DDA Awards Grant Funding for Respite Ministries

NASHVILLE – 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 the same dedication they themselves offer.”

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

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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.