General information about caregiver support programs for adults with disabilities offered by GNRC and other Tennessee agencies.
As the Area Agency on Aging and Disability Services (AAAD) the Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) facilitates several programs funded by both the State of Tennessee and the federal government to improve the lives of disabled adults and their caregivers.
These programs include:
- GNRC conducts screening for TennCare CHOICES in Long-Term Services and Supports (CHOICES for short). CHOICES offers services, called Home and Community Based Services or HCBS, to help adults aged 21 or older with physical disabilities, and seniors aged 65 or older, live in their own home or in their community for as long as possible. Call our Information and Assistance Hotline to begin the screening process for CHOICES at 615-255-1010 or 866-836-6678.
- For individuals not eligible for CHOICES, there is the State-funded alternative, OPTIONS. Clients enrolled in the OPTIONS program may receive homemaker, personal care, and home delivered meal services, based on their needs and availability of service providers. There is no income requirements to the program, though some individuals may be subject to sliding scale fees. Clients for OPTIONS must first be deemed ineligible for CHOICES, a process begun by contacting the GNRC Information and Assistance Hotline at 615-255-1010 or 866-836-6678.
- GNRC facilitates a Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) which provides referrals, educational resources, and funding to support the needs of caregivers. You may elect to pursue the GNRC Reimbursement Voucher Program, which reimburses the caregiver up to $216 per month for the cost of hiring a respite provider. To learn more about the program and begin the screening process to enroll in FCSP call our helpline at (615)255-1010 or (866)836-6678.
What help is there beyond GNRC for caregivers of adults with disabilities?
- The Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) offers several programs to improve the lives of adults with disabilities and their caregivers. DIDD’s Family Support Program offers flexible services, such as respite care, day care services, home modifications, transportation and homemaker services. Visit DIDD’s website linked above for more information about their programs or call the toll-free intake line for Middle Tennessee at (800)654-4839.
- Centers for Independent Living (CIL) offer information and referral services, peer support, skills training, advocacy, and other support services for people with disabilities. There are two CILs that fall within the same region at the GNRC, these include:
- Empower Tennessee which serves people with disabilities in Cheatham, Davidson, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson County. Contact Empower Tennessee for more information about their services by emailing info@empowertn.org or call 615-200-6028.
- T.A.R.P serves people with disabilities in Dickson, Humphreys, Houston, Montgomery and Stewart County. Contact T.A.R.P. for services through their website linked above, or by calling their toll-free number 866-895-8277.
- Tennessee Disability Pathfinder is a free, statewide information and referral service to help people with disabilities, and their caregivers, connect with resources, communities and professional support. Learn more about their services by visiting their website linked above or by calling 1-800-640-4636.
Have more questions? Call Our Helpline
Call our Information and Assistance Hotline to learn more about any of GNRC's programs and services. 615-255-1010 or 866-836-6678