Category: March 2024

A Message from Pathfinder’s Communications Manager on Celebrating Diverse Holidays

Posted on by Sheena Adams-Avery, CDT, CDP
Gradient green background image with a pink curvy shape on the bottom left of the image and a dark green curvy shape on the top right of the image. On the left of the image is a photo of a female with long graying locks, wearing a yellow blazer in front of a light background. Below the photo is cursive text "Sheena Adams-Avery" and a title "COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER." On the right of the image is text that says, "A MESSAGE FROM OUR COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER." On the top right of the image is Patfhinder's branded graphic.

Dear Friends of Pathfinder, It’s not just the luck of the Irish that we’re celebrating during March, we’re also celebrating so many other wonderful important days like National Reading Month, National Optimism Month, and Easter will be celebrated in March this year for the Christian communities. Did you know there’s even a National Celery Month?… Read more A Message from Pathfinder’s Communications Manager on Celebrating Diverse Holidays

READ: Pathfinder’s Inclusive Reading Initiative

Posted on by Pathfinder
"READ" is written in lights. Illustrations are to the left and right. A rainbow is to the right of the "R." Books with an apple are to the right of the "E." "Acceptance" is written to the right of the "A." An individual in a wheelchair is to the right of the "D."

Representation matters! Children’s books should reflect the diverse world we live in, showcasing characters of all races, cultures, abilities, and backgrounds. When kids see themselves reflected in stories, it builds a sense of belonging and acceptance. The week prior and during Read Across America Week, March 2nd-6th, 2024, Pathfinder accepted the challenge of the National… Read more READ: Pathfinder’s Inclusive Reading Initiative

4-1-1 on DD: Stay in the Know on Disability Issues with the Council on Developmental Disabilities

Posted on by Emma Shouse Garton
Image of a woman wearing a beige blazer holding a booklet from TN Council on Developmental Disabilities.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, but all year long the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities (Council) informs people across Tennessee about the amazing strengths and the needs of Tennesseans with developmental disabilities (DD). Before we move on… Not sure what makes a disability a “developmental disability”? Check out our brief video explaining the term,… Read more 4-1-1 on DD: Stay in the Know on Disability Issues with the Council on Developmental Disabilities

Using the Transition Tennessee Website to Navigate the Transition Planning Process

Posted on by Hope Armstrong & Christina Muri Irland
"Supporting strong transitions for youth with disabilities" written in white text against a blue banner spanning the top portion of the page. Three gear-shaped graphics are on the bottom right in a triangular formation. The top gear is blue with the word "educator" written in it. The bottom left gear is yellow with the word "student" written in it. The bottom right gear is red with the word "provider" in it. "What Transition Tennessee Offers" is written in black to the left.

Transition Tennessee (TransitionTN) is a partnership between the Tennessee Department of Education, the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Vanderbilt University, and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. TransitionTN hosts a free website (www.transitiontn.org) for transition professionals (e.g., Special Educators or Pre-Employment Transition Services {Pre-ETS} providers), families, and students. Website resources include: Professional development courses for transition professionals. Course… Read more Using the Transition Tennessee Website to Navigate the Transition Planning Process

Spotlight – March 2024 – DIDD

Posted on by Krystyne Brown
Green background with two lights at the left and right top. "Spotlight" is written in the center. Pathfinder logo is used as the "o" in "spotlight." TN's DIDD logo is on the bottom.

The Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) is the state agency responsible for oversight of services and support to Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Every day, the department strives to support approximately 12,000 people to live rewarding and fulfilling lives through Medicaid waiver Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), the MAPs Program, and the… Read more Spotlight – March 2024 – DIDD

Special Ed 101 – March 2024: Developmental Disability & the IEP

Posted on by Mimi Sanders
Pathfinder logo to the upper left. Shamrock banner in the upper right with the hashtag #DDAM2024 in white text on top of it. "Special Ed. 101" written in the center. "Developmental Disability and the IEP" written in white text on the bottom right. All against a chalkboard background.

Walking into your first IEP meeting can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions while you process so much information. It can feel like drinking from a fire hose of information. March is Developmental Disability Awareness month and frequently after a diagnosis many parents must engage with the IEP process for the first time. To help… Read more Special Ed 101 – March 2024: Developmental Disability & the IEP

In the Know – March 2024

Posted on by From the TJC News Desk
Black background. Pathfinder logo in the upper left corner. Two yellow stars on the page. TN Justice Center logo on the right, which has the letters "TJC" and a liberty statue.

To effectively spread awareness about things that matter to people in the community, we’ve chosen to share information shared by community partners directly from the source. Child Uninsured Rate Could Rise Sharply in Tennessee if Leaders Don’t Act to Protect Children’s Coverage Children made up 43.8% of TennCare and CoverKids enrollment growth during the pandemic,… Read more In the Know – March 2024