WOA - Commissioner Turner From DIDD Joins the Show

Waves of Awareness welcomes Dr. Levi Harris, the Middle Tennessee Regional Director of the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, to discuss his journey into his current position that makes such an impact on Adult Services. Staci Davis opens the conversation to Matt Moore and Waves Executre Director, Lance Jordan, to hear some questions on the DIDD and Dr. Harris himself. Matt first asks Dr. Harris about how he became Regional Director and where is all started. Dr. Harris shares about his home in Alabama and the cases that slowly made it obvious Tennessee was where he needed to be. Originally planning on only staying in TN for a few years, it became clear to Dr. Harris and his wife that TN was his new home.

Lance Jordan picks Dr. Harris' brain on how parents can first start gaining information on receiving Adult Services and where to even begin. Together the group go over where to gain information, what makes Adult Services so important, and how those services have evolved to become focused on the individual.

Listen to an important look inside Adult Services through Waves and DIDD along with fun questions that keep everyone coming back for more. 

This week's episode goes mobile and heads over to the Waves Fairview Day Program. With Staci Davis taking the lead, she welcomes our Fairview Adults Jimmy, Eric, Vonda, Adam, Hannah, Stephanie, and Roger! Filled with excitement, the group takes off discussing life updates.

Eric shares about his trip to the Williamson County Animal Center, Stephanie about her trip to the movies, and Jimmy on his upcoming plans.

Staci takes the discussion into everyone's favorite movies, the movies we love and the movies we hate. The conversation dives deeper into how losing loved ones makes you value the good memories you have across the board. Roger takes the mic and leads us into his favorite topic ever, Elvis Presley. 

We even get to hear Roger sing his favorite song and come up with new content you might spot on our socials (hint hint: be sure you're following @waves_serves on Instagram). 

Don't miss the amazing rollercoaster conversation in this week's episode! Let us know what you're favorite part was on our Waves of Awareness Instagram (@waves_awareness_pod). 

Do you follow Waves Early Learning (@earlylearningwaves) on Instagram? If not, you've been missing the Expressing Emotions series created by Waves Early Interventionists. This week's episode welcomes these authors Jennifer Choate, Gwen Valiquette, and Cheryl Vooris to talk in depth about the Expressing Emotions series. These Interventionists share why it's important to teach children how to properly express their emotions and tips on how families can help them do this. Hosts Staci Davis, Matt Moore, and Christy Webb ask questions on what to do when you are frustrated and how to help others express their emotions. Hear what Christy and Matt do to express their emotions healthily and what Cheryl, Gwen, and Jen have learned over their years as Early Interventionists with Waves. 

The Extended Option is offered by the Tennessee Early Intervention System to families who are eligible as a resource to extend the services they are receiving for their child with disabilities or developmental delays. This episode of Waves of Awareness welcomes Chelsey Herron to better understand what this means to families.

Along with Staci Davis, Gina Wilson, Matt Moore, and Eric Wilson, the group begins by hearing Chelsey's story. Chelsey's daughter, Hazel, received a diagnosis of Down Syndrome during pregnancy and began receiving services from Waves Early Learning not long after Hazel was born. Because of Covid, however, Hazel's first sessions were done through a screen (as many families were during this time). By the time Hazel was able to transition to in-person sessions, there were still many goals set for her. 

Chelsey answers questions from Matt, Eric, and Staci on how the Extended Option benefited her and why her family ultimately chose the Extended Option for Hazel. Gina Wilson also chimes in with her perspective on the Extended Option from the Director's position and witnessing how her family who has chosen this has benefited. Learn about the Extended Option in this week's episode and hear life updates from Matt and Eric! 

What is a Holistic Approach and how does it apply to Adult Services and Early Learning? This week's Waves of Awareness episode welcomes back Gina and Marci from the Waves Early Learning and Adult Services Departments to discuss how a Holistic Approach can positively impact the individuals Waves supports. Waves Development and Community Relations Director, Staci Davis, leads the table alongside Christy Webb, Eric Wilson, and Matt Moore to shed some light on Holistic Approaches and how it is incorporated into the services Waves offers. Learn about a person-centered approach to IDD and how looking at an individual as a whole can help them achieve their goals. Christy, Eric, and Matt share their own experience with Waves and what their favorite moments have been with Waves. Finish the episode by hearing our guests dream big and answer what everyone would do with Waves if money and resources weren't an issue!

This episode marks the start of season 7 for Waves of Awareness! To kick start the season, we welcome guests from both Waves Early Learning and Adult Services Departments to speak on goals. Gina Wilson and Marci P. Cohen join the table alongside our host Trent Denson. Additionally, WOA welcomes Matt "the Man" Moore, Eric Wilson, Tripp Abney, and Christy Web! With the table packed, the group dives into their goals for the year and what they hope to work on in the coming months. We hear everything from work goals to personal health, as well as a few off-the-mic tips from our season 6 regular Izzy! Gina and Marci also share their personal goals as well as what the Early Learning and Adult Services Departments aim to focus on this year. The group chats about the importance of goals and how setting them gives us something to look forward to and focus on. Enjoy the first episode of the season and let us know if it inspired you to add anything to your own goals!

For WOA's final episode, guests from the Residential Program, Day Program, and ECF Program gather around the mic to talk all things Thanksgiving. Trent, Matt Moore, Christy Webb, John Lynch, Beth Hughes, Waves Executive Director Lance Jordan, and Waves Development and Community Relations Director Stavi Davis start the show with Thanksgiving traditions. Listen to the group share who invested in the food and who's there for the Thanksgiving parade. The group dives into past Thanksgivings together, having known each other for years through Waves. As the conversation goes through what everyone has planned for the holiday season, we also hear the table share what they're most thankful for this year. Everyone has a special thanks for Waves and the 50 years that have been committed to providing inclusive and quality care to the individuals receiving services. Enjoy this week's episode as family and community are at the forefront of everyone's mind.

This podcast is made possible through partnerships with Spread the Positive, TN's Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the Community Foundation of Middle TN. If you like what you hear, share it with a friend and leave a review on any streaming service. Got an idea for a guest, email us at podcast@wavesinc.com.

When it comes to treatment for Autism, WOA welcomes Jenny Baggett to share the best, current information for you to learn from. Jenny Baggett works with Vanderbilts Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) as a Behavioral Analyst. Jenny is joined by Waves Early Learning Director Gina Wilson to talk about their many collaborations together over the years, having supported the same families and assisted their growth. Trent and Matt listen to Gina and Jenny discuss how research and treatment have evolved over the years for autism and how some of the treatments would be useful for anyone to use. Listen to Matt give life updates after his big Cinderella debut and what's coming up down the line.

This podcast is made possible through partnerships with Spread the Positive, TN's Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the Community Foundation of Middle TN. If you like what you hear, share it with a friend and leave a review on any streaming service. Got an idea for a guest, email us at podcast@wavesinc.com.

WOA heads to Fairview for this week's episode and it's a packed house! With Trent, Hannah Rose, Jimmy, Jeff, Eric, Adam, Paul and our special guest Debbie Rainey the episode is packed with conversation. Debby Rainey currently works for United Way in Fairview but first connect with Waves through Meals on Wheels, where she worked for 14 years. She regularly saw the Waves Fairview Day Program Adults volunteer there and built a bond with the group. Jimmy shares her connection with Debbie and how they've built a positive relationship through community outreach. The rest of the group shares there plans for Halloween with the Annual Fairview Halloween party around the corner! Hannah Rose shares her favorite shows on Disney Plus and even mentions a few pillars of society we all could take a note from. Listen to the full episode to hear everyone share the podcast spotlight!

This podcast is made possible through partnerships with Spread the Positive, TN's Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the Community Foundation of Middle TN. If you like what you hear, share it with a friend and leave a review on any streaming service. Got an idea for a guest, email us at podcast@wavesinc.com.

This week's episode features a special event for the entire Waves family. This year marks 50 years of spreading awareness and supporting adults and children with developmental and intellectual disabilities for Waves. To celebrate the amazing community Waves supports, Waves hosted their annual Brews & Grooves Fundraiser featuring performances by Aaron Bucks and Waves Adults. Additionally, the event hosted an online auction with an amazing array of items for anyone to bid on and support Waves. During the event Waves of Awareness host Trent Denson set up and interviewed guests you've heard on the podcast and newcomers supporting the fundraiser. Listen to Trent enjoy conversations with everyone about their lives and their relationship with Waves!

If you would like to show your support for Waves, head to https://wavesinc.kindful.com/?campaign=1257617. Any amount goes a long way to support our adults and children and continue to serve the Waves mission to empower the individuals we support and create an inclusive community.

This podcast is made possible through partnerships with Spread the Positive, TN's Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the Community Foundation of Middle TN. If you like what you hear, share it with a friend and leave a review on any streaming service. Got an idea for a guest, email us at podcast@wavesinc.com.