If you received a diagnosis tomorrow that threatened your ability to work, do you know how to navigate the disability system? This topic is critical to many patients and their families who are also frequently confused about the eligibility criteria and application process for disability benefits. On this episode of Tennessee Matters, Beth Moore with Patient Advocate Foundation tells us how her organization can help you understand how disability is defined, the criteria for benefits, questions to think about before filing and tips for building and submitting a solid application for a timely decision.

Celebrating means many things to many people of all faiths, but almost unviversaly, observing the holidays means allowing Chris Kringle to come into our lives. For more than a few years now, in North Georgia, litteraly thousands of children, of course young an old, have come across Derek Dugan. Effectionately known to many as Santa Derek. We visited Santa Derek in his home and learned that a man looking for direction during a time of crisis, found solace and his place in the world when he sat for the first time upon the throne of Santa Clause.

The good news is that in the United States, child poverty fell by 59% from 1993 – 2019, according to a comprehensive new analysis. The study was a joint effort between The New York Times and a nonpartisan research group with an expertise in statistical analysis called Child Trends. A broad overview of the results show multiple forces reduced child poverty, including lower unemployment, increased labor force participation among single mothers and the growth of state-level minimum wages. But a dominant factor was the expansion of government aid. To tell us more about the details, we’re speaking with Dana Thomson, Senior Research Scientist with Child Trends.

Studies show prescription drug prices in the United States are significantly higher than in other nations, with prices in the United States averaging 2.56 times those seen in 32 other nations. Bloomburg reports the average American spends $1200 a year on prescription drugs. On Tennessee Matters, we’re talking to Antonio Ciaccia, the President of 3 Axis Advisors and the leading expert on drug pricing to learn how the drug supply chain works, which groups are responsible for the huge price increases, and what you and I can do to pressure the right people to fix it.

How much garbage and litter still gets dumped on Tennessee roadways? It's a very big number that Shawn Bible knows all too well. She and her team at TDOT work hard to remind us #NobodyTrashesTennessee. The TN Department of Transportation’s Environmental Division is responsible for identifying, assessing, mitigating and documenting environmental risks to TDOT on projects and operations. Bible, TDOT's Transportation Manager, talks with host John Clark about the never ending effort to keep roadways litter free on this edition of TENNESSEE MATTERS.

The TN Dept. of Children's Services provides support to children and families while promoting safety, permanency, and well-being with the goal of creating healthy environments where children can live with supportive families and in engaged communities. Commissioner Jennifer Nichols is our guest on TENNESSEE MATTERS.

The United States Air Force is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on August 1, 1907 as a part of the United States Army Signal Corps, the USAF was established as a separate branch of the United States Armed Forces in 1947 with the enactment of the National Security Act of 1947. SSgt Mitchell Webb, USAF Enlisted Accessions Recruiter, talks about the benefits of the Air Force with host John Clark.

Major General Jeff Holmes, Commissioner, TN Dept. of the Military, discusses the critical purpose and vision of the Tennessee Army National Guard. The Guard serves both community and country and its versatility enables response to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions and more. The Guard always responds with speed, strength and efficiency, helping to defend American freedom and ideals.

The State of Tennessee enrolls almost one million students in 147 school districts. Management of public education in the state is the responsibility of the Department of Education and Commissioner Dr. Penny Schwinn who is our guest on this episode of Tennessee Matters. Dr. Schwinn discusses numerous issues facing public education including the new funding plan, the shortage and recruitment of teachers, and the challenges of safety in the classroom.