Human Resources

Habilitation Therapist Technician

Overview of position and responsibilities:

Habilitation Therapy Technicians perform vocational and habilitation therapy technical work providing support for people with disabilities to live happy and healthy lives. HTT's have an interest in working in a challenging and rewarding career supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their home and community by providing vocational, habilitation training, therapy, and supervisory support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assists and/or facilitates the implementation of an individualized support plan (“ISP”) to achieve specific outcomes derived from the person's preferences, needs, and interests.
• Ensures the people’s home, special equipment, supplies, and transport vehicles are available, clean, and free of safety hazards.
• Ensures meals are prepared and nutrition plans are followed.
• Ensures personal careis carried out, ISPs are implemented, and Quarterly Personal Property Inventory are carried out and documented

Social Counselor 2

Overview of position and responsibilities:

Service Coordinators (Social Counselor 2) provide case management for families with children birth to three years old with developmental delays or disabilities within the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS). Service Coordinators are responsible for the oversight, facilitation, and collaboration in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) to improve child and family outcomes.  Responsibilities include:

• Engaging families in the development of the IFSP
• Working with families in coordinating, evaluating, and monitoring service delivery
• Ensuring that services are individualized and family guided
• Ensuring that supports and services are provided according to required timelines, including timely documentation
• Ensuring families understand the Rights of Infants and Toddlers Eligible for Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS)
• Coordinating a transition plan implemented during early intervention and completed at age three when the child exits TEIS
• Collaborating with other IFSP team members working with each child and family
• Participating in ongoing professional development opportunities

“I always knew I wanted to place myself in a position to help children and families thrive with my career. Working at TEIS allows me to enrich children’s lives by empowering their caregivers with knowledge and coordinating needed services to help children and families accomplish their goals.”
Ashley Taylor, Service Coordinator, SW POE Office.

“I always knew I wanted to work with children and families. I am continually grateful for the opportunity to support children and families through TEIS. TEIS provides me with the opportunity to see positive outcomes and interactions on a daily basis.”
Anna Bolin is a Program Coordinator and has worked for TEIS for 10½ years, and for the State of Tennessee for 23 years.  She welcomes the positive work environment with DIDD/TEIS that allows her to grow as a professional to better serve children and families of Tennessee.    

“People supported meeting a small goal is just as rewarding to witness the big ones they meet.”– Ashleigh Benton, Habilitation Therapy Technician at DIDD East Tennessee Homes
Ashleigh has been working as a Habilitation Therapy Technician at DIDD for 7 years. She says having the chance to support people on a day-to-day basis to reach their goals is what drives her to work. Ashleigh was nominated by her colleagues and selected for DIDD’s #DSPsofTN spotlight for her efforts to encourage persons supported to be as independent as possible and always being up for helping out and uplifting others. 

“I always knew that I wanted to support people. We all have different visions for our lives, and we all have the right to live a fulfilling and rewarding life no matter the abilities or visions we have.” - Holly Bernard, DIDD Director of Program Operations at East Tennessee Homes
Holly Bernard began volunteering and working at the Department at age 17 after graduating high school. She’s been with DIDD for 22 ½ years. Holly was nominated for this month’s #DIDDatWork employee spotlight by her colleagues for working tirelessly at DIDD East Tennessee Homes to make sure the people we support live the lives they want.

“My father was a disabled veteran and promoted the importance of education and instilling a strong work ethic for his daughters. I feel that in working for the State of Tennessee, I honor my family and serve families in need of advocacy, while promoting our organizations values of integrity, commitment, respect and excellence.” - Lisa Chapman, Middle TN Incident Management Coordinator
Lisa has been serving and supporting Tennesseans with disabilities at DIDD for 7 years and 11 months. She was nominated as this month’s #DIDDatWork employee spotlight for being a reliable resource and support for families, and her consistent work to prioritize the health and safety of the people she supports. Lisa says she has family members with disabilities and is passionate about connecting families with community resources to improve the quality of their lives.