Need: Research and demographic data for the nation, and specifically for Tennessee, illustrate unprecedented growth of the Hispanic population. Hispanic and other immigrants are at risk for reduced access to health care and other service for family members with disabilities.

Purpose: To assist Hispanic and immigrant families who have a family member with a disability in connecting with the disability service system and to provide supports.

Innovations: Begun as a model demonstration project in partnership with Tennessee Disability Pathfinder, the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, and a trusted community organization, already serving and trusted by immigrants, as a partner and project home: Woodbine Community Organization, Nashville.

Description: Families meet with bilingual social workers who are disability specialists. They refer families to appropriate services and support them as needed in accessing services. Staff are developing and disseminating bilingual information and referral resources. They are collaborating with Hispanic organizations and other community organizations serving immigrants; community forums are organized. Staff also are partnering with Nashville Metro Social Services and the Mental Health Association to develop a Hispanic resource database in English and Espanol on the Pathfinder Web site.

Where: Tennessee Disability Pathfinder, 1810 Edgehill Avenue, Nashville (administrative home)
Woodbine Community Organization, 222 Oriel Avenue, Nashville

Director:
Claudia Avila-Lopez, Bilingual Social Worker

Contact:
Pathfinder: (615) 322-7830 (English & Espanol)
1 (800) 640-4636
Woodbine: (615) 850-3448

See additional information on Hispanic and Immigrant Disability Outreach