2021 Social Work Day on the Hill
March 31, 2021 Dear Social Work Day on the Hill Attendee:
The Tennessee Chapter of NASW welcomes you to the 2021 Social Work Day on the Hill: Social Workers are Essential Everyday Tennessee’s Social Workers provide essential services to thousands of people, including some of the most vulnerable in our society. This day is a special opportunity to learn about how to let Tennessee legislators know about the important work social workers do across the state and to share information on issues of concern to our profession. This is a day where attendees also get to make an Essential difference by being involved in the public policy process.
Attendees at prior events successfully advocated: • to ensure only persons with social work degrees could use the title social worker, • to pass multi-level social worker licensure, • to restore important funding for mental health services, and • To support recognition of the important role of social workers in public schools
Social workers and social work students can again make a difference in 2021.
We hope you have a great time today and that you use Social Work Day on the Hill as a stepping stone to continued involvement in working for your clients and your profession through the public policy process.
Best regards,
Brian Williams, LAPSW Karen L. Franklin, LAPSW NASW-TN President NASW-TN Executive Director
NASW-TN Board of Directors
Brian Neal Williams, LAPSW Gabriel Bolling, LMSW Rodques Jones, MSW Nashville Johnson City Memphis
Susan Gray, PhD, LCSW-FL, ACSW Christy Hickman, LCSW Kizzy M. Rogers, LMSW, LSSW, BSW Monterey Knoxville Memphis
Ragan Schriver, PsyD, MSW Erricka Hill, LCSW Alexis Ridley, BSW Knoxville Chattanooga Antioch
Lutwan Rayford-Taylor, MSW Trish Hayes, LCSW Cory Whitfield, BSW Memphis College Grove Elizabethton
Samantha Dutton, PhD, LCSW Kylyend Robertson Damoria Walker South Pittsburg Jackson Bristol
Bewindi Bobb, LCSW Memphis
Conference Volunteers
Policy Presentation Judges Bo Walker, Moccasin Bend Susan Gray, Barry University Belinda Gardner, Agape Child and Family Services Kennedy Tyska, University of Kentucky Lauren Hopper Lee, Vanderbilt
NASW - TN Staff
Karen Franklin Melissa West Haley Miller Kennedy Tyska Executive Director Program Manager Sponsorship University of Kentucky Coordinator MSW Intern NASW TN Chapter Would Like to Thank Our Sponsors Prime Sponsors UT College of Social Work Southern Adventist University NASW Assurance Services
Licensure Information and Policy Makers Panel Sponsor Networking Table Sponsor TN Association of Alcohol, TN Board of Social Work Drug and other Addiction Services Award Presentation Sponsor TN Association of School Policy Contest Sponsor Social Workers Union University Other Exhibitors and Advertisers Child Advocacy Centers of TN Mental Health America NASW-TN University of Memphis University of Alabama Youth Villages Western Kentucky University Disability Rights TN Coalition of Black Social Workers King University National Alliance on Mental Illness TN Assoc of Mental Health TN Department of Mental Health and Organizations Substance Abuse Services Help4TN
University Partners Austin Peay State University Tennessee State University Belmont University TN Wesleyan University East TN State University Trevecca Nazarene University King University Union University Lincoln Memorial University UT Chattanooga Lipscomb University UT College of Social Work Middle TN State University UT Martin Southern Adventist University University of Memphis
NASW-TN Chapter encourages you to stop by and visit with our Sponsors and Exhibitors.
Table of Contents
Agenda for the Day….……………………….…....Page 5
Tips for Effective Legislative Visits…..…………..Page 6
2021 NASW-TN Chapter Legislative Prioritie….Page 11
About Social Workers ………………...………....Page 14
TN School Districts without Social Workers……Page 15
Student Policy Poster Contest …………………...Page 16
2021 NASW-TN Award Winners………………...Page 21
Members of the Tennessee General Assembly..…Page 29
Conference Sponsor and Exhibitor Ads…….…...Page 35
Social Work Day on the Hill Page 4 Agenda for the Day Social Work Day on the Hill
March 31, 2021 Agenda
7:45-8:15 Login, explore the event benefits and visit sponsors and exhibitors
8:15-8:30 Opening comments and Prime Sponsor Recognition * UT College of Social Work * Southern Adventist University * NASW Assurance Services
8:30-9:30 Policy Makers Panel Sponsored by TN Association of Alcohol, Drug and other Addiction Services
* Lisa Primm, Disability Rights TN * Keith Ekhator, Merto Public Schools * Kristen Davis, Nurture the Next * Kristen Keeley-Dinger, The Healing Trust * Bo Walker, Moccasin Bend
9:30-10:00 Networking tables and visit exhibitors Sponsored by TN Board of Social Workers
10:00-10:50 BSW Policy Presentations Sponsored by Union University
10:50-11:00 Stretch break and visit exhibitors
11:00-11:45 MSW Policy Presentations
11:45-12:15 Lunch break and visit exhibitors
12:15-12:30 Overview of visiting Legislators in a Virtual Environment Karen Franklin, NASW-TN Executive Director
12:30-12:45 Special Guests Marie Williams, LCSW Commissioner of the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Matt Yancy, Deputy Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Community Programming
12:45-1:30 State Award Winner Presentation Sponsored by TN Association of School Social Workers
1:30-1:45 Closing remarks and visit exhibitors Thank You for Taking Time to Make a Difference! Helpful Tips for Making Virtual Legislative Visits
Over 600 social work students, faculty and practitioners are participating in the 2021 Social Work Day on the Hill on March 31st, and we can make a difference. Please plan to schedule legislative visits in additional to our program activities.
5 Key reasons to meet with your legislators!
1. Educate legislators about what social workers do and about your University’s social work program 2. Share with legislators about key issues of concern to social workers 3. Practice your policy skills 4. Start and/or continue to build relationships with key decision-makers in Tennessee 5. Experience the excitement of working together to make a difference on issues impacting social work and clients
Even during COVID with many increased restrictions on physical presence and the legislature, it is still easy to be involved in legislative advocacy. Most meetings now take place online, and there are many things you can do to make sure that your advocacy efforts are effective on this new platform.
Steps for online meetings: 1) In advance: A. You can find the contact information for every legislator and their staff member here for the Senate (https://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/) and here for the House (https://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/) B. Call or email asking if you can set up a meeting with the legislator. Give general times that work for you but prepare to be flexible– they are very busy. State the reason you wish to meet including that you are participating in the virtual Social Work Day on the Hill on March 31. C. If in a group, try to have at least one member who is a constituent of the legislator. These are the voices most important to a public servant. In the email and/or phone call mention that you live in their district. i. To find out who your legislator is, visitthis link (https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/Apps/fmlv3/districts.aspx) and enter your address and zip code. D. Once a time is agreed upon send a meeting link and thank them in advance. 2) If you are unable to speak to the legislator directly, ask to speak with a staff member who works on the issues you will discuss. A. Staff members are just as important to your advocacy efforts as legislators. Whenever you interact with a legislative staff member remember to be polite, gracious, and respectful.
Prepare for the meeting: NASW-TN has prepared special handouts for Social Work Day on the Hill attendees on the Social Work profession and a few key issues before the legislature the week of March 31. Familiarize yourself with these materials prior to the meeting. Email a copy of the Social Workers are Essential and School Social Work materials to the legislator the day before your meeting. We have one of the largest annual days on the hill of any Tennessee organization. Speaking with a unified voice on these issues is important to impact the issues addressed and to strengthen our work on numerous other issues.
We expect some groups may want to also discuss an issue addressed in a university policy presentation. If you address issues beyond those on the handout please be sure and ask legislators to take a specific action on the legislation you are discussing. (Vote for or against Bill Number ….)
During the Meeting 1) Make sure to keep the call brief by sticking to one or a very small number of topics and always be courteous. Your meeting will likely only last 15-30 minutes, so it is important to stay focused 2) Identify yourself as a social work student as well as a constituent living in their district (if this is true). Share with the legislator how many social work students and faculty are attending Social Work Day on the Hill from your university (if you know this information). 3) Remind the legislator about the Social Workers are Essential and School Social Work handouts. Highlight the “We Ask Your Help” points. 4) Share why these issues are important to you and/or your community. (Personalize the information NASW has pro- vided.) A. DO NOT use technical language or jargon. Keep your explanation easy to understand and to the point. 5) Ask the legislator directly “can I count on your vote on these issues. A. They may not answer this directly, and that is okay. DO NOT pressure them on this point. 6) After the meeting, follow up with a personal email that reiterates your call and thank them again for their time.
Important reminders and general tips: • Be on time for meetings, no matter how you connect. • Be positive and friendly. • Do your homework before the meeting, about the legislator and the issue. • Be prepared to answer questions about the Social Workers are Essential and School Social Work handouts. If you don’t know the answer say, “I don’t know off the top of my head, but I will find out and send that information to you today.” • Provide reliable information. • If you say you will provide additional information, be sure to get back to them in a timely manner (within 24 hours or the timeframe you’ve agreed upon). Email NASW-TN’s Executive Director, Karen Franklin ([email protected]) or our Legislative Liaison, Stewart Clifton ([email protected]) for additional information. • The Social Workers are Essential handout lists NASW-TN contacts for additional information. If you discuss other topics, provide the names of the people who can be resorcesand give additional information. • Follow up with a thank you letter. • DO NOT: Overstay Threaten Burn bridges Attack the Legislator or his/her positions Ridicule government or politics Be partisan
Remember: there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies in politics. Do not burn any bridges that you may need to walk over later.
If you are unable to schedule an online meeting we encourage you to send a courteous email to the legislator with the Social Workers Are Essential and School Social Work materials attached. We suggest you copy and paste the We Ask for Your Help points in your cover note.
Social Work Day on the Hill Page 7
Ten Tips on Visits with Legislators (These tips are also for future efforts beyond SWDOH)
1. Make an appointment beforehand. Flexibility is important. Legislators have many demands on their time, sometimes without notice. In-person meetings are the best although zoom meetings work out well too.
2. Build a relationship before you need the legislator’s vote or action: • Identify yourself as a group member/representative and act accordingly. • Send a mailed note or email when an official does something worth noting positively, such as casting a vote you agree with or receiving an honor. • Introduce yourself when you see the elected official, whether at a school function, a trip to the store, or some other event. Any opportunity to build the relationship should be used. • Call and make an appointment to meet so you can get to know the decision-maker.
3. Do your homework on decision-maker and issue. Homework is best done before the test.
4. Meet with a staffer if the legislator is unavailable. Sometimes meeting with a key staffer is almost as good as meeting with a legislator. Don’t turn that down if offered.
5. Respect the decision-maker and the office. You can disagree without threatening or disrespecting. (Respect does not mean like or agree with)
6. Provide short, clear information, without social work jargon. No technical articles that go on for pages that they will likely not read. Best points in one pager or the verbal equivalent.
7. Don’t overstay, threaten, burn bridges, attack the legislator for his/her record on your issue(s), or criticize government or politics.
8. Know that there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies. Today’s opponent is tomorrow’s ally. You can certainly be firm and reasonably passionate about your position, but you should never be hostile.
9. Set priorities and be focused. Discuss one issue at a time. Ask for a vote on your position and try to get an answer but remember it’s legitimate for elected officials to reserve judgment on a bill until they have had time to consider.
10. Thank the legislator for meeting with you. After the visit, follow up with any information that you promised during the visit. When you leave the meeting, your work is often just beginning. Arrange for any unanswered questions to be addressed and for others to contact.
Prepared by Clifton Government Relations,
NASW-TN Legislative Liaison Stewart Clifton Lobbyist, Attorney, Consultant [email protected]
Colleen Gill Legislative & Operations Coordinator [email protected] Important Tennessee Government Facts You Probably Would Not Remember Even if You Had Been Paying Attention in Civics Class
You do not have to be an expert on the legislative process to be a part of that process. These facts and observations may help you become an effective part of the legislative process.
1. Tennessee’s state legislature is known as the General Assembly.
2. The General Assembly can add, repeal or modify (amend) our existing laws. Together with the executive and judicial branches, the legislative branch is our state government.
3. The General Assembly consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
4. The Senate has 33 members who serve 4-year terms. The terms are staggered with half of the seats being up for election every two years. The Senate elects the Lieutenant Governor, also known as Speaker of the Senate, who appoints committees and committee officers.
5. The House has 99 members who serve 2-year terms.
6. The House elects the Speaker of the House. The Speaker appoints committees and committee officers.
7. The legislature meets annually from mid-January to May and sometimes into June, depending on circumstances of politics and agendas.
8. Legislators are part-time and are given limited staff. Pay is $22,667 annually plus expenses.
9. Senate & House districts are population-based. Redistricting occurs after each federal census so a redistricting plan will be developed in 2122 (census data was late due to COVID).
10. Legislators have two primary roles, leading and representing. One can argue that these roles are often in conflict. For our purposes, if public opinion in the district agrees with your position then you obviously must remind Rep. Smith that he is first and foremost a representative of the people. If public opinion is against your position, then you must remind Sen. Smith that she was elected to be a leader and must vote her convictions.
11. Committees Rule! Bills are voted on in committees before they are considered by the full House or Senate. Bills die if they don’t pass in committee and almost always pass the full House and Senate if they do pass in committee.
12. The Governor must be at least 30 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and a citizen of Tennessee seven years preceding his election.
13. The Governor's term is four years. Tennessee governors are limited to no more than two consecutive terms. The Governor is paid a salary of $170,000 and is furnished an official residence and expenses for its operation.
14. The General Assembly has sole power to pass bills, but the Governor must receive every bill before it can become law. The Governor has the right to approve a bill by signing it into law; veto the bill with objections in writing; or fail to return a bill with objections during the ten-day period after it is presented -- then the bill will become law without the Governor’s signature.
Recent Changes in the Tennessee Legislators - Post 2020 Election
An usually small number of new of members were elected in 2020. Out of 33 Senators 2 are new. Out of 99 Representatives 10 are new. The General Assembly is overwhelmingly Republican. The Senate has 27 Republicans and 6 Democrats., a net gain of 1 Democrat. The House has 73 Republicans and 26 Democrats. No change.
For more Information, see www.capitol.tn.gov for the extremely useful state legislative web page. It includes brief legislative bios and photos, legislative calendars, bill search capacity by bill number and subject matter, and lots of other good stuff. You can view every committee meeting and every floor session as it happens and later by using this website. You can also find out who represents you.
Social Work Day on the Hill Page 9 Source: TN General Assembly Website (2019) NASW-TN 2021 Legislative Priority Issues
Active Priority Issues
Social Workers Are Essential Social workers are essential to community well-being. We will help Tennessee leaders understand that professional social workers are found in every facet of community life—in schools, hospitals, mental health facilities, senior centers, elected office, private practices, prisons, military, corporations, and in numerous public and private agencies that serve and advocate for individuals, families and populations in need. Social workers are also on the front lines helping individuals, families and communities cope with and rebound from COVID-19, medical emergencies, economic challenges, and racial injustice. NASW-TN will also help decision-makers know how they can support our efforts.
Preserving Tennessee’s Social Infrastructure Tennessee’s social infrastructure, made up largely of public/private partnerships and federal/state and local partnerships, has been strengthened and refined over the last 3 or 4 decades with bipartisan leadership of governors, legislators and citizens. TANF and other state and federal public benefits are important components of this social infrastructure. NASW-TN will continue to work with others to preserve and strengthen Tennessee’s important social infrastructure with an emphasis on enabling children and families to achieve long-term stability.
Promoting Available and Appropriate Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Services NASW is committed to enhancing the well-being of people living with mental health and substance abuse conditions and in working towards increased access to appropriate services and interventions. The need for access to appropriate services and interventions is of particular concern as Tennessee continues to address the COVID-19, Racism and Opioid pandemics. NASW-TN’s efforts will include working collaboratively with other consumer and professional groups including the Tennessee Coalition on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Tennessee Pre-Arrest Diversion Coalition and the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations. We will also work with the TASMIE coalition to exclude individuals with severe mental illness from the death penalty.
Racial Injustice- Supporting Inclusion and Opportunities for All NASW-TN supports an inclusive society that provides opportunities for all and in which racial, ethnic, social, sexual orientation, and gender differences and identities are valued and respected. -NASW TN opposes legislation that discriminates on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, political belief, religion, or mental or physical disability. We will increase our focus on the work of anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice in response to the racial injustices that were brought to the forefront in 2020.
Strengthening School Mental Health Services Including Increasing the Number of School Social Workers NASW-TN applauds funding approved in 2020 for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to add School Based Behavioral Health Liaisons in all 95 Tennessee counties. We urge additional funding to support a K-12 Behavioral Health Needs Assessment, and support the assessment including an analysis of current and projected student needs and the availability of school based and community providers to respond to identified needs. We additionally appreciate the 2018 Tennessee General Assembly passing legislation that established a collaborative coordinated by the Tennessee Department of Education to: • Review and refine the roles of school social workers, school counselors, school psychologists, and school nurses, • Identify ways these professionals can collaborate to provide high quality support to students, and • Identify resources to support these efforts.
NASW-TN is concerned that 2018 data continues to reflect that almost 43% of Tennessee’s school districts do not employ any school social workers. We will continue to advocate the importance of increasing the number of school social workers as this structural deficit limits access to professionals that have demonstrated their ability to drive student success in schools.
Social Work Day on the Hill Page 11 NASW-TN 2021 Legislative Priority Issues Partnership Issues (NASW-TN will work with other organizations in monitoring these issues. Our legislative work on these issues may increase if we need to play a strategic role in these areas.)
Adoption and Foster Care NASW believes that every child has a right to a permanent, continuous, and nurturing relationship with a parenting person or people who convey to the child an enduring sense of love and care. We believe public social policy on adoption and foster care should be evidenced-based and focus on the best interests of the child. NASW-TN will work with others to educate policy makers about evidenced-based practice in the area of foster care and adoption. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Social workers know that trauma during childhood can have critical implications throughout the lifespan. NASW-TN applauds the Building Strong Brains initiative and our statewide efforts to address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on local communities. We will continue to support efforts to raise community awareness about the effects of adverse childhood experiences and to develop and implement strategies that will effectively prevent or counter ACEs. Child Care and Early Childhood Education NASW recognizes that all young children deserve excellent early care and education and those high quality early experiences make a difference in children’s lifelong academic and social success. The Tennessee Chapter of NASW will continue to work with other groups to support continuation and expansion of funding for Pre-K classrooms. We also recognize the important role family and environmental factors play in educational development and advocate the involvement of social work professionals in early education programs. Department of Children’s Services The Tennessee Chapter recognizes the important work of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. NASW-TN will work with them to support the professionalism of the child welfare workforce and on initiatives to improve the lives and protection of Tennessee’s children. Environmental Justice NASW applauds the Grand Challenges for Social Work recognition that “the environmental challenges reshaping contemporary societies pose profound risks to human well-being, particularly for marginalized communities.” NASW-TN will join with others in supporting policies that will reduce environmental threats to vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. Ensuring Health Care Coverage for Tennesseans, Including Our Most Vulnerable Access to health care is a critical issue for Tennesseans and for the Tennessee Chapter of NASW. We recognize the importance of: • TennCare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act in providing health care coverage for our state’s children, families, veterans, the elderly and persons with behavioral and other medical challenges, • Understanding and addressing medical debt and its impact on the prosperity and health of Tennesseans, • Federally qualified and faith-based health centers in providing primary care, and • The Coordinated School Health Program in improving student health outcomes and supporting the connection between good health practices, academic achievement, and lifetime wellness. Changes to any of the above programs, including Tennessee’s Medicaid Block Grant Waiver, should be implemented with an emphasis on maintaining and expanding coverage for children, persons with pre-existing conditions and others in need of health care. We must also recognize the cost of gaps in health care coverage on Tennessee communities, especially our rural areas. Homelessness NASW supports the development of comprehensive systems of services and supports for the homeless. We also prioritize services to homeless children, youth and young adults with the goal of ending the cycle of homelessness. We appreciate the Tennessee General Assembly’s support of legislation to in 2018 and 2019 to address the needs of homeless children and youth. Human Trafficking Modern slavery and human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal industries and one of the biggest human rights crises today. NASW-TN commends the response of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Tennessee General Assembly in addressing human trafficking in collaboration with local government and nonprofits. We are impressed with the State being ranked among the best in the nation when it comes to handling human trafficking cases. We continue to support on-going public awareness and action to address human trafficking and slavery in Tennessee. NASW-TN 2021 Legislative Priority Issues
People With Disabilities NASW-TN will work collaboratively with the Tennessee Disability Coalition, Disability Rights Tennessee and other disability groups on budget and policy issues that ensure the rights of people with disabilities to participate fully and equitably in society, with appropriate supports to meet individual needs. Refugee and Immigrant Issues At a national and Chapter level NASW supports immigration and refugee policies that uphold and support equity and human rights, while protecting national security. As professional social workers we are committed to helping our lawmakers and others understand how immigrants and refugees contribute to our communities so that public policies are designed in an environment of mutual respect. Reproductive Rights NASW-TN will track legislation related to reproductive rights and update members when key actions are being considered. Revenue to Provide Crucial Services Tennessee’s tax system provides crucial revenue for services in Tennessee communities. We support efforts to ensure the availability of long-term revenue needed to enhance Tennessee’s progress. Safety Family violence, school violence, child abuse and gun violence are unfortunately part of our society. Tennessee’s social workers intervene and respond to these and other situations regularly. We urge Tennessee ‘s legislative leaders to turn to social workers for crucial information, including information on evidenced based practices, as you develop policies to address violence in our families and communities. Seniors NASW-TN recognizes the crucial efforts of social workers in serving Tennessee’s growing senior population. We support dignified, humane, effective and client-based services for seniors that are consistent with social work values. Service Members and Veterans NASW is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our nation’s service members, veterans, and their families. We will work with others to ensure benefits are available that recognize the important contributions and needs of these residents. Voter Rights NASW and social workers have long supported ensuring that disenfranchised populations have the right to vote. We will continue our work on voter rights and join with others opposing voter disenfranchisement. Web Resources for Tennessee Families NASW-TN has partnered with the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) for many years to ensure web resources are available to assist Tennessee families. We will continue to work jointly with TALS to help public officials understand how social services and legal information can jointly assist their constituents. NASW-TN also commends Tennessee’s outstanding work to make easy to understand information available for families through www.kidcentraltn.com . Women’s Health NASW-TN supports equal and affordable access to comprehensive women's healthcare and will work with legislative and regulatory bodies to develop and implement policies that advance women's health in Tennessee.
Additional Monitoring & Information Dissemination Issues Death Penalty NASW advocates the abolition of the death penalty as this punishment is at variance with social work values. NASW-TN is committed to monitoring this issue and keeping our members informed of developments in Tennessee’s death penalty system. Management Data The Tennessee Chapter of NASW knows the utilization of good data can improve public policy management decisions. We support the development of strong data systems for evaluating and improving the delivery of services to our most vulnerable populations. Transportation NASW-TN will monitor efforts to increase funding for mass transit and other transportation options that increase accessibility for low income and vulnerable populations.
Social Work Day on the Hill Page 13 Social Work Day on the Hill Page 14 Social Work Day on the Hill Page 15 Social Work Day on the Hill Page 16 2021 NASW-TN Social Work Day on the Hill Policy Poster Competition BSW Policy Poster Presentations Middle Tennessee State University HB0003/SB0228 Sophie Falcofsky and Carlisha Norment
HB0003/SB0228 passed the Tennessee State Senate on March 1, 2021 amending the TCA 49 for student participation in public middle and high school interscholastic athletic activities or events. The amendment requires middle and high school students’ gender to be determined by their sex at the time of the student's birth as indicated on their birth certificate. Additionally, HB0003/SB0228 requires adoption and enforcement of policies by the state board of education and public charter schools. HB0003/SB0228 does not support inclusion and opportunities for all, but excludes individuals based on sexual orientation. HB0003/SB0228 also states that the student, parents, or guardians will be required to pay fees associated with verifying the students’ sex at the time of birth and could place a financial burden on a student trying to participate in a sport. The rationale that transgender athletes would have unfair advantages over other athletes stems from an idea of prejudice. There is indirect physiological evidence that there is an unfair advantage for transgender athletes (Jones et al., 2017). Exclusion of transgender students could severely affect these individuals’ mental health. Transgender individuals are already predisposed to have experienced more adverse childhood experiences and have more mental health issues (Schnarrs et al., 2019). Not allowing participation in sports could affect the social, emotional, and physical health of students. HB0003/SB0228 excludes an already at risk and oppressed population of adolescents and could have many consequences, including the loss of Title IX funding because of discriminatory practices.
University of Tennessee College of Social Work Senate Bill 1388 Emily Norris
The decision to become a parent or caregiver is deeply personal, fundamental to the survival of societies across the globe, and necessary to creating nurturing environments in which children can thrive. Bonds created between a parent and child can be legally severed or restricted in extreme circumstances, causing irrevocable damage to the relationship. When examining forms of government and legislative oppression, differently abled individuals have clearly faced barriers in securing even basic rights, some of which are still not assured today. In Tennessee, the rights of differently abled parents are only now being more equitably considered in the realms of child custody and parental rights decisions. Social workers pledge to respect self-determination, and their advocacy work is crucial to enacting anti-oppressive policies. The current Tennessee Code Annotated Section 36 permits unrestricted consideration of disability in the assessment of parental fitness and awarding of child custody. Proposing amendment to these sections, Senate Bill 1388 prohibits the consideration of disability alone in regard to parental fitness unless demonstrating the inability of the parent to meet the child’s needs, or arguing a disability impacts the parent’s capability of caring for the child’s psychological or physical well-being. While long overdue, this amendment still leaves space for biases of social workers and judges to inappropriately strip differently abled parents of the most important relationship in their lives. Social workers must demand and advocate for further amendments that protect fundamental rights of differently abled parents, ensuring they are given equal protection under the law.
Belmont University Stop Solitary for Kids Laurel Flaherty Elizabeth Bowen, Danielle Fite, Mallie Gilligan, Skyler Levine
According to Stop Solitary for Kids, a national campaign to end solitary confinement of youth in detention centers, there is currently no Tennessee law that includes language to prohibit placing youth in isolation while they are in detention centers (Stop Solitary for Kids, 2019). Solitary confinement is defined as “the state of being kept alone in a prison cell away from others,” (Hacker, 2011). This punishment can be administered in response to a variety of behaviors, both significant and insignificant, and can have severe impacts on the juveniles who experience it. In response, House Bill 223 was introduced on January 19, 2021 by Representative Chism, of District 85. This bill seeks to amend the Juvenile Justice Stop Solitary Confinement Act and introduces a new section, which aims to limit the use of solitary confinement within Tennessee juvenile detention centers. The strengths and limitations of this bill will be presented, as will information regarding the direct impact solitary confinement may have on the juveniles of Tennessee. This bill is consistent with the National Association of Social Work’s professional values, and as such social workers should strongly support it. Through limiting the use of solitary confinement in juvenile detention centers, we are able to better support the overall well-being of the juveniles within Tennessee detention centers and work to ensure that all of our state’s young people are treated justly.
East Tennesse State University Teacher’s Discipline Act Lydia Howard, Nelya Stynka, and Kristen Davis
A child's development is critically impacted by the quality of their education—a determining factor in various social, economic, and health outcomes across the lifespan. HB16/SB230 as introduced will enact the "Teacher’s Discipline Act," a process for teachers and other school staff to remove students if their behavior violates school or Local Education Agency discipline policies. This policy is an amendment of Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49 Chapter 6 and provides a six-step process that allows for students to be removed from classrooms. The presentation will review how this bill represents a social justice issue by disproportionately affecting youth of color, youth with disabilities and males. The bill can be amended to better serve all students equitably. Recommendations for improvement include increasing trauma-informed teacher trainings and supports, requiring social workers’ involvement in schools, improving assessment and resources for individuals with unidentified learning disabilities, and developing strengths-based, inclusive policies during our recovery from COVID-19. Social workers are essential for assessing and advocating for all students need and providing educational supports through interdisciplinary education professions. BSW Policy Poster Presentations Continued
Tennessee State University HB0039/SB1035- Jim Coley Rape Survivors Protection Act Demeria Davis and James Kelley
The intent of HB0039/SB1035 is to extend the current provisions, security, and retention of forensic rape kits respective to victims of sexually oriented crimes. It updates current procedures for electronically storing and tracking the rape kit with improved measures of accountability for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the medical examiners, and lab(s) where the kit is to be stored. It assigns an identification to both the victim and the kit and gives each victim access to the tracking system. Healthcare providers are required to give victims who do not elect to report the alleged offense all information pertaining to the kit and contact information on crisis centers. This bill also forbids the use of the kit to prosecute a victim if drugs are found during examination. A strength of this bill is that law enforcement agencies will now be required to hold rape kits for 10 years instead of 3. A weakness in this bill is that it does not address the backlog issue within the state, which is why this bill is so essential. This bill can be improved by adding procedures for noncompliance and clear reporting/sanctions.
Union University School of Social Work SB 0144 / HB 0137 Juliana White and Ana Rosa Henderson
SB 0144 / HB 0137 is designed to create a state reserve of federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding intended to equip our state government to support Tennesseans through the Tennessee Department of Human Services. After the reserve is funded, all TANF funds are to either be spent or allocated for local government entities and non-profit organizations. We support the strengths of this bill and have recommendations for improvements. We first recommend that available funds be delegated to government entities and non-profit organizations as separate entities (71-1-304). This bill calls for accountability of spending of TANF funds through a diverse advisory committee and experts on retainer. It also creates planning and implementation grant funding for a pilot program for evidence-based programming across the state. Secondly, ambiguities in this bill necessitate clarity for maintaining compliance; therefore, we recommend stipulating in 71-1-305 that the department define and determine grant guidelines and criteria in alignment with federal TANF compliance regulations as well as board approval. Our third recommendation is for two or more experts to be placed on retainer, instead of only one (71-1 -305), so as to provide more hands-on advising and oversight for the advisory board. The last recommendation is that at least one of these experts will then be made available to the grant recipient communities to assist in more effective planning and implementation.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga SB615 / HB180 Patient access to qualified mental health professionals Morgan Williams, Tabitha Schofill, & Bryant Davis
This bill requires healthcare providers to ensure that patients in their care experiencing severe mental health issues are provided access to a qualified mental health professional or a mental health counseling resource prior to the patient’s discharge. This bill makes clear a course of action for healthcare providers whose patients fall in this category. Further, it holds healthcare providers accountable in ensuring the safety of patients, as a provider who violates this bill will be subject to discipline. This bill directly impacts those experiencing severe mental health issues in Tennessee, a state whose suicide death rate was 16% higher than the national average in 2018. Further, it affects social work clinicians, as MSWs and LCSWs are qualified mental health professionals. Social workers should support this bill for three main reasons: We are to recognize and promote the dignity and worth of every individual Our primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of our clients. With 4,980 Healthcare Social Workers in Tennessee, this bill directly affects current and potential clients of social workers. We have the ethical responsibility to promote general welfare at the micro level of social work with individuals and also at the macro, societal level.
King University HB 0200/SB 0205 Shanna Sneed, Alena Church, Lauren Copas, Chloe Snead
House Bill 0200 and its companion bill, Senate Bill 0205 seek to expand factors that a court may consider when determining if the termination of parental rights is in a child’s best interest. The original 1996 statute contains nine specific factors that must be met virtually verbatim before parental rights to be terminated. The new statute would make the paramount rule for the termination of parental rights to be a clear best interest of the child. The objective of this presentation is to determine if HB0200 and SB0205 warrant the support of the National Association of Social Workers and to understand in a meaningful way the path a bill takes on its journey to become a law in the state of Tennessee’s legislature. After compiling research on parental rights and termination in Tennessee adoptions and tracking HB0200 and its companion through the Tennessee House and Senate, it has been concluded that the bill is worthy of support. This bill will give a voice to children who feel unsafe with their parents a chance to be adopted into loving homes and gives the courts a wider set of variables to work with in assessing a child’s best interest.
Social Work Day on the Hill Page 18 2021 NASW-TN Social Work Day on the Hill
Policy Poster Competition MSW Policy Poster Presentations Continued
Tennessee State University Tennessee: Shifting the Paradigm of Successful, Sustainable Recovery Amanda Smith, Shea Townsend
HB215/SB207, as introduced, enacts the Stopping Addiction and Fostering Excellence Act to regulate recovery residences and adopt best practices to provide quality care in addiction recovery. It is critical that recovery residences are regulated and function with evidence-based practices and sound operating procedures that center on a safe, sober living environment. Tennessee is seeing epidemic levels of opioid addiction, overdoses, and deaths. Currently, 70,000 Tennesseans are addicted to opioids. Many of those seeking recovery from the clutches of this epidemic do not have the environment to sustain their recovery, thus continuing the vicious cycle of addiction. While promoting evidence-based treatment, this bill also advocates for medication-assisted treatment, which uses a combination of medication and behavioral therapies to treat addiction; this allows for a harm reduction approach that focuses on the unique needs of the client, rather than engaging in a strict abstinence only culture that recovery residences have historically adopted. Social work professionals have taken great initiative in working for the most at-risk populations and founding organizations such as the National Alliance for Recovery Residences to ensure that not only are individuals gaining access to quality treatment, but that they are able to sustain recovery. Managing this tidal wave of an epidemic falls to professionals in many different areas. Key among them are social workers, who make up one of the largest groups of addiction treatment professionals that address critical gaps in the continuum of care. Therefore, social workers are incredibly essential in combatting the opioid epidemic.
East Tennessee State University SB1237 Cory Whitfield
Proclamation 179, signed by President Andrew Johnson, ended Reconstruction and granted a full pardon to the South. The signed proclamation restored all rights and privileges to the Confederacy. This action would end the progress of emancipation and to the political and economic success of the Freedmen’s Bureau. Tennessee is recognized as one of the most racist, prejudiced, and non-inclusive states in the Union. Current legislators have failed to re-shape this reality. The time to motivate, cultivate, and nurture a new era of leaders is upon us. SB1237, a bill sponsored by Senator Brenda Gilmore, creates a state office dedicated to racial equity. The office will analyze support systems for racially diverse populations, review legislation on freedom of speech and hate speech, and study the development of future political leaders from marginalized and underrepresented racial groups. SB1237 was not included in the NASW-TN Priority Bill Report but we are hopeful that we can change the minds of our fellow NASW members. In the aftermath of the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor, the NASW made a pledge to be a part of the solution to end systematic racism. Standing on the values of advocacy, social justice, and policy development, the NASW would now have a state office dedicated to the same principles. Although there is some vagueness in the bill, this policy could potentially serve as the first step towards honoring the promise of Reconstruction and ushering in a Tennessee founded on freedom, justice, and equality
University of Tennessee (Nashville Campus) Save the Youth: Stop Solitary Confinement Jamie Tate
Senate Bill 1418 and House Bill 0223 sponsored by Senator Raumesh Akbari and Representative Jesse Chism would eliminate placing juveniles in solitary confinement unless they’re an imminent threat to the safety of others/less restrictive options have been exhausted. By limiting solitary confinement to 22 hours or less, youth are better protected from being placed in solitary confinement for convenience, coercion or retaliation and importantly reduce adverse childhood experiences for this vulnerable population. Solitary confinement is an Adverse Childhood Experience or ACE. ACEs increase a person’s risk of long term negative health outcomes that produces a series of negative impacts such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, among other factors. Increased ACEs can lead to costs to the state through taxpayer funded programs and costs the state of Tennessee $5.2 billion annually.
Solitary confinement is costly due to the reliance on single-cell confinement and enhanced security. Placing juveniles in isolation can cost two to three times as much as housing juveniles within the general population. A limitation of this policy is that it only applies to juveniles being housed in juvenile detention centers, not adult facilities. The policy has a lot of strengths that outweigh its limitations to include ending the practice of solitary confinement, cutting state statewide costs, reducing ACEs, and it aligns with both the NASW Code of Ethics and the Statewide Building Strong Brains Initiative.
Social Work Day on the Hill Page 19 2021 NASW-TN Social Work Day on the Hill
Policy Poster Competition MSW Policy Poster Presentations Continued
University of Tennessee (Online MSW) Behavioral Health Parity in TN Stephen Wilder
Behavioral health parity laws aim to prevent discriminatory practices by mandating that insurance companies offer mental health and substance use benefits to the same extent that they offer medical and surgical benefits. However, enforcing existing parity laws remains a challenge, and restricted access to adequate behavioral health treatment for Tennesseans contributes to the devastating rates of suicides and overdoses in our State.
The short-term costs that insurance companies avoid by denying or limiting behavioral health benefits are ultimately paid by state and local governments in the form of uncompensated care through mental health and substance use block grants, encounters with the criminal justice and child welfare systems, use of emergency services, and homeless/social-service programs.
Capitalizing on recent developments at the federal level, the Mental Health Parity Reporting Bill (HB360/SB151) will address the problematic lack of transparency around this issue in our State by significantly expanding the scope and utility of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s annual parity-compliance report to the General Assembly. This vital piece of legislation will provide state lawmakers with a robust set of data that serves to identify gaps and disparities, equipping them to make informed decisions on behavioral health parity enforcement and to protect the lives and rights of struggling Tennesseans.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga School Social Work Mary Beth Lester, Rosabelle Gorman, and Sarah Rantz
Increasing the amount of school social workers is vital for our school districts in Tennessee. All of TN’s students are facing increased risks of school violence, bullying, addiction, chronic absenteeism, teen pregnancy, suicide, adverse childhood experiences, and mental health concerns. Research shows that when social work services are offered, schools report fewer absences, fewer behavior referrals, and improved graduation rates. In addition, when social work services are offered, schools report fewer absences, fewer behavior referrals, and improved graduation rates. When we increase social workers, school districts are able to increase support provided to student populations at risk of falling behind students of color, those with disabilities, English learners, and those from low-income households. Not only that, but research has also shown that when improvements are made to social work services, students exhibit more self-control, and they report higher self-esteem and more academic support from their households. Although the current recommendation put forth by NASW is 1 social worker for every 250 students, we are advocating for bill HB 44/SB1257, which supports a ratio of 1 social worker for every 1,500 students, which would improve services for students and be a more fiscally responsible option.
University of Tennessee (Knoxville Campus) Keep Kids in School Terri Cowden
Overuse of school suspensions and expulsions is associated with lower grades, reduced graduation rates, and increased criminal activity (Ciolfi, et al., 2011). Minority students, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and students with developmental disabilities are impacted at a disproportionate rate (Balfanz, et al., 2014). The Keep Kids in School Act, sponsored by Senator Jeff Yarbro and Representative Sam McKenzie, aims to reverse this trend by requiring the Tennessee Department of Education to guide local boards of education and charter schools in the development of evidence-based discipline policies that will promote a supportive environment and improve graduation rates (SB 415/HB 882, 2021). This proposed legislation is in alignment with the NASW, Tennessee Chapter’s 2021 legislative priority to “comb[at] racial injustice through supporting inclusion and opportunity for all” (NASW Tennessee Chapter, 2021) and the NASW’s commitment to social justice, and dignity and worth of a person (National Association of Social Workers, 2017).
Social Work Day on the Hill Page 20 2021 Annual Award Winners
NASW, Tennessee Chapter is pleased to recognize our outstanding Chapter Award Winners. We invite nominations from NASW members every year and each NASW-TN Branch selects award winners from their area. The Branch Award winners are then submitted for consideration for the Chapter Awards. Our Executive Committee and Branch Representatives on our Chapter Committee on Nominations and Leadership Identification (CNLI) select our Chapter Award winners.
Lifetime Achievement Award Sherry Cummings, PhD, MSW
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an NASW member in celebration of a lifetime of accomplishments. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated the best social work values and accomplishments throughout their lifetime.
Dr. Sherry Cummings was nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award by Dr. Lori Messinger, Dean of the University of Tennessee College of Social Work (UTCSW), Dr. Mary Held, Director of the UTCSW Nashville MSSW Program, Professor Kate M. Chaffin, Director of the UTCSW Online MSSW Program, and Dr. Ragan Schriver, Director of the UTCSW Knoxville MSSW Program.
Dean Messinger’s nomination and excerpts from her colleagues follow:
Dr. Sherry Cummings has been an active member of the faculty at the UT College of Social Work since 1998, serving as Associate Dean since 2006. Her diligence, integrity, and competence helped the College of Social Work attain its current standing as a highly ranked program at a public university. She successfully shepherded the BSW and MSW programs through two different reaccreditation cycles. She also is the founder and chair of the graduate certificate program in Gerontology for the university, helping almost 100 students obtain the knowledge and skills that they can now apply in their work with older adults in many different professions (e.g., social work, psychology, speech and audiology, etc.). She proposed and developed the plan for the university’s First-Generation Mentoring program, which continues to support so many students through their successful graduation. Her contributions to the university were meaningful and have a long-lasting impact.
Dr. Cummings is a national leader in the area of gerontology, working to advance social justice, dignity and worth, and human relationships for older adults. Her cutting-edge research on the impact of mental illness, addiction, and disease on older adults and their caregivers impacts and shapes the field, helping caregivers better support older adults at home and in congregate care settings. Dr. Cummings’ work focuses on older adults, especially those with depression, addiction, and diabetes. Her most recent scholarship on senior cohousing communities offers a way for older adults to develop and sustain life-giving communities of love and care, even when they have no living children or grandchildren of their own. This model is being adopted across the nation, and Dr. Cummings recommendations are being incorporated in their planning.
Dr. Cummings has more than 50 refereed articles in prestigious disciplinary and interdisciplinary journals, 5 books—including one with Oxford University Press, 15 book chapters, and $1.9M in research funding from extramural and intramural research funding. Much of this scholarship was produced even as she was serving in her administrative role. Her expertise and productivity have been recognized by several national and international organizations, who asked her to serve as grant reviewer and consultant, including the US Department of Education, the US-Israel Binational Science Foundation, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development. She served as a leader with the Association for Gerontological Education in Social Work, serving as President and on the board. She also serves on the editorial boards for the Journal of Gerontological Social work, the Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics Education, and the Journal on Social Service Research, as well as serving as guest editor for a special issue on aging in the Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment.
Her stature as a leader in gerontology was recognized in 2008 when she was inducted as a Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Fellow. “Fellow status — the highest class of membership within the society — is an acknowledgment of outstanding and continuing work in the field of gerontology,” as noted by the GSA website.
Located on our Nashville campus, Dr. Cummings has been an active member of the Meharry Consortium Inter-Professional Geriatric Clinical Case Training and the Vanderbilt Consortium LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities), providing training and support to health and mental health students in the Nashville metro area. Dr. Cummings also demonstrates her commitment to service with community agencies working to improve the lives of older adults in Tennessee, serving on the Tennessee State Mental Health Planning Council’s Task Force on Aging and the Commission on Mental Health’s Older Adults Behavioral Health Task Force, coordinating faculty serving on boards for Alive Hospice and Restore Ministries, and coordinating student participation in the annual Alzheimer’s Disease Walk. She also served as a consultant for the Tennessee State University center for Health Research and Family and Children’s Services of Middle Tennessee. Dr. Cummings is indeed an outstanding educator at UT College of Social Work, one who has contributed to the betterment of the university, the community, and the professional discipline. Her work has improved the lives of older adults throughout the state of Tennessee and across the country. She has mentored countless students in social work and other disciplines, as well. Dr. Cummings has also been a longtime member of NASW.
Dr. Cummings has upheld a commitment to the six core values and ethical principles of social work as a researcher, an educator, and a leader in the University of Tennessee (UTK) College of Social Work (CSW) for over 20 years. In this role, she exemplifies service through her tireless servant leadership, availability to her colleagues and students, and responsiveness to community requests for partnerships, trainings, and other engagements.
During my eight years at the University of Tennessee, I have witnessed not only Dr. Cummings' personal and professional commitment to social justice through her own work but also her active push to ensure that all elements of the College of Social Work reflect social justice. This work includes promoting a stronger social justice lens throughout the social work curriculum, incorporating social justice in her own research and supporting others in this work, and ensuring that conversations at every level – from individual meetings to large College-wide meetings, reflect the social justice lens that is essential to our profession.
In regard to dignity and worth, Dr. Cummings is a model for treatment of others. The kindness and respect that she gives to every person she encounters, even during difficult conversations, has been an inspiration for many of us under her leadership. A key part of this dignity and worth is also reflected in the importance she places on human relationships. Throughout my time at the University of Tennessee, Dr. Cummings has served as my primary mentor. One of the many reasons she is a strong mentor is her focus on building a trusting, mutually respectful relationship with those around her.
Finally, Dr. Cummings' integrity and competence is truly among the highest I have seen in any setting or College during my twenty years as a social worker. She holds herself and others to a level of integrity that lays a foundation of trust among all who know her. The high extent of her competence is not easily described. Dr. Cummings' competence as a leader has set a standard that will be hard to fill upon her retirement. The college has benefitted in numerous ways, because her competence extends far beyond that of her specific job, setting her as a the primary “go to” person for a wide range of professional questions and challenges.
I have had the esteemed pleasure of working with Dr. Cummings as both a student and colleague. She has been a dedicated mentor and a strong advocate for faculty and students. Most notably, she has supported the advances to ensure that online social work education is available for Tennesseans who want to pursue an MSW degree. The online MSSW program at the University of Tennessee is one of the most highly recognized and researched programs in the country. Her strong leadership in this area has enabled faculty and administrators to provide an excellent education to those that choose to obtain an MSW.
Dr. Cummings is one of the “shoulders of giants” that the college stands on. She has led by example and carved a path of distinction to follow upon her retirement. People come and go from our lives, but her legacy will remain as someone that walked the walk and talked the talk. She works in the trenches as a servant leader, never abandoning her colleagues and always finishing the task. The college and our graduates and the communities they serve are in a better place because of Dr. Sherry Cummings.
In my years as an instructor and administrator at the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee, I have served under the leadership of Dr. Cummings. She has been by far the best supervisor I have ever had. She embodies the social work approach to her leadership in that she is consistently collegial, always respectful of differences, student centered (without compromising professional education), steeped in the evidence behind her decision making, engaged with the community, mindful of cultural differences of students and faculty, and most especially she carries out her work with patience and kindness.
Social Work Day on the Hill Page 22 2021 Annual Award Winners
Social Worker of the Year Tracy Nalory, LCSW
The Social Worker of the Year Award honors a member of NASW who exemplifies the best of the profession’s values and achievements through specific accomplishments. In honoring the Social Worker of the Year, NASW highlights superb accomplishments in the practice of social work.
Tracy.Nalory is a member of NASW who exemplifies the best of the profession’s values and achievements.
Ms. Nalory has worked in the child welfare field for more than 20 years. Many of these years have been in child abuse and neglect as an employee of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services since 2000. Ms. Nalory obtained her Master's of Social Work from Southern Adventist University in 2011. For the past 8 years Ms. Nalory has continued to work in child welfare with the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, as well as in the mental health field.
After completing her Masters Ms. Nalory struggled to identify her next steps professionally. Brenda Hartgrove-Thomas, LCSW became her professional supervisor and provided her guidance as Ms. Nalory pursued her LCSW license.
After receiving her LCSW Ms. Nalory opened a private practice in May 2019 where she works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. She also assists couples who want to improve their relationship. She is pursuing a certification in sex therapy.
Ms. Nalory enjoys working with individuals as they work through their healing journey in order to help them reach complete wholeness and peace within. Ms. Nalory has a passion to see people healed, transformed and prospering in their soul and life.
Tracy Nalory has impacted hundreds of children and families while working with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. She is also one of two private providers in her area that accepts TennCare insurance. As a minority, Ms. Nalory has also benefited many African American women in her community.
Ms. Nalory’s commitment to service is further demonstrated by her involvement in the community. She has presented trainings on Christianity and mental health to different churches in her community as well as on social media sites. She also shares her expertise with her co-workers, case managers that she supervises, other social workers and community providers as well as mentoring BSW and MSW students that intern with DCS.
Tracy Nalory has been a member of NASW since 2012. She has been a member of American Association of Christian Counselors since 2019.
Nomination submitted by Lisa Maguire, LAPSW, NASW-TN Southeast Branch Committee on Nominations and Leadership Identification Committee Representative
Social Work Day on the Hill Page 23 2021 Annual Award Winners Social Work Educator of the Year Kenya Anderson, LMSW
The Social Work Educator of the Year Award honors a member of NASW who exemplifies the best of the profession’s values and achievements through specific accomplishments in teaching, educational leadership and scholarship.
Kenya Anderson was nominated by Susan Neely-Barnes, Director of the School of Social Work at the University of Memphis. NASW, Tennessee Chapter was pleased to select Ms. Anderson as the recipient of our 2021 award. Dr. Barnes nomination follows.
I am pleased to nominate Ms. Kenya Anderson for the National Association of Social Workers – Tennessee Chapter Social Work Educator of the Year award. Ms. Anderson exhibits all the qualities of an awardee and would make an excellent choice for this recognition.
Ms. Anderson exhibits the six core values and ethical principles of the social work profession and provides an excellent role model for students. Ms. Anderson serves as Clinical Assistant Professor and the field coordinator for the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program at the University of Memphis. In this role, she emphasizes the core values and ethics of social work for her students. Many of these students are serving in a professional role for the first time. Ms. Anderson pushes the students to demonstration ethics and professionalism. She pushes them to think about social justice and the dignity and worth of their clients. She works closely with students who are struggling to learn competence in the field and help them demonstrate growth.
The COVID-19 crisis forced all field coordinators including Ms. Anderson to take risks and think outside of the box in order to continue educating the students. She had to switch her field seminars to online. She also had to work closely with agencies who were switching their field placements to virtual. This sudden switch in field placement format required careful thought and consideration around how students could continue to demonstrate social work competencies while not being able to perform tasks in the traditional face-to-face setting. It also required that some students be switched quickly to another placement or do only virtual activities for the remainder of their field placement. Ms. Anderson took risks and responded quickly to these situations. She was thoughtful in her response.
Ms. Anderson has had some important accomplishments in her career as Clinical Assistant Professor and BA Field Coordinator. She has taken leadership in the effort to bring a chapter of the Coalition for Black Social Workers to the University of Memphis. She is on the Planning Coalition collaborating with the National Black Leadership Commission on Health, Inc. She has also collaborated with her colleagues on a published journal article and presented at national social work conferences including the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting.
Ms. Anderson has faced challenges in her life. I know that she is a first-generation college student. She has used that experience as a first-generation college student to serve as a mentor to other students at the University. I know that she also faced some financial challenges in her early life. Again, she draws from that experience to express empathy for students and advocate for them to receive scholarship funding.
Students in the undergraduate program have benefitted from Ms. Anderson’s efforts. She is an excellent advisor. Undergraduate advising can be complex because of the number of requirements. Ms. Anderson is very good at navigating those requirements and helping students graduate. Ms. Anderson is also very astute to student financial situations. She has been quick to refer students who are struggling with finances to completion scholarships. We really appreciate her efforts around advocating for students with financial challenges.
In addition to the excellent work that Ms. Anderson does for students, she also contributes a great deal to the profession. She serves as a board member with the Tennessee Health Related Board – Social Work. She is also a member of the National Nominating Committee of the Association of Social Work Boards. She serves as a hearing officer for the University of Memphis Office of Institutional Equity and on the Disability Resources Advisory Committee at the University of Memphis.
I strongly encourage the award committee to recognize her efforts with this award.
Social Work Day on the Hill Page 24 2021 Annual Award Winners MSW Student of the Year Cory Whitfield
The Social Work Student of the Year Award honors a student member of NASW who is enrolled at least half-time in a graduate or undergraduate social work program who has created a positive influence on classmates for the profession, and maintained academic achievement. Awards are presented to both a BSW and MSW student.
Cory Whitfield was selected as the recipients of NASW, Tennessee Chapter’s MSW Student of the Year Award. We are pleased to honor this outstanding student. His nomination follows.
It is my pleasure to nominate Cory Whitfield for the NASW-TN MSW Student of the Year Award for 2021. Cory is in his second year as a part-time advanced standing MSW student at East Tennessee State University.
Cory’s application of social work knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion could not be more perfectly timed. As an undergraduate student, he volunteered for two years with the Minority Leadership Academy in Asheville, North Carolina. This program worked with dozens of 13-18 year old at-risk black youth, providing mentoring and leadership on attitudes as well as practical skills needed to become successful in seeking and maintaining jobs. Cory was not a social work student at that time, yet his natural passion to uplift those in need was clear.
As a BSW undergraduate student, Cory expanded his scope of interests and knowledge into macro practice, learning about housing issues and grant funding. Now in his second year of the ETSU MSW program, Cory practices both micro and macro practice, both on and off campus, and has extended his interests into policy advocacy and the promotion of the field of social work as he believes that social work is perfectly situated to make the social just changes needed for a better world. Cory was elected to the NASW-TN Board of Directors and now also serves on the Northeast Tennessee Branch Steering Committee. His depth of knowledge on current and historical racial inequality issues provide critical understanding and catalyst in important conversations in class, in NASW Branch policy advocacy meetings, and in a 18-day Anti-White Supremacy Challenge held in January 2021 for ETSU MSW students and faculty. He is consulted for his insights by other NASW members, including members of the NASW Delegate Assembly. In response to last summer’s civil protests and students’ desire to have a sense of place to discuss and connect, Cory wants to start a local chapter of The National Association of Black Social Workers to both connect and empower his fellow students of color.
In addition to his professional leadership and outreach, he also believes that our profession is misunderstood in communities of color and has taken on his own mission of education and advocacy to address diversity and inclusion issues in our field! As an unintended, but remarkable, consequence of the publicity Cory received for his election to the NASW-TN Board, people of color from across Northeast Tennessee, as well as Southwest Virginia and western North Carolina, have reached out to him for information and inspiration. As he fields questions about personal finance and individual career success, Cory brilliantly shifts the conversation to systemic issues of structural racism, the need to close the racial wealth gap, and the importance of understanding and advocating for policy changes. He directs and encourages individuals to become empowered by pursuing their own personal education but also shines a light on how social work is a pivotal field for pursuing these changes professionally. When asked what it feels like to have students, community members, social work faculty and NASW members reach out to him, Cory states that this simply motivates him to do more, push harder…. “people want it and need it!”
What does this mean for his future? Cory believes that “in order to make the change we desire, we must become the power to gain the power to influence change.” That said, Cory has political aspirations in order to make this happen. He is well aware of the challenges associated with running for office in general, such and time and finances, but also the challenges associated with running for office in Tennessee as a person of color. He is fearless in the face of these challenges, having already overcome so many racial obstacles that are a part of our community, state, and country. He is passionate, articulate, and motivated, stating “I believe 100% that we as social workers will make those most valuable policy makers because we hear the cries of the people. We are not suits and ties...we are truly the servants of the people.”
Cory believes this is the time for social work and social change. I extend that sentiment to say that this is the time to acknowledge his work by awarding him the NASW-TN MSW Student of the Year Award for 2021,
Nomination submitted by Dr. Donna Cherry, Associate Professor, East Tennessee State University Mr. Whitfield’s nomination was also supported by letters from Dr. Kelly Reath, Dr. Paul Baggett, and Dr. Brittany Wilkins at East Tennessee State University. 2021 Annual Award Winners
BSW Student of the Year Joseph M Harrigan The Social Work Student of the Year Award honors a student member of NASW who is enrolled at least half-time in a graduate or undergraduate social work program who has created a positive influence on classmates for the profession, and maintained academic achievement. Awards are presented to both a BSW and MSW student.
Joseph M. Harrigan was selected as the recipients of NASW, Tennessee Chapter’s BSW Student of the Year. We are pleased to honor this outstanding student. Excerpts from his nomination follows.
It is with pleasure that I nominate Joseph Harrigan for the NASW-TN BSW Student of the Year award. Joseph is an inspiring young man! He has overcome many challenges in this life.
He turned the challenges of trauma from growing up in extreme poverty and family violence to strengths with the help of a LCSW. He developed a deep empathy for hurting people and an understanding that hardship can bring a deeper realization of the important things in life, faith, love, and forgiveness. After graduating high school, Joseph became a caregiver and then a few years later, a CNA. He found healing through service and the more he helped those in need of help, the lighter he felt.
At age 27, Joseph enlisted and joined the Navy and was shipped out to boot camp three days after his 28th Birthday. During his time in service, he saw a lot of very sad things; Homicide, suicide, hatred, and perhaps worst of all, he saw the aftermath of what these things do to families. It affected him deeply. His unit was deployed to help provide relief for the Tsunami victims in the Tohoku region of Japan. The death and the agony of the people was horrific! Yet, somehow, being able to comfort and help was a breath of air for Joseph. It was life! Providing this care helped Joseph stay grounded. After his enlistment in the Navy ended, he was hired as a Case Officer for Community Corrections. It was here that the desire to help was rekindled.
Joseph knew then that he wanted to become a Social Worker. The love that poured from his heart for vulnerable people needed to be fully embraced. The certainty of his cause became a driving force in his desire for college. Because Joseph’s fiancé could not move to America as she had planned due to a visa denial, this Kingsport, TN native shifted his plans away from traditional classes on campus and moved to Bulgaria where he has pursued and is near completion of his BSW courses online.
Joseph spent 400-hours working in a refugee camp in Bulgaria. Here he worked with war-torn populations fleeing from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. He provided intake services for these populations and assisted in allocating resources such as housing, food, education, and clothing. The majority of these populations speak only Arabic and are of the Islamic faith. They neither understood the language of the country they were fleeing to, nor understood the predominantly Orthodox faith found in Bulgaria. Joseph says it was amazing to have the opportunity as a Christian to aid these souls, advocate for them, and to show them that love is a universal language. Joseph still volunteers at the refugee camps and has even begun to teach some of the Bulgarian phrases to those who wish to learn them.
Joseph also had the honor of working with the Romani population as a part of his Community Intervention Plan. This culture is ancient and more commonly known as gypsies. They are nomadic and suffer extreme poverty, neglect, and often turn towards organized crime as a means of survival. Joseph was able to bring some awareness to this population's struggle, to the racism that exists between them and the Bulgarian people, and he was able to begin an outreach into one of the largest communities in Bulgaria called Fakulteta. This outreach provides educational materials, food, and clothing.
Finding that his mind was focused, disciplined, and the life experience he had gathered potent, he excelled in his studies. With his outstanding GPA of 4.0, he joined Chi Omega, the King University chapter of the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society. He is also an active member of the Social Work Action Group. He won the Jane Addams Social Work Student of the Year award and the Chi Omega Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award. Joseph was also awarded the 2nd place prize for the Patty Gibbs-Wahlberg Scholarship through Phi Alpha.
Joseph said “All in all, I believe that my strengths are born of weakness. I truly believe that as long as I can show compassion and love to those who hurt, struggle, and to those who know pain, that I am where I need to be. I want to be an example of change, of hope, and shine a light into the same shadows which once held me” (personal communication, February 23, 2021).
Social Work is more than just a degree. To some like Joseph, it is a calling. It is in the depths of compassion and service where we find our heartbeat! For Joseph, social work is God’s work!
From nomination submitted by Dr. Jodi Herbert, Professor, Social Work Program Coordinator, King College 2021 Annual Award Winners Public Citizen of the Year Preston McKee The Public Citizen of the Year award honors an outstanding member of the community whose accomplishments exemplify the values and mission of the profession of social work. The award winner is not a social worker.
It is an honor and privilege for the Northeast Branch of the Tennessee NASW to nominate Preston McKee for the Public Citizen of the Year Award. Preston is well known throughout Johnson City and the surrounding area for his delicate work with grief stricken community members and for his efforts to foster a learning environment for those in helping professions to better serve persons with grief-related issues. He is also an invaluable leader focused on making our community a better place to live.
Mr. McKee has had the desire to help those in the most difficulty time in anyone’s life since elementary school. Preston was raised in the Johnson City area and admired his grandfather, who became owner of the, now, Morris-Baker Funeral Home & Cremation Services, to which Preston serves as Owner, since 2009. Preston has worked at Morris-Baker since his graduation from University of the South in 1995. Preston, in addition to managing his business, holds certifications and licenses of Licensed Funeral Director, Certified Crematory Operator, Certified Celebrant, and Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (Lifetime Member).
Preston has facilitating a variety of CEU topics and events for helping professionals. The NASW-TN Northeast Branch frequently partners in these events such as “Traumatic Loss and Family: Strategies for Intervention”. He and his wife, are trained and certified handlers for Therapy Dogs International, through which their dog Kibbi is certified. Preston routinely utilizes Kibbi in his services with his clientele, but also brings her to Camp Firefly, a children’s grief camp, and makes monthly visits to patients, their families, andnurses at the Niswonger’s Children’s Hospital and has for a decade.
Preston exudes the social work values of service, dignity and worth of a person and the importance of human relationships. During his time with the family business, Preston has gone above and beyond to ensure that his clientele and the community have access to grief support. He has clients meet with their own Certified Funeral Celebrant to ensure their specific service needs are met. Preston has his business pay for Caring Voices 24/7/365 phone service, which connects callers to a Certified Grief Counselor with at least a master’s level degree.
Preston has partnered with Dr. Jason Troyer to offer the community access (at local agencies and libraries) to the “Finding Hope” booklet series focused on a variety of grief support. He sponsors “GriefPlan”, an online grief support program available for the community at absolutely no cost. Preston provides space for an in-person support group, facilitated by a local counselor, that is free and open to the public. Preston organizes a monthly widow/widower luncheon/gathering and provides a free ‘Grief for the Holidays’ Seminar Series. His efforts to serve the community have been recognized through the National Funeral Director’s Association’s awarding Morris-Baker the Pursuit of Excellence Award for six consecutive years. He was also named a Healthcare Hero by News and Neighbor in 2019. Mr. McKee is actively involved in his community including Board roles with:
• Johnson City Noon Rotary Club – Current Club President; • Johnson City Evening Rotary Club – Past President; • Johnson City United Way – Board President, Campaign Chair, and Allocations Chair; • American Red Cross – Board Member; • Salvation Army – Board Member; and • Washington County Community Foundation – Past Board Chair.
Beyond his service on several community organization boards, he has donated a significant amount of resources to help with the restoration of a bridge on the Tweetsie Trail (re-purposed old railroad tracks for walking/biking), helped fund the revitalization of the Langston High School, now Langston Centre, in collaboration with Langston Education and Arts Development, Inc, and continually donates to the United Way of Washington County, Tennessee. Preston was a founding member and continuing sponsor of Camp Firefly. He also regularly supports and offers resources to the Johnson City Parks & Recreation Department, Family Promise of Johnson City, Johnson City Senior Center, and the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Our entire community has benefited from Preston’s hard work and contributions. It would be incredibly difficult to find an individual in our area who has not been reached, directly or indirectly, by Preston’s actions. In addition to the causes he promotes he has been a role model for many. He frequently has offered tours to social work students and been a key role in educating future social workers about the death, dying, and the many facets surrounding the services, of which I am a recipient.
I have partnered with Preston for several years and it is an honor to submit him nomination on behalf of the Northeast Branch of NASW for Public Citizen of the Year Award. He is beyond deserving and he truly exemplifies the very best of a beautiful compassionate human being who values and contributes to the well being of others. Many thanks to Preston for his contributions and service!
Nomination submitted by Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Bolling, LMSW – NASW-TN Northeast Branch Chair. This nomination was supported by letters from: Dr. Donna Cherry, ETSU, Pastor Michael Lester, and Chaplain Anna Butler. 2021 Annual Award Winners
Public Official of the Year Representative London Lamar
The Public Official of the Year Award recognizes outstanding service and contributions of a governmental official who has shown leadership in the formulation of public policy, particularly policies that affect social justice, health care, education, civil and human rights,
The winner of the Public Official of the Year Award was nominated by the NASW-TN West Branch. The nomination follows.
Representative London Lamar has demonstrated leadership on issues that are of critical concern to the social work profession. She is a co-sponsor of HB 413 that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana (less than one ounce). The criminalization of marijuana possession disproportionately impacts Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC). Ms. Lamar has also been a champion for low-income and incarcerated pregnant women. She is sponsoring HB 1847 which would recognize doula’s as key members of the health care team for pregnant women on TennCare. She is also sponsoring HB 1561 that would ensure prenatal care, nutritional supplements, and postnatal care for incarcerated pregnant women. Finally, she is sponsoring bills that would eliminate the sales tax on feminine products and provide feminine products for free to incarcerated women.
Representative Lamar’s leadership has had an impact. She was inspired by the case of Cyntonia Brown, a 16-year-old victim of sex trafficking who was arrested for killing a man who picked her up for sex. Ms. Brown served a long sentence for a crime that was committed in self-defense and as a result of being forced into prostitution. Representative Lamar worked across the aisle to get legislation passed that enabled human trafficking to be used as a reason for self-defense. In 2019, Cyntonia Brown was pardoned by the Governor thanks to the efforts of people like Lamar. Ms. Lamar also successfully passed legislation allowing pregnant moms to be eligible for a medical leave from school and keep their HOPE Scholarship funds.
Representative Lamar’s leadership has positively impacted the social work profession and the people in her district. Representative Lamar is an advocate for student mental health. She is sponsoring a bill that requires teachers to be trained on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). London Lamar represents Tennessee District 91. This district is located in South Memphis, a predominately African American community with several of the lowest income zip codes in the State. Representative Lamar has been a tireless advocate for social justice on behalf of her constituents.
We urge you to recognize her with the Chapter Public Official of the Year Award.
NASW, Tennessee Chapter Congratulates Our Other Distinguished Branch Award Winners
Lifetime Achievement Award Rev. Dr. Jane Abraham, LCSW, LADAC, ADS– West Branch BSW Student of the Year Linda Garza, MSSW, LMSW – Southeast Branch Claire Ashcroft – Southeast Branch Kevin Shea - West Branch Social Worker of the Year Meredith Jaulin Macleod, LMSW – Middle Branch MSW Student of the Year Nicole Buehrle – Southeast Branch Social Work Educator of the Year Jay Stone – West Branch Dorothy Saxon Greene, PhD, MSW, BSW – Northeast Branch Ali Winters, DSW, LCSW – Middle Branch Public Citizen of the Year Dr. Douglas Scarboro – West Branch Help Us Recognize Our Stars in 2022 NASW members are invited each year to submit nominees for Branch Award Winners that are then considered for our Chapter Awards. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor someone you know.
Social Work Day on the Hill Page 28 Social Work Day onthe Hill Members of Tennessee Senate Sorted by Senate District STATE & FINANCE, OFFICE PHONE LOCAL WAYS & DISTRICT COUNTIES REPRESENTED FIRST NAME LAST NAME PARTY (CHB) (615) EMAIL (@CAPITOL.GOV) EDUCATION GOV MEANS 1 Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Sevier Steve Southerland R 722 741-3851 sen.steve.southerland 2 Blount, Sevier Art Swann R 748 741-0981 sen.art.swann 3 Washington, Unicoi, Carter Rusty Crowe R 720 741-2468 sen.rusty.crowe x 4 Johnson, Sullivan Jon Lundberg R 714 741-5761 sen.jon.lundberg 1st VCH x 5 Anderson, Loudon, and part of Knox Lt. Gov. Randy McNally R 700 741-6806 lt.gov.randy.mcnally 6 Part of Knox Becky Massey R 776 741-1648 sen.becky.massey
7 Part of Knox Richard Briggs R 770 741-1766 sen.richard.briggs CH Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins, sen.frank.niceley 8 Jefferson, Union Frank Niceley R 712 741-2061 9 Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Polk Mike Bell R 716 741-1946 sen.mike.bell x
10 Bradley and part of Hamilton Todd Gardenhire R 732 741-6682 sen.todd.gardenhire 1st VCH x
11 Part of Hamilton Bo Watson R 706 741-3227 sen.bo.watson CH Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, Rhea, sen.ken.yager 12 Roane, Pickett, Scott Ken Yager R 704 741-1449 x x 13 Part of Rutherford Dawn White R 740 741-6853 sen.Dawn.White x x Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall, Moore and sen.shane.reeves 14 part of Rutherford Shane Reeves R 752 741-1066 Cumberland, Jackson, Overton, sen.paul.bailey 15 Bledsoe, Putnam, White Paul Bailey R 736 741-3978 Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, sen.janice.bowling 16 Sequatchie, Van Buren, Warren Janice Bowling R 718 741-6694 Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Macon, Smith, sen.mark.pody 17 Wilson Mark Pody R 754 741-2421 Sumner , Trousdale, and part of sen.ferrell.haile 18 Davidson Ferrell Haile R 708 741-1999 x x 19 Part of Davidson Brenda Gilmore D 768 741-2453 sen.brenda.gilmore x 20 Part of Davidson Heidi Campbell D 774 741-6679 sen.heidi.campbell 21 Part of Davidson Jeff Yarbro D 764 741-3291 sen.jeff.yarbro x x 22 Stewart, Houston, Montgomery Bill Powers R 772 741-2374 sen.bill.powers x x 23 Williamson Jack Johnson R 702 741-2495 sen.jack.johnson x Benton, Henry, Carroll, Gibson, Obion, sen.john.stevens 24 Weakley John Stevens R 710 741-4576 1st VCH Page29 X = Committee Member CH= Chair of Committee 1st VCH= First Vice Chair of Committee 2nd VCH = Second Vice Chair
Social Work Day ontheSocial Hill Members of Tennessee Senate Sorted by Senate District
STATE & FINANCE, OFFICE PHONE LOCAL WAYS & DISTRICT COUNTIES REPRESENTED FIRST NAME LAST NAME PARTY (CHB) (615) EMAIL (@CAPITOL.GOV) EDUCATION GOV MEANS Cheatham, Dickson, Hickman, sen.kerry.roberts 25 Humphreys, Robertson Kerry Roberts R 730 741-4499 Chester, Decatur, Fayette, Hardeman, sen.page.walley 26 Hardin, Haywood, McNairy, Henderson Page Walley R 744 741-2368 2nd VCH
Madison, Crockett, Dyer, Lake, sen.ed.jackson 27 Lauderdale Ed Jackson R 750 741-1810 x Giles, Lawrence, Lewis, Maury, Perry, sen.joey.hensley 28 Wayne Joey Hensley R 746 741-3100 x 2nd VCH
29 Part of Shelby Raumesh Akbari D 762 741-1767 sen.Raumesh.Akbari 2nd VCH 30 Part of Shelby Sara Kyle D 760 741-4167 sen.sara.kyle x
31 Part of Shelby Brian Kelsey R 742 741-3036 sen.brian.kelsey CH x 32 Tipton and part of Shelby Paul Rose R 734 741-1967 sen.paul.rose
33 Part of Shelby Katrina Robinson D 766 741-2509 sen.Katrina.Robinson
X = Committee Member CH= Chair of Committee 1st VCH= First Vice Chair of Committee 2nd VCH = Second Vice Chair
Page 30
Social Work Day ontheSocial Hill Members of Tennessee House of Representatives Sorted by House District
FINANCE, OFFICE EDUCATION WAYS & F,W&M DEPARTMENTS & DISTRICT COUNTIES REPRESENTED FIRST NAME LAST NAME PARTY (CHB) PHONE (615) EMAIL (@capitol.tn.gov) ADMIN MEANS SUB STATE GOV AGENCIES SUB 1 Part of Sullivan John Crawford R 540 741-7623 rep.john.crawford X 2 Part of Sullivan Bud Hulsey R 564 741-2886 rep.bud.hulsey X Carter, Johnson and part of 3 Sullivan Scotty Campbell R 680 741-2050 rep.scotty.campbell X 4 Unicoi and Carter John B. Holsclaw, Jr. R 534 741-7450 rep.john.holsclaw X CHAIR 5 Part of Greene David Hawk R 406 741-7482 rep.david.hawk X X
6 Part of Washington Tim Hicks R 590 741-1717 rep.tim.hicks 7 Part of Washington Rebecca K. Alexander R 610 741-2251 rep.rebecca.alexander X 8 Part of Blount Jerome Moon R 530 741-5481 rep.jerome.moon X 9 Hancock and Hawkins Gary Hicks R 640 741-7480 rep.gary.hicks X CHAIR
10 Hamblen Rick Eldridge R 522 741-6877 rep.rick.eldridge VICE CHAIR
Cocke, Jefferson, and part of 11 Greene Jeremy Faison R 604 741-6871 rep.jeremy.faison X 12 Part of Sevier Dale Carr R 568 741-5981 rep.dale.carr X X
13 Part of Knox Gloria Johnson D 442 741-2031 rep.gloria.johnson 14 Part of Knox Jason Zachary R 616 741-2264 Rep.Jason.Zachary X 15 Part of Knox Sam McKenzie D 518 741-0768 rep.sam.mckenzie 16 Part of Knox Michele Carringer R 612 741-1721 rep.michele.carringer X X X
17 Part of Jefferson and Sevier Andrew Farmer R 618 741-4419 rep.andrew.farmer 18 Part of Knox Eddie Mannis R 526 741-2287 rep.eddie.mannis 19 Part of Knox Dave Wright R 588 741-6879 rep.dave.wright 20 Part of Blount Bob Ramsey R 562 741-3560 rep.bob.ramsey
21 Parts of Loudon and Monroe Lowell Russell R 504 741-3736 rep.lowell.russell
22 Meigs, Polk, and part of Bradley Dan Howell R 556 741-7799 rep.dan.howell 23 McMinn, Monroe Mark Cochran R 520 741-1725 rep.mark.cochran X 24 Bradley Mark Hall R 582 741-1350 rep.mark.hall Cumberland, Van Buren, and 25 Bledsoe Cameron Sexton R 600 741-2343 speaker.cameron.sexton Page 31
X
X
AGENCIES SUB
DEPARTMENTS &
X
X
X
CHAIR
STATE GOV
X
X
X
X
SUB
F,W&M F,W&M
X
X
X
X
X
X
VICE
CHAIR
CHAIR
MEANS
WAYS &
FINANCE,
X
X
X
ADMIN
EDUCATION EDUCATION
rep.bo.mitchell
rep.mike.sparks
rep.bryan.terry
rep.rush.bricken
rep.clark.boyd
rep.johnny.garrett
rep.william.lamberth
rep.paul.sherrell
rep.ryan.williams
rep.john.windle
rep.terri.lynn.weaver
rep.iris.rudder
rep.kelly.keisling
rep.charlie.baum
rep.dennis.powers
rep.jerry.sexton
rep.tim.rudd
rep.john.ragan
rep.kent.calfee
rep.ron.travis
rep.esther.helton
rep.mike.carter
rep.yusuf.hakeem
rep.patsy.hazlewood
rep.robin.smith
EMAIL (@capitol.tn.gov)
741-4317
741-6829
741-2180
741-7448
741-7086
741-3893
741-1980
741-1963
741-1875
741-1260
741-2192
741-8695
741-6852
741-6849
741-3335
741-2534
741-2804
741-4400
741-7658
741-1450
741-1934
741-3025
741-2702
741-2746
741-2548
PHONE (615)
440
532
646
594
528
508
602
670
560
428
554
576
566
620
674
672
544
614
542
678
502
632
524
516
644
(CHB)
OFFICE OFFICE
D
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
D
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
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R
R
PARTY
Boyd
Terry
Rudd
Smith
Baum
Travis
Carter
Sparks
Ragan
Calfee
Sexton
Helton
Garrett
Windle
Rudder
Bricken
Powers
Sherrell
Weaver
Keisling
Mitchell
Hakeem
Williams
Lamberth
Hazlewood
LAST NAME
Bo
Iris
Tim
Ron
Paul
Jerry
John
Kent
Mike
Rush
Ryan
Kelly
Mike
Clark
Yusuf
Patsy
Robin
Bryan Bryan
Esther
Johnny
Charlie
Dennis
William
Terri Lynn Terri
John Mark John
FIRSTNAME
Members of Tennessee House of Representatives Sorted by House District House by District Sorted Representatives House of Tennessee of Members
Rhea
Union Union
DeKalb
Warren
Anderson
Part of Sumner Part
Part of Sumner Part
Part of Sumner Part
Part of Putnam Part
part of Fentress part
part of Fentress part
Part of Davidson Part
Part of Hamilton Part
Part of Hamilton Part
Part of Hamilton Part
Part of Hamilton Part
Part of Hamilton Part
Part of Anderson Part
Part of Rutherford Part
Part of Rutherford Part
Part of Rutherford Part
Part of Rutherford Part
White, Grundy and part of part and Grundy White,
COUNTIES COUNTIES REPRESENTED
Coffee and part of Warren Coffee part and
Franklin, Moore and Marion Marion and Moore Franklin,
Campbell, part of Union and and of Union Campbell, part
DeKalb, Smith, Trousdale and and Trousdale DeKalb, Smith,
Morgan, Jackson, Overton and and Jackson, Overton Morgan,
Cannon and part of Wilson and part and Cannon
Claiborne, Grainger and part of part and Grainger Claiborne,
Macon, Clay, Pickett, Scott, and and Clay, Scott, Macon, Pickett,
Bledsoe, Roane, Sequatchie and Bledsoe,and Roane, Sequatchie
Part of Roane and part of Loudon part of Roane and Part
50
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X
X
AGENCIES SUB
DEPARTMENTS &
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
STATE GOV
X
X
X
X
X
SUB
F,W&M F,W&M
X
X
X
X
X
MEANS
WAYS &
FINANCE, FINANCE,
X
X
X
X
X
X
ADMIN
EDUCATION EDUCATION
rep.curtis.halford
rep.mary.littleton
rep.rusty.grills
rep.tandy.darby
rep.bruce.griffey
rep.jay.reedy
rep.chris.todd
rep.kirk.haston
rep.david.byrd
rep.clay.doggett
rep.michael.curcio
rep.curtis.johnson
rep.jason.hodges
rep.sabi.kumar
rep.sam.whitson
rep.scott.cepicky
rep.glen.casada
rep.pat.marsh
rep.brandon.ogles
rep.darren.jernigan
rep.jason.potts
rep.harold.love
rep.susan.lynn
rep.bob.freeman
rep.john.ray.clemmons
rep.vincent.dixie
rep.jason.powell
rep.mike.stewart
rep.bill.beck
EMAIL (@capitol.tn.gov)
741-7478
741-7477
741-0718
741-7847
741-6804
741-7098
741-7475
741-0750
741-2190
741-7476
741-3513
741-4341
741-2860
741-1864
741-3005
741-4389
741-6824
741-6808
741-6959
741-2035
741-3831
741-7462
741-0709
741-4410
741-1997
741-6861
741-2184
741-3229
741-2043
PHONE (615)
426
634
400
642
578
402
608
596
584
580
630
636
414
654
552
510
586
676
660
572
412
668
622
592
408
662
418
550
574
(CHB)
OFFICE OFFICE
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
D
R
R
R
R
R
R
D
D
D
R
D
D
D
D
D
D
PARTY
Byrd
Lynn
Todd
Beck
Grills
Curio
Potts
Dixie
Darby
Ogles
Reedy
Kumar
Marsh
Griffey
Powell
Haston
Halford
Casada
Hodges
Cepicky
Stewart
Doggett
Johnson
Littleton
Whitson
Jernigan
Love, Jr. Jr. Love,
Freeman
Clemmons
LAST NAME
Pat
Bill
Kirk
Bob
Clay
Sam
Glen
Scott
Mike
Mary
Chris
Jason
Jason
Jason
Curtis
Bruce
David
Curtis
Susan
Rusty Rusty
Tandy
Jay Jay D.
Darren
Vincent
Michael
Brandon
John Ray John
Sabi Sabi "Doc"
Harold M. M. Harold
FIRSTNAME
Members of Tennessee House of Representatives Sorted by House District House by District Sorted Representatives of House Tennessee of Members
Perry
Carroll
Wilson
Dickson
Lawrence
Robertson
Montgomery
Part of Maury of Part
Part of Madison of Part
Part of Davidsonof Part
Part of Davidsonof Part
Part of Davidsonof Part
Part of Davidsonof Part
Part of Davidsonof Part
Part of Davidsonof Part
Part of Davidsonof Part
Part of Davidsonof Part
Part of Davidsonof Part
Part of Williamsonof Part
Part of Williamsonof Part
Part of Williamsonof Part
Part of Montgomery of Part
Part of Montgomery of Part
Cheatham and Dicksonand Cheatham
Houston, Humphreys and and Humphreys Houston,
COUNTIES COUNTIES REPRESENTED
Gibson and part Carroll of part and Gibson
Henry, Benton and Stewart and Benton Henry,
Giles Lawrence of part and
Weakley, Obion and part of of part and Weakley, Obion
Bedford and parts of Lincoln of parts and Bedford
Dyer, Lake and part of Obion of Lake Dyer, part and
Hickman and part of Maury and and Maury of part and Hickman
Henderson, Chester, Decatur and and Chester, Decatur Henderson,
Hardin, Lewis, Wayne and part of of Lewis, Hardin, part and Wayne
79
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51 DISTRICT Social Work Day on the Hill Page 33
X
AGENCIES SUB
DEPARTMENTS &
X
X
STATE GOV
X
X
SUB
F,W&M F,W&M
X
X
X
X
X
X
MEANS
WAYS &
FINANCE, FINANCE,
X
X
X
CHAIR
ADMIN
VICE CHAIR
EDUCATION EDUCATION
rep.tom.leatherwood
rep.antonio.parkinson
rep.john.gillespie
rep.dwayne.thompson
rep.kevin.vaughan
rep.ron.gant
rep.ga.hardaway
rep.todd.warner
rep.london.lamar
rep.torrey.harris
rep.justin.lafferty
rep.larry.miller
rep.karen.camper
rep.barbara.cooper
rep.jesse.chism
rep.joe.towns
rep.mark.white
rep.chris.hurt
rep.debra.moody
rep.johnny.shaw
EMAIL (@capitol.tn.gov)
741-7084
741-4575
741-8201
741-1920
741-1866
741-6890
741-5625
741-4170
741-3830
741-2239
741-4110
741-4453
741-1898
741-4295
741-6954
741-2189
741-4415
741-2134
741-3774
741-4538
PHONE (615)
514
422
652
420
648
606
404
512
424
430
506
432
664
410
434
416
624
500
650
570
(CHB)
OFFICE OFFICE
R
D
R
D
R
R
D
R
D
D
R
D
D
D
D
D
R
R
R
D
PARTY
Hurt
Gant
Shaw
Miller
Lamar
Harris
Chism
White
Moody
Cooper
Warner
Lafferty
Camper
Gillespie
Vaughan
Parkinson
Hardaway
Thompson
Towns, Jr. Jr. Towns,
LAST NAME
Leatherwood
Joe
Ron
G.A.
Tom Tom
Todd
John John
Mark
Chris
Kevin
Jesse
Justin
Debra
London
Johnny Johnny
Larry J. Larry
Dwayne
Torrey C. Torrey
Karen D. Karen
Barbara Ward Barbara
FIRSTNAME
Antonio "2 Shay" "2 Antonio
Members of Tennessee House of Representatives Sorted by House District HouseDistrict by Sorted Representatives of House Tennessee of Members
Tipton
Haywood
Hardeman
Part of Knox of Part
Part of Shelby Shelby of Part
Part of Shelby Shelby of Part
Part of Shelby Shelby of Part
Part of Shelby Shelby of Part
Part of Shelby Shelby of Part
Part of Shelby Shelby of Part
Part of Shelby Shelby of Part
Part of Shelby Shelby of Part
Part of Shelby Shelby of Part
Part of Shelby Shelby of Part
Part of Shelby Shelby of Part
Part of Shelby Shelby of Part
Part of Shelby Shelby of Part
Part of Shelby Shelby of Part
Lincoln and Marion Lincoln and
Lauderdale, Crockett and and Crockett Lauderdale,
COUNTIES COUNTIES REPRESENTED
Fayette, McNairy and part of of part and McNairy Fayette,
Marshall and part of Franklin, Franklin, of Marshall part and
Part of Hardeman and Madison and Hardeman of Part
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80 DISTRICT Social Work Day on the Hill Page 34 Social Work Day on the Hill Page 35
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