[Tn-talk] FW: TOWN HALL MEETINGS

[Seay, Michael]

-----Original Message-----
From: Deana Claiborne [mailto:Deana_Claiborne at ucpnashville.org] 
Sent: Friday, October 12, 2007 12:53 PM
To: Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Subject: TOWN HALL MEETINGS
Importance: High

Dear Consumers, Families and Friends 

of Persons with Developmental Disabilities,

 

Your voice is needed at Town Hall meetings across the state.

 

Last year, the state Legislature appointed a task force to develop a
plan for services to individuals with developmental disabilities other
than mental retardation.  As you are most certainly aware, the state
directs millions of dollars toward programs and services for persons
with mental retardation, but there is no similar service system for
persons with other types of developmental disabilities.  

 

Under state law, developmental disabilities are defined as disabilities
acquired at birth or in the developmental stages of growth, through age
21. Along with mental retardation, other types of developmental
disabilities include cerebral palsy, autism, spina bifida, juvenile
arthritis, muscular dystrophy, and many other types of disability that
occur early in life.

 

The task force has completed its report.  It can be downloaded in pdf
format at the following link:

http://www.state.tn.us/dmrs/newsroom/announcements/DDTFReportFinal0907.p
df
<http://www.state.tn.us/dmrs/newsroom/announcements/DDTFReportFinal0907.
pdf> 

 

Now, we have a tremendous opportunity to make our voices heard in
support of the recommendations for services to this population of
Tennesseans.  The State Division of Mental Retardation Services is
hosting a series of Town Hall Forums across the state.  A significant
turnout of persons with developmental disabilities and their families is
critical to ensuring that the state understands the issues our families
are facing.  Please make a point to attend one or more of these
meetings, and share this information with all of the families you know
who have family members with developmental disabilities. 

 

When you go to the meeting, make sure you speak up, and describe your
situation as clearly as possible.   Here are the dates and locations for
the meetings.

 

Nashville, October 16
Westminster Presbyterian Church
111 No. Wilson Blvd., Nashville

Shelbyville, October 17
Emergency Management Building
1304 Railroad Ave., Shelbyville

Memphis, October 23
Home Builders Association
776 No. Germantown Pkwy., Cordova

Jackson, October 24 
Holiday Inn Hotel Meeting Room
541 Carriage House Dr., Jackson

Chattanooga, November 6
Orange Grove Cafeteria
615 Derby St., Chattanooga

Winchester, November 7
Franklin Co. Adult Activity Center
702 Hundred Oaks St., Winchester

Kingsport, November 13
Kingsport Renaissance Center
1200 East Center St., Kingsport

Knoxville, November 14 
U.T. Conference Center
600 Henley St., Suite 400, Knoxville

 

Deana Claiborne, Executive Director
United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee
1200 9th Avenue North, Suite 110
Nashville, TN  37208
615-242-4091
Deana_Claiborne at ucpnashville.org
<mailto:Deana_Claiborne at ucpnashville.org>