The Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) recently awarded nearly $750,000 of grant funding to faith-based communities and community nonprofits aimed at creating and expanding respite ministries.
The department is distributing $748,797 to 35 faith-based and community 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with the purpose of creating respite ministries or programs that provide people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families a safe place of rest. Grantees were able to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding.
“We are pleased to provide this funding to support essential respite ministries, giving parents and caregivers valuable time to recharge,” said DDA Commissioner Brad Turner. “The significance of respite care cannot be overstated, as it shows parents of children with disabilities that their child’s well-being is cared for with dedication and compassion.”
An example of respite includes hosting an event staffed by trained professionals, allowing parents to enjoy an evening out. This funding gives organizations the ability to create a respite plan tailored to their community’s needs. A complete list of organizations receiving funding and their totals can be found below.
Middle Tennessee
Tennessee Caregiver Coalition, Nashville – $25,000
Grace Church of Nazarene, Nashville – $25,000
The Christian Legacy Foundation, Nashville – $25,000
The Village Church, Antioch – $25,000
Grace Chapel, Franklin – $25,000
My Brother Rocks the Spectrum, Franklin – $25,000
Church of the City of Franklin, Franklin – $25,000
Possibility Place, Murfreesboro – $25,000
Concord Community Church, Brentwood – $25,000
First Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg – $25,000
Leoma Baptist Church, Leoma – $24,947
ThriftLOVE, Columbia – $17,500
Tusculum Church, Nashville – $16,200
Paradise Ranch, Springfield – $15,000
Belle Aire Baptist Church, Murfreesboro – $11,093.12
Green Hill Church, Mount Juliet – $9,250
Saint Henry Catholic Church, Nashville – $4,000
West Tennessee
Daughters of Zion, Memphis – $25,000
Jesus People Baptist, Memphis – $25,000
Joy Life 901, Memphis – $25,000
Highland Church of Christ, Cordova – $25,000
Saint Patrick Presbyterian, Collierville – $25,000
West Dyersburg Church of Christ, Dyersburg – $25,000
Hope Church, Memphis – $24,995.67
Hope Presbyterian Church Special Needs Ministry, Memphis – $24,918.98
Covenant United Methodist Church, Cordova – $24,352
RMG Compassionate Helpers, McKenzie- $10,270.25
Creative Abilities, Newbern – $8,500
East Tennessee
Hope & Thrive Academy, Greenville – $25,000
Central Baptist Church of Bearden, Knoxville – $25,000
Christ Covenant, Knoxville – $25,000
iYouth Limited, Chattanooga – $25,000
Foster Faith Childcare, Oak Ridge – $25,000
The Meadow Church of God, Maryville – $25,000
Gateway to Independence, Maryville – $7,770
A total of 41 faith-based organizations and nonprofits applied for the grant.
“At DDA, we are seeing firsthand the urgent need to allow caregivers short-term relief, giving them time to rest, travel, or spend time with other family and friends,” said Turner. “We believe this funding will have a significant impact on building and improving respite ministries for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.”
Watch a video about how respite ministries are benefitting Tennessee families: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXh2iFRVsGU>
About the Department of Disability and Aging
The Department of Disability and Aging is the state agency responsible for oversight of services and support to 1.5 million older adults and Tennesseans with disabilities. The department is the result of a merger between the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disabilities, effective July 1, 2024. Every day, the department strives to support people to live rewarding and fulfilling lives through Medicaid waiver Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), and a wide range of services and supports for older adults and adults with disabilities. DDA also provides services to infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays through the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), and children under the age of 18 with disabilities or complex medical needs through the Katie Beckett Program. The department supports people to live the lives they envision for themselves by ensuring people are free to exercise rights, engage with their broader communities and experience optimal health. DDA is the first state service delivery system in the nation to receive Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation from the Council on Quality and Leadership. It has also been recognized as a national leader in its efforts to increase competitive, community-based employment outcomes for people with disabilities and its commitment to enhancing independence through Enabling Technology.
