Executive Director

My wife, Tracy, and I founded Tennessee Family Solutions in conjunction with other members of the Parent/Guardian Association of Clover Bottom Developmental Center. We have three daughters. Marla, our youngest, has profound mental retardation and was the impetus for our involvement in this venture. I am a biomedical engineer by training with an MBA degree earned while working for Bayer Corporation in their Diagnostics Division. I served as a District Service Manager for Bayer until I resigned in 1999 to start TFS.

Operations Director

Nicole joined Tennessee Family Solutions in December of 2005. She graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Child. Having a sister with Developmental Disabilities has helped to prepare Nicole for her changing roles at TFS. Nicole was part of a Family Teaching Couple in the Hermitage area and then became a Program Director for the Murfreesboro area. Throughout her years at TFS Nicole has gained invaluable experience that has prepared her for the current role of Operations Director at TFS.

Human Resources

Behavior Analyst Staff

Allison joined the TFS team in June of 2008 as the Behavior Analyst for our Murfreesboro Hub. She came to us from Gadsden, AL where she gained experience developing skill acquisition and behavior change programs for the DIDS population after earning her Master of Science degree in Psychology/Behavior Analysis from Jacksonville State University. Allison also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forensic Psychology. She is currently working toward obtaining certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Tiffany came to us from Chicago and joined the TFS team in July 2009. Throughout her studies in behavior analysis, she has gained experience in teaching and developing plans for the developmentally disabled population. She has 5+ years of experience working with those on the Autism Spectrum. Tiffany has worked as a Behavior Lead and Line Therapist, Autism Camp Counselor, and Social Skills Therapist. She received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology at Bradley University and her Masters of Science in Behavior Analysis and Therapy at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Nursing Staff

Risha Young joined TFS in October 2007 as the Hermitage LPN. She came to us from Colorado Springs, CO where she was working in a sub-acute unit. Risha holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Ouachita Baptist University and attained her nursing license at Pikes Peak Community. She is currently attending TSU in pursuit of her RN degreee.

Program Directors

Betty Lymon joined Tennessee Family Solutions in November of 2006 as a Program Director for the Hermitage Hub. Betty attended the University of Wisconsin where she gained experience that she later utilized in her current employment. Betty worked in communication for several years and was also the Vice President for the Communication Workers of America before changing her focus to work with individuals with disabilities. Betty is a strong advocate for the individuals that she serves and her dedication to the population has touched and changed many lives.

Emma David joined Tennessee Family Solutions in October of 2005. Emma graduated from Alabama A&M University with a degree in Business Administration and Computer Science. Emma has previously worked with NASA and A&M University as a Data Analyst. Emma was introduced to the population that TFS serves through a friend and began her career in Developmentally Disabled population as Direct Support Professional. Over the years Emma has gained valuable experience and was promoted to a Family Teacher where she learned valuable insight on the administrative aspect of TFS while still committed to the individuals that she serves. Currently, Emma has utilized all of her skills and knowledge and operates as a Program Director in the Murfreesboro area. Emma strongly believes in the elements of the Teaching Family Model and demonstrates on a daily basis client advocacy, self-determination for our individuals, family-style living, and was the first Program Director to certify a Teaching Family Couple.

Larry Hickey graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 1998 with a Business Administration degree. Larry has an abundance of experience and joined the Tennessee Family Solutions team in October of 2006. Larry is a Program Director for the Murfreesboro area and has recently taken on the added responsibility of becoming a QMRP for the first ICF-MR home. Larry enjoys working for the diverse population that TFS serves. He is rewarded each day by viewing the positive interactions and gained independence that our individuals experience.

Quality Assurance / Service Coordinator

Shelly Hall is the Services and Quality Assurance Coordinator for TFS. Shelly has been an involved family member since TFS’ inception and began working for the agency in December of 2005. Shelly’s sister Marla lives in one of TFS’ Supported Living homes and is supported by a wonderful Family Teaching Couple and dedicated staff.

Incident Management Coordinator/QA

Kevin Scarlett joined the TFS team in January 2010 as the agency Incident Management Coordinator and QA auditor. Kevin has over 10 years of experience in the field of Developmental Disabilities & Mental Retardation, and has worked in various capacities during that time including as a direct support professional, program supervisor and trainer, transition coordinator, and now in his current roles as Incident Management Coordinator & QA. Kevin is really excited to have the opportunity to work with such a caring, professional, and family-oriented agency as those are just a few of many attributes that TFS possesses in supporting the individuals served. Kevin lives in the Nashville area with his son, Logan, and his wife, Stacy. Other than his job, Kevin is very passionate about spending time with his family, sports, meeting new people, and volunteer work.

Trainer

Jaynie joined the TFS team as Agency Trainer and Incident Management Coordinator in January of 2008. She has achieved all required certifications from DIDS to train all courses required by that agency. She is also a certified Red Cross Instructor for Adult CPR, Infant and Child CPR, AED, and First Aid. She has completed the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Instructor Certification Program and is an authorized CPI instructor for the agency. Jaynie has also achieved certification as a Teaching Family Association (TFA) instructor. Jaynie previously has served as Social Services/ Activity Director in a geriatric facility and has owned and operated a state licensed child care facility for pre-school and special needs children. She has two daughters, three grandchildren, and lives in Smyrna with her husband, Bob.

Administrative Assistants

Tracy Kennedy has been working part-time for Tennessee Family Solutions as an admin assistant since January 2001, but her involvement with TFS began much earlier when she and her husband Ralph got involved in the Parent-Guardian Association (PGA) of Clover Bottom Developmental Center where their youngest daughter, Marla, was residing at the time back in the mid-1990’s. As a result of the People First lawsuit against Clover Bottom and the other developmental centers in Tennessee that has been intended to close down these centers, Ralph started Tennessee Family Solutions with the help of members of the Clover Bottom PGA and Tracy has been involved in this process also from the beginning. Among Tracy’s many blessings are her husband, Ralph, and their three daughters (and son-in-law Spencer): Heather, Shelly and Marla, as well as the grandchildren (Justin, Darren, Brent, Hailey, Julia and Sadie)! And then there are the dedicated people who have made TFS what it is today. Some of the things that Tracy loves to do for fun and relaxation is to get her watercolors out, or hike on a wooded trail and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors!

Susan has been with TFS since November, 2007. She graduated from University of Texas/Arlington with a BA in Business. After living in many different locales due to job relocations, she and her husband chose to settle down in Nashville. Like everyone at TFS, she wears many hats. Susan takes care of  payroll, client finances, and is  also the administrative assistant. Additionally, she enjoys the time she gets to spend with our individuals when they come in to the Nashville office.

Director of Maintenance

David Dutton has been working for TFS since January of 2009. He has over 10 years of experience in the maintenance and repair of residential living facilities and is fully certified in HVAC (heating and air). David enjoys serving the TFS community and considers everyone he has met to be a close personal friend. Favorite Quote:  ”The reason the Creator is treating us this way is to force us to come to the realization that we must change our relationships with each other from hate (reception) to love (bestowal).”