
Tennessee Department of Human Services reports the end of federal ARRA fund inflation to decrease all SNAP benefits November 1st
October 29, 2013
Drop follows annual COLA hike; DHS sends Tennesseans letters about U.S. move
Nashville, TN – On November 1st, the federal government’s short-term inflation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will end, causing a reduction in the monthly amount for households across the nation receiving the food stamps benefit.
As a result, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which funds and oversees SNAP, on November 1st, for a family of four receiving a maximum allotment, benefits will decrease from $668.00 to $632.00, a decrease of $36.00, or 5.4 percent. [Read more]
