Services To Eligible Individuals

Individuals determined eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services work closely with a VR Counselor to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) which outlines a program of services that leads to successful employment.

The types of services provided are based on the needs of the individual and are designed to help the individual to become employable. Vocational rehabilitation staff will assess needs in order to determine an appropriate employment objective and provide appropriate services. Certain services depend upon the individual meeting economic need guidelines, while other services may be provided without regard to economic need.

  • Diagnosis
  • Counseling & Guidance
  • Treatment
  • Training
  • Maintenance & Transportation
  • Special Emphasis Programs
  • Transition Services from School to Work
  • Personal Care Assistance Program
  • Rehabilitation Technology Services
  • Job Placement
  • Post-Employment Services
  • Support Employment:  Supported employment is a Vocational Rehabilitation service delivery model that provides services for persons with the most significant disabilities who have not normally been able to participate in work that can lead to competitive employment in integrated work settings.  The unique feature of Supported Employment is the ongoing support it provides to individuals to help them maintain employment.
  • Client Assistance Program:  The Client Assistance Program (CAP) helps individuals who have concerns or difficulties when applying for or receiving vocational rehabilitation (VR) services funded under the Rehabilitation Act.  CAP is administered by Disability Rights Tennessee.
  • Independent Living Services - It is the mission of the State's Independent Living Services of Tennessee to promote independent living and support the independent living philosophy, its practices, and its values to all citizens while providing comprehensive services to individuals with significant disabilities.  Services may include: transportation, interpreting services for the deaf, reader services, teaching services, orientation and mobility services for the blind, services to family members, job placement services, referral services, telecommunications, sensor, and other technological aids and devices, and appropriate preventive services to decrease the need for similar services in the future.  The state program also serves elderly blind individuals with innovative methods and approaches to providing independent living services.  Below are independent living services entities:

Centers for Independent Living Services

Tennessee has six (6) Centers for Independent Living. Their mission is to promote a philosophy of independent living, including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, individual and system advocacy and transition, in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society.  Centers provide the five (5) Core Services: Information and Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Counseling, Individual and System Advocacy and Transition.  Centers also provide an array of other independent living services. The centers are listed below along with their service areas and contact information.

Memphis Center for Independent Living (MCIL)

The Memphis Center for Independent Living serves Shelby County.

Sandi Klink, Executive Director
1633 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
Telephone: (901) 726-6404
Fax: (901) 726-6521
Sandi@mcil.org


Jackson Center for Independent Living (JCIL)

Jackson Center for Independent Living serves 8 counties (Madison, Carroll, Crockett, Gibson, Henderson, Chester, Hardeman, and Haywood).

Beth James, Executive Director
1981 Hollywood Drive
Jackson, TN 38305
Telephone: (731) 668-2211
Fax: (731) 668-0406
beth@jcil.tn.org


TARP Center for Independent Living (TARP)

The TARP Center for Independent Living serves 8 counties (Benton, Dickson, Henry, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Stewart, and Weakley).

Denise Wardle, Executive Director
1027 Mineral Wells Ave., Suite 3
Paris, TN  38242
Telephone: (731) 644-0026 Toll-free (866) 895-8277
Fax: (731) 644-1116
denisew@tarp1.org


EMPOWER TENNESSEE

Empower Tennessee serves 7 counties (Cheatham, Davidson, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson). 

Brandon Brown, Executive Director
955 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206
Telephone: (615) 292-5803 Toll-free (866) 992-4568
info@empowerTN.org
brandonb@empowertn.org


disABILITY Resource Center (dRC)

disABILITY Resource Center serves Knox County.

Lillian Burch, Executive Director
900 E. Hill, Suite 120
Knoxville, TN 37915
Telephone: (865) 637-3666
Fax: (865) 637-5616
lburch@drctn.org


Tri-State Resource and Advocacy Center

Tri-State Resource and Advocacy Center serves 10 counties (Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, and Sequatchie). 

Mark Woolfall, Executive Director
6925 Shallowford Road, Suite 300
Chattanooga, TN 37421
Telephone: (423) 892-4774 Toll-free (800) 868-8724
Fax: (423) 892-9866
ilctrac@bellsouth.net