Reutilization Program: Building a Statewide Network Tennessee Technology Access Program (TTAP)

Statewide Reutilization Conference Developed a conference steering committee that included representatives of various disability-related agencies to help with the planning processDeveloped a conference steering committee that included representatives of various disability-related agencies to help with the planning process –Council on Developmental Disabilities –UCP of Middle TN –Chattanooga Goodwill Industries –Assistive Technology Center (Signal Centers) –Statewide Independent Living Council / Center for Independent Living –Statewide Advisory Council –TN Disability Pathfinder

Statewide Reutilization Conference Identified organizations that operate a reutilization program or have an interest in the collaborative effortIdentified organizations that operate a reutilization program or have an interest in the collaborative effort –Over 55 participants representing more than 30 different organizations Assistive Technology CentersAssistive Technology Centers Centers for Independent LivingCenters for Independent Living Commission on Aging & DisabilityCommission on Aging & Disability Disability-related organizationsDisability-related organizations

Statewide Reutilization Conference All day meeting held in NashvilleAll day meeting held in Nashville Provided a limited number of stipends to assist participants traveling a significant difference in paying for the cost of their hotel roomsProvided a limited number of stipends to assist participants traveling a significant difference in paying for the cost of their hotel rooms

Statewide Reutilization Conference First step in creating a statewide network by giving participants an opportunity to learn more about reutilization and exchange ideas with each other.First step in creating a statewide network by giving participants an opportunity to learn more about reutilization and exchange ideas with each other. Agenda allowed various opportunities for participants to do both in one dayAgenda allowed various opportunities for participants to do both in one day

Statewide Reutilization Conference Agenda:Agenda: –Presentation given by Pass It On Center staff – Carolyn Phillips & Liz Persaud –Existing Collaboration in Tennessee –Networking / Table Discussions –Regional Breakout Groups Ways to increase donations of assistive technology and durable medical equipmentWays to increase donations of assistive technology and durable medical equipment Define potential partnersDefine potential partners Formulate a “Regional Plan”Formulate a “Regional Plan”

Next Steps… Continue identifying and including additional agencies in the networkContinue identifying and including additional agencies in the network Implement goals made in “Regional Plans”Implement goals made in “Regional Plans” –Regional meetings –Form committees Develop plan for sustainabilityDevelop plan for sustainability

VISTA Members’ Roles TTAP is funding a VISTA Member at each of the five contracted assistive technology centers and its statewide officeTTAP is funding a VISTA Member at each of the five contracted assistive technology centers and its statewide office Main goal is to increase the capacity of the Reutilization Program throughout the state by working together to expand the network and develop a sustainability planMain goal is to increase the capacity of the Reutilization Program throughout the state by working together to expand the network and develop a sustainability plan

VISTA Members’ Roles Increase public awareness about reutilizationIncrease public awareness about reutilization Contact and recruit additional potential partners to join the statewide networkContact and recruit additional potential partners to join the statewide network Plan regional meetingsPlan regional meetings Collaborate with each other to support reutilization activities across the stateCollaborate with each other to support reutilization activities across the state

Collaboration Beyond State Lines We appreciate the opportunity to share information about our program’s reutilization efforts with you and hope that it gave you insight into our approachWe appreciate the opportunity to share information about our program’s reutilization efforts with you and hope that it gave you insight into our approach We welcome any feedback that you have to share with us so that we can continue to learn from each otherWe welcome any feedback that you have to share with us so that we can continue to learn from each other –Questions? –Comments?