Raising Kellan

Jeff Strand Coordinator of Government and External Affairs from the Tennessee Disability Coalition will discuss the Priority Bills for Part 2/2 of the 113th Tennessee General Assembly. Here is a link to what we discussed last year (2023) on Episode 78

TDC Priority Bills for 2024

1) TennCare for Working Adults, where persons with disabilities can potentially buy into TennCare services (like HCBS) by paying a premium. Eligibility to participate in this program will exclude present income and asset thresholds, making Tennessee the 47th State that could allow for this provision.

2) Paid Family Caregiving Resolution. As Jeff explains, this resolution would urge TennCare to work with community stakeholders to develop a comprehensive statewide paid family caregiving policy and program. If TennCare is unable to provide a solution in 2024, then TDC could write a Bill and bring this before lawmakers in 2025.

3) Right to Repair, Part 2. This Bill will require payors to pay for wheelchair maintenance and make provisions for "less complex" repairs, like flat tires, to be made by independent repair persons.

4) HB 2497/SB2146 will exempt two organizations from building dormitory-style, congregate living spaces within the State and bypass the State's anti-institutionalization laws, which prohibit the residence of more than four unrelated persons with disabilities in a group home or less than 500 yards from another group home.

Wins: The Tennessee Drivers Placard language was cleaned up to modernize the language of the law.

The transcript of our conversation will be available at www.raisingkellan.org

In this podcast episode, Leanne Pirece from Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) talks about this unique program through the Tennessee Department of Human Services. Pre-ETS is a program that helps students between the ages of 14 and 22 with disabilities prepare for life after high school. The program offers services such as career counseling, advocating for oneself, budgeting, and basic life skills. Leanne explains that Pre-ETS works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), which helps students find jobs or pursue further education after high school. She emphasizes the importance of parents understanding that the Individualized Education Program (IEP) does not follow the student to college or a job, and Pre-ETS and VR can help with the transition.

Timeline:

2:18 What is Pre -ETS?

4:17 How do Pre-ETS and Vocational Rehab work together?

6:50 Upcoming Resource Fair: March 28, 2024

10:30 How does a parent connect with Pre-ETS?

This episode is brought to you by Teletherapy Services LLC. Physical Therapy that gets you in motion.

In this episode of the Raising Kellan podcast host Marsh Naidoo interviews Jennifer Cunningham, Vice President of Client Services at the Star Center in Jackson, Tennessee. They discuss assistive technology services such as pencil grips, screen readers, and augmentative communication devices for those who cannot speak. The Star Center provides vision services, including orientation and mobility training, as well as communication devices for individuals with speech impairments. They also have a grant program for farmers with disabilities called Tennessee Ag Ability. The services statewide through partnerships with vocational rehabilitation programs and the Tennessee Technology Access Program.

Timeline: 

02:20 Jennifer Cunningham Introduction

03:46 What is assistive Technology

05:58 Services for the vision impaired

06:13 Orientation and Mobility expert

07:24 Magnifers and optical character recognition

09:14 Speech-to-Text or Voice-to-Text

10:59 Communication devices

13:25 Insurance

17:21 Statewide services offered by the Star Center

20:46 Tennessee Agribility

23:00 Conclusion

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/cSCIVxsOBHb

Host Marsh Naidoo interviews Dr. Jennifer Graves, the president of the Star Center in Jackson, Tennessee. Dr. Graves discusses her connection to disabilities and her passion for helping individuals with differing abilities. She explains how the Star Center was founded by Margaret and Chuck Doumitt who wanted to provide services for their children with Batten's Disease. The center offers a wide range of services, including music therapy, assistive technology, employment services, and a reading clinic for individuals with dyslexia. She encourages listeners to reach out to the Star Center for more information on their services.

Timeline:

00:33 Introduction

02:33 Dr Jennifer Grave's backstory

05:21. Dr Grave's career and how she became involved with the Star Center

06:53 The origin of The Star Center and the story of Margaret and Chuck T, Doumitt

11:48 Services provided for pediatric clients

12:10 Music Therapy

14:32 Vocational Rehab

16:03 Reading Programs

21:35 Homecare

23:33 Conclusion

Linked episodes: Part 2 Assistive Technology with Dr Jennifer Cunninham at The Star Center https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/koMT7zTOBHb

The episode is sponsored by Anderson Consulting your one-stop IT shop!

In this podcast episode, the host, Marsh Naidoo, interviews Kim Larrick about their experience at Hope Heals Camp. Kim shares that her son, Ben, has a rare genetic condition called Menkes disease, which affects his mobility and other aspects of his health. Her daughter, Kelsey, has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Kim and her family learned about Hope Heals Camp through Instagram and decided to apply. Kim and Marsh discuss their favorite moments at the camp, including worship sessions, mom's party, and the talent show.

Timeline:

2:18 Introduction by Kim Larrick

4:25 Ben and Menkes Disease6:01 Kelsey and Cerebral Palsy

7:52 How did you learn about Hope Heals Camp

10:50 Camp experience12:11 The Road to Nauvoo Alamba

13:34 Highlights of Camp15:41 Kim and teaching elementary school.

17:06 Managing time and the work-life balance when you have a child/children with disabilities.18:06 RoundupThis episode is brought to you by Anderson Consulting. Your one-stop shop for all your IT needs

Another episode related to a Camp Experience is Episode 83: Camp Conquest

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/marsh-naidoo/episodes/Episode-83--Camp-Conquest-e21fvvj

In this podcast episode, Marsh Naidoo interviews Kali Decker, a pediatric physical therapist who recently went on a mission trip to Uganda. Kali discusses her journey to becoming a pediatric physical therapist and the need for specialized care for children with disabilities. She also talks about the equipment drive being organized to collect pediatric equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers for her upcoming mission trip. The goal of the mission trip is to provide sustainable care and improve the quality of life for children in Uganda. Listeners are encouraged to donate equipment and support the project.

Timeline:

02:55 Kali Decker's Background and what put her on the trajectory to becoming a pediatric PT.

5:13 Kali's mission trip to Masindi.

6:31 Kim Decker and The Fellow of Christian Athletes (FCA)

7:46 Planned Equipment Drive for Kali's Mission Trip.

8:28 Items needed.

10:30 Our take on helping locally and internationally.

12:30 Kali relates Noah's story of mobility.

14:02 What is OneWorld Health?

15:12 Kali's plug to participate in the Equipment Drive.

17:36 Closing Remarks

This episode is sponsored by Dennis Anderson of Anderson Consulting in Newbern TN

Today we chatted with Ashley Roberts, MRC, CRC vocational rehabilitation field supervisor here in NortWest TN.

Timeline:

3:27 What is vocational rehabilitation (VR)?

3:54 Who does VR service and what services does it cover?

4:16 How can parents get connected with VR?

5:47 Is VR part of school and when do you enroll for services?

11:58 Does VR involve finding independent living solutions?

14: 06 Can VR coincide with other employment services?

15:39 Conclusion.

The transcript of this podcast can be found at www.raisingkellan.org

This episode is sponsored by Anderson Consulting in Newbern, TN

Drake Box and Marsh Naidoo recap the highlights of 2023, including our first-ever "Day At The Lake" live event held in Dyersburg TN on August 26, 2023.

Savannah Pham has contributed a blog of the podcast highlights titled: Navigating Possibilities: A Year of the Raising Kellan Podcast, 2023. (Link to blog)

We are enthusiastic about 2024. Here is a list of upcoming events to mark your calendar.

1) Disability Day on the Hill on February 28, 2024, followed by Disability Advocacy Day on Monday, March 11, 2024, organized by the Tennessee Disability Coalition.

2) Podfest Media Expo from 25-28 August 2024 in Orlando, Florida.

3) Resource Ability Fair at Vocational Rehabilitation on Morgan Rd, Dyersburg TN on 28 March 2024 from 5-7 pm.

Happy New Year!

Melanie Westmoreland's Top 10 Christmas Kid's Gift List

Melanie shares the therapy and fun-focused toys that she has discovered for her children. Here are her Top 10 suggestions:

1) Magna-Tiles

2) Bubble Puzzles

3) Kinetic Sand

4) Weighted Stuff Animals

5) Sensory Swings

6) Bubble Lamp

7) Yoto Audio player

8) Osmo Kit for Tablet

9) Amazon Fire Tablet

10) Gabb Phone

DISCLAIMER: The suggestions on this list are general in nature and for individualized advice for your child's therapeutic toys an evaluation, assessment or conversation must happen with your physical therapist, occupational therapist, or speech therapist.

In this episode of the Raising Kellan podcast, host Marsh Naidoo interviews Jordan Collins, the Associate Director at Our Place Nashville, an organization that provides housing solutions for individuals with disabilities in the Nashville area.

Jordan shares his personal journey and how he became involved with Our Place. He explains that the organization aims to create inclusive communities where individuals with disabilities can live independently and thrive. They offer affordable housing options and rely on partnerships with other organizations to provide additional support services such as employment.

Jordan emphasizes the importance of community and discusses the concept of Ubuntu, which means "I am because we are." He encourages listeners to visit the Our Place Nashville website to learn more about the organization and get involved.

Check out episodes #77 and #85  on the podcast which also discusses housing solutions for our community.

2:25  Introduction of Jordan Collins from Our Place Nashville

4:15 Discussion on housing options for individuals with disabilities

5:54 Description of Our Place Nashville's mission and goals

7:48 Explanation of the Friendship House model

9:39 Overview of the onboarding process for joining the community

13: 00 Information on the locations of Our Place Nashville's properties

15:29 Emphasis on the importance of community and support

18:12 Explanation of the role of Our Place Nashville in providing housing and support

23:29 Mention of the concept of Ubuntu and its significance

28:38 Invitation to learn more about Our Place Nashville and contact the organization.