Author: Jolene Sharp

A Message from the Chief Strategy Officer of Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities (TN Council on DD)

Posted on by Jolene Sharp
A bright green newsletter header featuring layered shamrocks, leafy shapes, and soft white flowers in the background. Large white text on the left reads “THE COMPASS.” On the right side, a circular compass illustration with gold and beige tones is placed against the green background. Below the title, a white banner stretches across the lower portion of the image with dark green text that reads “DDAM: Awareness Starts with Access to Information.” Beneath that, smaller text reads “March 2026 Issue.” The overall design uses a spring theme with vivid greens and subtle textures.

Dear Compass readers, Happy Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! This annual celebration offers our community a chance to pause, reflect, and think about where we are headed. The theme of this month’s newsletter – “Awareness Starts with Access to Information” – is the perfect place to start. I began my work at the TN Council on… Read more A Message from the Chief Strategy Officer of Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities (TN Council on DD)

Spotlight – July 2025

Posted on by Jolene Sharp
A website banner for the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities highlights Spotlight: DD Network’s Joint Needs Assessment in large red and white text. Menu and navigation options are visible at the top.

Joint Needs Assessment: What We’ve Learned for the Work Ahead By Jolene Sharp, Chief Strategy Officer, TN Council on Developmental Disabilities Tennessee’s Developmental Disabilities Network has made national history with its just-completed joint needs assessment. What does that really mean for Tennessee’s disability community? First, some background: The Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network exists in every… Read more Spotlight – July 2025

A New Frontier: Healthcare access for a doubly marginalized minority

Posted on by Jolene Sharp
Colorful image of outerspace with text "A New Frontier: Healthcare Access for a Doubly Marginalized Minority." Branded graphics of TN Council on DD, Disability Rights TN, UT Health Science Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and TN Disability Pathfinder.

“I’d like to connect you with an advocate who can help you enroll in home and community-based services,” we told the young person in need. This call seemed like many of our calls – someone with developmental disabilities needed help to find a place to live and basic supports. This caller had just left their… Read more A New Frontier: Healthcare access for a doubly marginalized minority

Grow your leadership skills! Partners in Policymaking Applications Open March 1-31, 2022

Posted on by Jolene Sharp
A group of 7 diverse people sitting around a round shaped table with a blue cloth. The man on the left is in a wheelchair.

Are you a person with a developmental disability? Are you a parent/guardian/family member of someone with a developmental disability or other combined disabilities? Would you like to work for real change for people with disabilities in your community and the state? Then Partners in Policymaking® – from the Council on Developmental Disabilities – may be… Read more Grow your leadership skills! Partners in Policymaking Applications Open March 1-31, 2022

Trailblazer Starts New Journey

Posted on by Jolene Sharp
Image of a Wanda Willis wearing a black top and a tan scarf on a pink and green shadowed background. Text "Wanda Willis Trailblazer." Pathfinder branded graphic at bottom of image.

Wanda Willis, starting force and vision behind Pathfinder, retires from 40 years of public service Wanda Willis, Executive Director of the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, is retiring in January. Lauren Pearcy, previously the Council’s Director of Public Policy, has been appointed by the Council Executive Committee as the new Executive Director. Wanda’s career began… Read more Trailblazer Starts New Journey