TENNESSEE

Tennessee does not have an Olmstead task force. However, in an effort to guide the development and implementation of a state plan, a group of disability service system stakeholders created the Tennessee Olmstead Coalition in 2002. The coalition's primary goal is to "... be a part of the solution to develop community supports and services so that people with disabilities have the freedom to make meaningful choices about where and how to live and will be able to obtain needed supports to maintain their personal freedom."

In July 2003, the coalition released an "Olmstead Position Paper," which recommends that the governor establish an Olmstead Oversight Task Force "immediately." The position paper recommends that 51 percent of the task force be composed of people with disabilities or their families and representatives of disability advocacy groups. The remaining members of the task force would be state government representatives or representatives of other stakeholder groups.

The coalition identifies roles a task force should play, including identifying barriers, investigating promising practices, reviewing existing programs, and identifying needed programs based on waiting lists and assessment results. The coalition suggests a task force draft and submit any legislation that may be needed to restructure state government for greater efficiency or for improved use of revenues.

Some other recommendations of the coalition include:

• Issuing an Executive Order to establish a Tennessee Olmstead goals and an implementation process;
• Creating an Olmstead Oversight Task Force;
• Establishing home and community-based services waivers ample to meet consumer needs;
• Funding authorization that follows the consumer through a variety of community options;
• Providing a consumer choice system in all services and supports; and
• Developing independent needs assessments.

Tennessee's statewide Oversight Committee for the Real Choice Systems Change grant, Housing within Reach, held its initial meeting in May 2003. The committee includes representatives from consumers, private and public stakeholders and the legislature. During the meeting, committee member reviewed the two primary goals of the grant:

1. "Designing and implementing an effective, consumer directed and accessible housing resource system for eligible Tennesseans; and
2. Effectively reducing the stigma of mental illness and co-occurring disorders in order to provide a more welcoming environment for all citizens."

Other objectives include developing a comprehensive housing resource Web site, conducting an annual "Housing Academy" for consumers, providers, agencies and other stakeholders to provide an intensive training on utilizing housing resources; and conducting a longitudinal evaluation project to assess the needs of people who are moving from institutions to the community.

Also during 2003, the Tennessee Olmstead Coalition developed a listserv, information packets and weekly conference calls; conducted a needs assessment of all institutional facilities in the state; produced a video about the Olmstead decision and needs in Tennessee; attended national training programs on Olmstead; pursued grants; and organized several statewide meetings with consumers, providers and stakeholders.