Tennessee
Tennessee is worst in the nation in supporting caregivers, but here’s how to change that
It’s time for Tennessee to acknowledge the tireless efforts these family caregivers provide and pay them for their work
Tennessee Voices: A conversation with Elizabeth Moss
Tennessean Opinion Editor David Plazas spoke to Elizabeth Moss, founder, Caregivers by WholeCare
Nashville Tennessean
Tennessee ranks last in all 50 states and D.C. in its treatment of family caregivers according to a 2023 AARP report.
This comes as no surprise to Tennessee families who must care for loved ones with disabilities and/or who are aging.
The expectations and stress related to family caregiving are too high and have become unsustainable.
Every day, families reach a breaking point, as one family caregiver explained, “I would like there to be 24/7 support for my son in the family home. He would get this support in any other residential setting, but since he lives with me, it’s expected that I will do everything over 40 hours a week for free. It’s just too much to expect of any person. It’s no wonder that family caregivers go into crisis. Can’t live on four hours of sleep indefinitely.”
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, many states paid family caregivers as a method of protecting medically frail individuals during the pandemic. This experiment helped states understand that paying family caregivers is not only a tool to keep vulnerable community members safe and out of an institutional setting. It also provides critical relief for the family caregiver. It’s time for Tennessee to join this trend and pay these unsung heroes for their work. We can do this through Medicaid Structured Family Caregiving.
Change the system so it works for Tennessee families
Compensating family caregivers is a strategic investment in healthcare. Studies consistently show that family care at home significantly decreases health care utilization such as ER use. Paying family caregivers also recognizes caregivers as integral members of the healthcare team for the person supported. Not only will this prevent the undervaluing of their work but will also promote equity as Black and Hispanic households are more likely to take on family caregiving roles.
Right now, our state’s Medicaid program, TennCare, only has the option of “Consumer Direction” as an indirect way for family caregivers to be compensated.
However, many families have found this option to be impossible to implement. The most impractical barrier for many families is that immediate family members or any person that lives with the person supported, or even lived with the person in the last five years, cannot be paid through Consumer Direction. This structure just doesn’t work for many families.
But we can change the system so that it does work for those who are aging, those that have disabilities, and their families. Implementing this policy requires thoughtful analysis of what Tennessee families experience today, the experience during COVID, and what other states are trying now.
One option that Tennessee can study is Georgia’s state agency, Health Force of Georgia, which manages hiring and paying family caregivers. Another option is the agency-directed model, where family members are hired by existing agencies, as seen in Oregon.
Care giving should not become a financial burden
It’s time to acknowledge the tireless efforts these family caregivers provide and pay them for their work.
They shouldn’t have to choose between caring for a loved one and financially supporting their family.
This not only helps value their work but also reaches the heart of what our TennCare program is about – providing healthcare to Tennesseans.
Vanessa Zapata is an attorney and the director of health policy and equity at the Tennessee Justice Center. She provides direct services to individuals having issues navigating public benefits programs like TennCare Medicaid. She advocates for policies that strengthen public benefits programs, remove access barriers to these programs, and promotes health equity.
Tennessee freshman forward Chris Washington Jr met with the local media earlier this week in his first press conference after committing and signing with the Vols back in the spring.
Washington discussed why he chose Tennessee, what position he has mostly been working at this summer and much more. Here’s everything Washington said.
More From RTI: What Director of Sports Performance Garrett Medenwald Said About Tennessee Basketball Offseason
On what led to him de-committing from Alabama, eventually committing to Tennessee
“Honestly, I just felt like that for me and my family, that was just the best decision for me. And I found my right school, I feel like.”
On his first impressions of the team
“Like I said, me and the guys, we came a long way just from this first month, you know, getting help from DeWayne, and the team, it’s just been a blessing.”
On what the first month has been like for him personally
“Honestly, just getting better day by day. Coach Barnes, he’s coaching me hard. So honestly, just stacking days, just getting better day by day.”
On what Rick Barnes is harping on with him right now
“My defense. The whole country know I can score the ball, so just me, just working on my rotations, being right in the gaps. Defense.”
On what position he is working at.
“Right now, they got me playing four.”
On if they sold development based on his film or Tennessee’s track record
“I mean, honestly, just the track record of like guys he did put in the league, you know what I’m saying? I want to be pro, so like I said, I came to Tennessee, I felt like they’re gonna get me there, he’s gonna get me there.”
On who have been the verbal leaders on the team
“My boy DeWayne and my boy Kenbell (Duncan Campball), them two. They’ve been kind of really helping me.”
On how Tennessee sophomore forward DeWayne Brown has helped the newcomers understand what it’s like to play for the Vols
“I be in practice sometimes, I’ll get lost and he’ll kind of just help me a little bit. I mean, honestly, him just guiding us when we mess up.”
On his relationship with the rest of his freshman class: Manny Green, Ralph Scott and Marquis Clark; if he knew about them on the AAU circuit
“It’s been a great relationship. I didn’t play those guys on the circuit, so for us to be all on the same team, it’s a good thing.”
On playing AAU basketball in Knoxville; if that helped his decision
“It’s great, you know? It’s just amazing, honestly. I’m just glad to be here.”
On how he is liking the new Adidas uniforms
“I’m loving it. We’re in Adidas gear. I’m liking it, I’m loving it.”
On his strengths on offense
“I’d say getting to the rim, getting to my spots, and my (ability) to catch and shoot.”
On where his spots are
“Really just getting to the mid-range, getting down hill.”
On watching last year’s Vols get drafted
“Coach Barnes, him getting those guys there, I know my time’s gonna come.”
On his freshman class
“Oh, we got the best class, I feel like, honestly. We got a good class.”
Why he feels Tennessee has the best freshman class
“Shoot, we all can score, honestly. (Barnes) recruited a lot of scores this year. Even our freshman class, we can all get a bucket.”
Tennessee
Where Tennessee Baseball Players, Commits Land In Final MLB Mock Drafts, Rankings | Rocky Top Insider
The 2026 MLB Draft gets underway on Saturday afternoon to jump start MLB All-Star game festivities in Philadelphia. The two-day, 20-round draft is a highly important once for Tennessee baseball. While there are fewer current Vols projected to be selected, there will be no shortage of Tennessee prep signees and transfer commits who are draft risks.
We’ve compiled a number of both mock drafts and overall draft prospect rankings from a multitude of outlets that give us a look at where Tennessee players, transfers and commits could go. There’s a handful of Tennessee transfer commits who are not listed but are also draft risks including Wright State outfielder Andrew Duncan, Baylor shortstop Travis Sanders, FIU infielder Mario Trivella and Clemson right-handed pitcher Hayden Simmerson.
Taking a look at the mock drafts and draft rankings here.
More From RTI: Clemson Transfer Pitcher Commits To Tennessee Baseball
Current Tennessee player. Tennessee transfer commit. Tennessee high school signee
Mock Drafts
ESPN Two-Round Mock Draft
- LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger — No. 11 to Kansas City
- OF Trevor Condon — No. 14 to Miami
- RHP Tegan Kuhns — No. 34 to Pittsburgh
- RHP Kaiden McCarthy — No. 51 to Pittsburgh
The Athletic One-Round Mock Draft
- LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger — No. 11 to Baltimore
- RHP Tegan Kuhns — No. 24 to Seattle
CBS One-Round Mock Draft
- LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger — No. 18 to Cincinnati
Prospect Rankings
MLB Pipeline Top 250
- OF Trevor Condon — No. 13
- LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger — No. 16
- RHP Tegan Kuhns — No. 25
- RHP Kaiden McCarthy — No. 61
- RHP/SS Cole Koeninger — No. 99
- SS Jack Dugan — No. 106
- C Sean Dunlap — No. 124
- RHP Shawn Sullivan — No. 132
- RHP Tyler Putnam — No. 139
- RHP Gary Morse — No. 141
- 3B/OF Henry Ford — No. 148
- LHP Jake McCoy — No. 152
- C/OF Garrett Wright — No. 190
- RHP Cannon Grant — No. 212
- RHP Bo Rhudy — No. 219
- LHP Ricky Ojeda — No. 243
ESPN Top 250
- LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger — No. 11
- OF Trevor Condon — No. 16
- RHP Tegan Kuhns — No. 32
- C Sean Dunlap — No. 49
- RHP Kaiden McCarthy — No. 52
- RHP Gary Morse — No. 98
- RHP/SS Cole Koeninger — No. 107
- SS Jack Dugan — No. 109
- RHP Tyler Putnam — No. 112
- RHP Cannon Grant — No. 125
- 1B Cody Boshell — No. 142
- LHP Jake McCoy — No. 156
- C/OF Garrett Wright — No. 162
- 3B/OF Henry Ford — No. 183
- RHP Bo Rhudy — No. 201
Perfect Game Top 400
- LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger — No. 16
- OF Trevor Condon — No. 29
- RHP Tegan Kuhns — No. 50
- RHP Kaiden McCarthy — No. 51
- RHP/SS Cole Koeninger — No. 62
- C Sean Dunlap — No. 68
- 3B/OF Henry Ford — No. 134
- 1B/OF AJ Curry — No. 153
- RHP Cannon Grant — No. 176
- RHP Tyler Putnam — No. 190
- SS Jack Dugan — No. 201
- LHP Jake McCoy — No. 227
- RHP Shawn Sullivan — No. 231
- RHP Gary Morse — No. 241
- LHP Ricky Ojeda — No. 251
- RHP Bo Rhudy 255
- SS Jaxson Wood — No. 262
- C/OF Garrett Wright — No. 269
- LHP Brandon Arvidson — No. 274
- SS Manny Marin — No. 375
- OF Reese Chapman — No. 386
- LHP Drew Christine — No. 387
Sissy arrived at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee in 2000, where caretakers began monitoring and managing her osteoarthritis. Sanctuary leaders said a recent progression of the disease caused what they described as “clear signs” of pain and swelling in her right wrist.
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