Workforce Essentials, Inc.
350 Pageant Lane, Suite 406

Clarksville, TN   37040

Sharyn Hancock, Disability Resource Coordinator
931-551-9737
shancock@workforceessentials.com
http://www.workforceessentials.com
They work with people with disabilities to find employment.  Click this link for locations in other counties:  http://www.workforceessentials.com/location/

Neighborhoods Resource Center
1312 Third Avenue North
Nashville, TN  37208
Mike Hodge (Other contacts are:  Yolanda Vaughn and Melissa Gordon)
615-782-8212
www.GettingToWork.Net
Funded by a federal Jobs Access and Reverse Commute grant through the Regional Transportation Authority, is a free resource locator site.  Find lists of services that people need every day or in an emergency in 9 Middle TN counties:

•    Licensed child care
•    Bus routes and other transportation
•    Online job resources & links to large employers
•    Job training agencies
•    Libraries and community centers
•    Colleges, universities, and trade schools
•    Public schools
•    Health clinics
•    Emergency housing & long-term affordable housing
•    Other resources.

Site includes Interactive Map to see Where these services are and How to get to them, and Lists of Programs with contact information.

Tennessee Career Center at Nashville
665 Mainstream Drive
Nashville, TN   37243
615-253-8920
http://www.sctworkforce.org/
Tennessee has a network of centers across the state where employers can go to find workers they need and job seekers can get career information and services. Each center offers computerized labor market information, Internet access, workshops, an on-line talent bank, job placement, recruitment and training.

Tennessee Rehabilitation Center
460 9th Ave.
Smyrna, TN   37167
615-459-6811
http://www.tennessee.gov/humanserv/rehab/trc.html
Job training for handicapped persons. Must be 18 & live in TN.  Referral is through VR.  They give tours, so call if you'd like to check it out!

Vocational Rehabilitation - Davidson Co.*
88 Hermitage Ave
Nashville, TN   37210
615-741-1606

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal and state-funded program providing services to help individuals with disabilities enter or return to employment. It is designed to assist individuals of work age with physical and/or mental disabilities compete successfully with others in earning a livelihood.

Call to connect with a counselor to open a case file.  Once approved, they will test for aptitude, abilities, and preferences, and you and your counselor will work on finding the right placement and receiving the necessary training to succeed.  Once a position has been secured, VR will provide a job coach for 90 days (or more, if needed) to insure a smooth transition.

* As of July 1, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services can now provide financial support for VR-eligible students who attend one of TN's 4 post-secondary education programs for students with intellectual disabilities.

These programs are another option to assist students in the transition from school to work. For this pilot year, the amount that VR will authorize per semester is $2,400.

Great booklet on how to get a head start with Voc. Rehab:  http://gadd.kc.vanderbilt.edu/tennesseeworks/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Getting-a-Head-Start-with-Vocational-Rehabilitation-10-21-10-FINAL.pdf

Center for Living and Learning
1979 Old Hillsboro Road

Franklin, TN   37064

Fran Clippard, Founder/Executive Director
(615) 269-9932
www.centerforlivingandlearning.com
This is a non-profit adult residence which has several self-sustaining programs:  Community Supported Agriculture (growing their own organic fruits & veggies, which they also sell); Bicycle Repair Shop, Arts and Crafts program, Video Game Assembly, etc.  Some of these are in conjunction with their Voc/Rehab program, which provides job training and placement within the community & can be accessed through the TN Dept. of Human Services Voc-Rehab Dept. You can also access the services directly with private pay.  CFLL goal is to get them working in the community.  If that is not possible due to their level of functioning, they can stay at the sheltered workshop that the center has, but the family will have to pay $8.00 per hour.  The program runs Monday - Friday from 8:00 - 12:00.

Best Buddies Jobs

116 Wilson Pike Circle, Suite 201

Brentwood, TN   37027