Tennessee Disability Pathfinder Hispanic Outreach Project

Due to a large number of immigrants in Tennessee who speak Spanish, a program is needed to assist children and adults and their family members in locating available services and understanding the disability system in Tennessee.

The Hispanic Outreach Project is a project of Tennessee Disability Pathfinder with an office located at the Woodbine Community Center (Hispanic neighborhood). A bilingual statewide helpline is available with case management services for persons living in the Nashville area and a monthly support group.

Specific objectives:

• Assist individuals with disabilities and/or family members in understanding disability systems and securing available disability and community services
• Maintain bilingual database (Camino Seguro) of Hispanic staff available in Middle TN agencies, accessible on Pathfinder's website. This database is a collaborative effort with staff representatives at Metro Social Services and Mental Health Association of Middle TN. In fall, 2007, UT Boling Center received a grant to replicate this database in West TN and is being supervised and trained by Pathfinder staff. Camino Seguro West was launched in Summer 2008. Efforts are continuing to identify sponsors for Camino Seguro East TN
• Provide technical disability training in the community including annual conference "Disability Services and the Hispanic Community" each year in Nashville TN maintain and update agency information. The statewide coordinator is responsible for identifying Hispanic individuals who need services and identifying Spanish speaking professionals around the state.

Contact

Claudia Avila-Lopez, (615) 322-8529 ext. 11