TNSTEP

05/25/2026

Join our friends at Family Voices of Tennessee and Tennessee Department of Health for their 2026 Family and Youth Conference for families and youth ages 14-24.

The conference will be held on June 4th from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Tennessee State Library and Archives, located at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way, Nashville, TN 37219.

The event will feature breakout sessions, panel discussions, and keynote presentations from individuals with lived experience.

Registration is required:
https://forms.office.com/g/68vedXhmeK

05/14/2026

TNSTEP is thrilled to be partnering with Empower Tennessee for their Youth Leadership Academy June 16-18! Applications are being accepted through May 26th.

This program is open to youth with disabilities ages 16 - 24 and is offered at no cost to participants.

The summer intensive is a three-day in-person gathering where participants have opportunities to learn, engage, and empower each other toward their future goals. We hope to see you there!

Dates: June 16th, 17th, & 18th
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm CT
Place: In Person at 955 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN 37206
Apply: bit.ly/ETYLAA26

Participants will learn about:
> Being your Authentic Self with Disability Pride
> Problem Solving for Success with Employment and Budgeting
> Working Towards Independence with Self-Advocacy
> Transitioning into Adulthood
> And more...
All while having fun!

For more information, contact us at [email protected] or 615.200.6028

05/12/2026

Reminder: 🔥 AI Training for Youth!!! 🔥

We recently partnered with for AI sessions supporting families navigating youth-to-adulthood services—and now it’s time for students to jump in!

In this interactive session, youth will discover how AI can help with school, career exploration, and navigating services like vocational rehabilitation and independent living—while also learning how to use AI safely and responsibly.

🎯 Who should attend?
STUDENTS with disabilities (ages 12–22) living in Tennessee

Thursday, May 14, 2026
6:00 – 7:00 PM EST

🔗 Register here:
https://tinyurl.com/2xwhvcp6

05/08/2026

🔥 AI Training for Youth!!! 🔥

We recently partnered with for AI sessions supporting families navigating youth-to-adulthood services—and now it’s time for students to jump in!

In this interactive session, youth will discover how AI can help with school, career exploration, and navigating services like vocational rehabilitation and independent living—while also learning how to use AI safely and responsibly.

🎯 Who should attend?
STUDENTS with disabilities (ages 12–22) living in Tennessee

Thursday, May 14, 2026
6:00 – 7:00 PM EST

🔗 Register here:
https://tinyurl.com/2xwhvcp6

05/03/2026

⏰ Reminder! Don’t miss these free online sessions on using AI to navigate vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and other services—Spanish on May 6th and English on May 7th!

Join TNSTEP + for this interactive session on using Artificial Intelligence to find resources, prepare for meetings, organize information, and explore career options. We’ll share practical examples, simple tools you can use right away, and tips for using AI safely and responsibly.

Designed for Tennessee parents, caregivers, and professionals supporting youth with disabilities.

🔗 Register here:
Spanish / May 6 at 6 PM ET:
https://tnstep.info/event/exploring-ai-spanish-5-6-26/

English / May 7 at 6 PM CT:
https://tnstep.info/event/exploring-ai-parents-prof-5-7-26/

La inteligencia artificial (IA) puede ser una herramienta poderosa para las familias y los profesionales que navegan la rehabilitación vocacional, la vida independiente y otros servicios.

04/28/2026

Curious how AI can make life easier for families navigating vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and other services?

Check out these free online learning sessions—Spanish on May 6th and English on May 7th!

Join TNSTEP + for this interactive session on using Artificial Intelligence to find resources, prepare for meetings, organize information, and explore career options. We’ll share practical examples, simple tools you can use right away, and tips for using AI safely and responsibly.

Designed for Tennessee parents, caregivers, and professionals supporting youth with disabilities.

🔗 Register here:
Spanish / May 6 at 6 PM ET:
https://tnstep.info/event/exploring-ai-spanish-5-6-26/

English / May 7 at 6 PM ET:
https://tnstep.info/event/exploring-ai-parents-prof-5-7-26/

04/23/2026

Join Knox County Schools for an engaging virtual training with TNSTEP designed for parents of young children with disabilities who want to better understand the supports available through early intervention and special education.

This session will break down “related services” under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in clear, family-friendly language, helping you navigate what services your child may be entitled to and how they are delivered. We’ll also explore the key differences between educational and medical models of support—what they mean, how they shape services, and why the distinction matters for your child’s development.

Whether you’re new to the process or looking to deepen your knowledge, this training will empower you to advocate confidently and make informed decisions for your child.

When: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM EST
Where: TEAMS Online Training

To register, visit: http://bit.ly/41VpEvh

04/07/2026

Reminder - This Thursday in Knoxville!
🔸Whether you're brand new to special education or just looking to feel more confident in IEP meetings, this in-person training on April 9th will help you make the most of your time with your school team so your child’s needs are clearly discussed and addressed — because you know your child best.

Join TNSTEP trainer Joey Ellis to learn how IEP meetings work and how to better understand key parts of the IEP, including your child’s present levels of performance, annual goals, and the services and supports that may be available through special education. You'll also learn ways to share your concerns and ideas so the team can build the strongest plan possible for your child.

📅 Thursday, April 9, 2026
🕕 6:00–8:00 PM ET
📍 East Tennessee Children's Hospital Rehabilitation Center
1025 Children's Way
Knoxville, TN 37922

✔️ Free workshop | Adults only | Registration required

To register or learn more, contact Lydia or Tracy:
📞 865-690-8961 ext. 6732
📧 [email protected]

04/02/2026

🔸Knoxville Friends - Whether you're brand new to special education or just looking to feel more confident in IEP meetings, this in-person training on April 9th will help you make the most of your time with your school team so your child’s needs are clearly discussed and addressed — because you know your child best.

Join TNSTEP trainer Joey Ellis at East Tennessee Children's Hospital Rehabilitation Center to learn how IEP meetings work and how to better understand key parts of the IEP, including your child’s present levels of performance, annual goals, and the services and supports that may be available through special education. You'll also learn ways to share your concerns and ideas so the team can build the strongest plan possible for your child.

📅 Thursday, April 9, 2026
🕕 6:00–8:00 PM ET

📍 East Tennessee Children's Hospital Rehabilitation Center
1025 Children's Way
Knoxville, TN 37922

✔️ Free workshop | Adults only | Registration required

To register or learn more, contact Lydia or Tracy:
📞 865-690-8961 ext. 6732
📧 [email protected]

03/30/2026

🚨 Support Needed This Week: State funding to expand TNSTEP staff and support services to families of children with disabilities in Tennessee schools is within reach—but we need your help to make it happen.

We’re excited to share a major update: we now have an Appropriations Amendment (SA221) in the Senate as well as the House (HA224)!

If you live in Tennessee and have 3 minutes to spare, please email or call your State Representative and State Senator and ask them to support this important funding.

Use this link to quickly find your legislators and access a short email template you can copy, paste, and personalize:
https://form.jotform.com/260634857349064

We are deeply grateful to Tennessee Senator Becky Massey, Dawn White, Mark Pody, State Senator London Lamar, State Senator Rusty Crowe, State Senator Richard Briggs and Tom Hatcher District 2 for co‑sponsoring SA221 in the Senate--and to Representative David Hawk for leading this effort in the House with HA224!

Thank you for standing with TNSTEP and helping make this funding a reality.