Help for Families

This section contains information to help families navigate systems and connect to resources. Links to other disability websites can be found here.

UnitedHealthcare Grants - Families struggling with the medical bills of children with special needs may get help from the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF). The nonprofit offers grants of up to $5,000 for [but not limited to] speech language treatment, audiology, and hearing aids--not fully covered by health insurance. There are some age, income, and residential qualifiers. For more information, visit Children's Foundation Inc.

Effective Emergency Management: Making Improvements for Communities and People with Disabilities - The National Council on Disability (NCD) has released a report calling on federal, state and local authorities to make sweeping changes in emergency management practices for people with disabilities. Emergency Preparedness

ArcLink Roommates - Roommates is a new tool now available for Tennessee citizens with intellectual disabilities already receiving residential funding from DIDS to be able to, along with their family, friends, Independent Support Coordinator or Residential Provider, enter information about themselves in order to search for and locate one or more potential roommates. This is a safe website that does not list personal details. You can access the web site by going to The Arc Link. Click on the "Roommates" tab at the top of the page and then click on "Sign Up". Fill out the brief "application" and submit for approval. You can expect an approval within a day or two of your request. Once you are approved for the website you can enter your information and/or do a search for a potential housemate of two. If you have any questions about the web site or how it might help you or someone you know please feel free to contact Barbara DeBerry or phone 615-253-6888.

DD Task Force - Read the Developmental Disabilities Task Force Executive Summary.