Family Voices of Tennessee

08/24/2026

Come celebrate with us!

AbleVoices is opening its doors to the community for "Inside the Mission", an Open House and 7th Birthday Celebration.

Join us on Thursday, September 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Forest Hills UMC in Brentwood. Drop in anytime to tour our offices and studios, meet our photographers, staff, and volunteers, and learn more about the programs and creative opportunities happening at AbleVoices.

We’ll also share more about how you can get involved, volunteer, and support the continued growth of our mission. And of course, we’ll have complimentary sandwiches and birthday cake.

Come see our impact in action and celebrate seven years of AbleVoices with us!

Follow and share this post to help spread the word! We hope to see you there!

RSVP: https://forms.gle/AYDdv8H2TCKYargQA

08/24/2026

👋 We’re Back!

We know it’s been a little quiet around here — and we’re sorry for the absence! But we’re excited to reconnect with our community and share what’s happening with the Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee.

We’re working to make our social media a place where our community can find support, education, resources, events, and encouragement for people living with epilepsy and their families. 💜

🌐 Visit our NEW website: epilepsysouth.org
📘 Follow our NEW page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DpQLauUtb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Be sure to follow along — we have lots of important information, upcoming events, community resources, and stories to share!

Thank you for being here and for supporting our mission. We’re glad to be back! 💜

EpilepsyCommunity WeAreBack

08/21/2026

We had a great time at The Arc Tennessee’s Tennessee Disability MegaConference! We enjoyed meeting attendees at our table and presenting with the Tennessee Department of Health Youth Advisory Council about Advocating in the Medical Setting from a Youth Perspective.

08/18/2026

The funding will expand the lab’s work to improve the development of preterm infants through the therapeutic power of music.

08/18/2026

We are excited to share What to Know About Food Allergies in School and Out-of-School Settings, a resource developed through a partnership between Family Voices and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The PowerPoint presentation was created by a youth leadership team made up of youth ages 14-18 living with food allergies. Youth are encouraged to use the presentation in their schools, clubs, teams, and community programs to help raise awareness of food allergies in schools and OST. We encourage you to share this resource with anyone who may find it useful.

Download the free youth-created presentation: https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/school-health/management-of-chronic-conditions-in-schools/allergy-and-anaphylaxis-management-in-schools/

08/18/2026

Did you know applying for SNAP is a three-step process? To keep your application moving forward, follow these steps:
1️⃣ Submit your application online, at an office or by mail.
2️⃣Turn in your verification information. Your verification information may include documents or personal records that show your social security number, identification, residence, income, resources, shelter costs, utility cost and household details that show that you need and qualify for SNAP. If you apply for SNAP online, Truv can help you avoid uploading or mailing copies of records and documents.
3️⃣Complete your eligibility interview on time. You can schedule your interview via the One DHS Customer Portal.
Missing a step in the application process could cause your application to be cancelled or denied. To learn more about each step and avoid mistakes that could impact your application, visit our Applying for SNAP webpage at https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/applying-for-services.html.

08/14/2026

08/14/2026

As the new school year begins, we invite you to join us for TNSTEP's Family Connection Circle, a learning and community-building group for Tennessee families of children and youth (birth to 26) with disabilities. We're kicking things off with a FREE two-part online Collaborative Advocacy training designed to help parents feel more confident participating in IEP meetings!

📅 August 18 & 25
🕖 7:00–8:15 p.m. ET / 6:00–7:15 p.m. CT
✔️ Please plan to attend both sessions.

During this interactive series, you'll:
• Learn about your role on your child's IEP team and how to prepare for meetings.
• Build stronger partnerships with your school team.
• Practice new skills through small-group activities based on real-life scenarios.
• Connect with other families across Tennessee.

The series will be presented by Crystal Sanford, Founder of Sanford Autism Advocacy Group, and Dr. Angie Balsley, Founder of Unified Leadership and Senior Consultant with CADRE—two nationally recognized leaders in collaborative special education practices.

Register forSession 1:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u9s9S3XWSI-OxEuQUdQC3g

Register for Session 2:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/9VFT-bWCQ1qi5xHRPzesDA

08/11/2026

08/10/2026

SibShops meetings taking place at Vanderbilt
SibShops offer support for brothers and sisters of kids with special needs, including intellectual and developmental disabilities, special medical needs, or mental health concerns. These gatherings offer a safe space for kids to come and be kids, with peer support, educational programming, and fun activities like cooking, crafts, and games. For more information on attending an upcoming SibShops gathering, email [email protected].