WHO
WE ARE
ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION
Established
in 1971, CDS is a private, non-profit, community-based agency serving
Weakley, Obion, Henry, Lake and Carroll Counties in Northwest Tennessee.
The administrative office is located adjacent to the campus of the University
of Tennessee at Martin. CDS provides an
array of services to individuals who are developmentally disabled, assisting
them to live normally in the community. Normalization, the highest form of
independence, is the ultimate goal. CDS
strives to design a program of care service and training which reflects the
normal life style of the community. The
individual’s program is planned with a vision of the future.
ORGANIZATION
BACKGROUND
July 1, 1971 – The West Tennessee Easter Seal Society announced a
grant to open a day care center for 32 children who had been excluded from
school because of their handicaps. A
staff of eight was hired and trained and children from Lake, Obion and Weakley
Counties were recruited. The doors
opened for the first time in September 1971 in a house on the campus of the
University of Tennessee at Martin.
Faculty and students helped provide approximately 5000 volunteer
hours. Federal and state funding was
made available for the first time for such services but was required to be
matched locally. A wonderful
cooperative spirit was demonstrated with our matching funds coming from the
Area Lions Club Telethon, cities and the four county governments, churches,
organizations and individuals. By 1974
legislation was passed mandating public education for children with
disabilities so the children transferred to public school. The adults who had never had an opportunity
to attend school or to receive an appropriate education became the agency’s priority. In 1975 adults from Henry County were
included in the service delivery area.
In 1984-85 the Tennessee Easter Seal Society dissolved its three
regional chapters, consolidating administration under one office in
Nashville. The Martin Easter Seal
Advisory Committee determined this was an opportune time to become a “free-standing” agency. On December 1, 1985 Community Developmental
Services, Inc. was chartered with a local advisory committee. CDS continued to provide day activity and
residential services. The agency has
expanded service provisions that include sheltered work, supported employment,
follow-along and supported living. In
May 2003, CDS also began providing services in Carroll County.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Tennessee
Network of Community Organizations
Henry
County Chamber of Commerce
Weakley
County Chamber of Commerce
Carroll County Chamber of Commerce
MANAGEMENT / KEY PERSONNELL
|
Cathy Cate |
Executive Director |
cathycate@frontiernet.net |
|
Linda Toney |
Quality Assurance / Agency
Training Coordinator |
lindatoney@frontiernet.net |
|
Faye Floyd |
Administrative Assistance |
fayefloyd@frontiernet.net |
|
Cherry Webb |
Residential Coordinator |
cherrywebb@frontiernet.net |
|
Wendy Bratton |
Residential Coordinator |
wendybratton@frontiernet.net |
|
Sherry Drushal |
Workshop Supervisor |
sherrydrushal@frontiernet.net |
|
Oliver Weldon |
Day Training Center Supervisor |
oliverwelden@frontiernet.net |
|
Linda Plunk |
Social Service Representative |
lindaplunk@frontiernet.net |
|
Karen Lawrence |
Day Services Casemanager /
Admissions |
karenlawrence@frontiernet.net |
|
Sandra Johnson |
Day Services Casemanager |
sandrajohnson@frontiernet.net |
|
Sandy Stevens |
Director of Vocational
Services |
sandystevens@frontiernet.net |
|
Janine Anderson |
Facilities Manager |
janineanderson@frontiernet.net |
|
Kim Turner |
Accountant |
kimturner@frontiernet.net |
|
Dwayne Webb |
Site Manager – Carroll County |
cdscc@bellsouth.net |
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CDS has a volunteer Board of Directors
representing each of the counties served by the agency. The Board of Directors
are the governing body of CDS, making the executive decisions that affect the
direction of the organization. The Board meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each
month are open to the public. The officers of the Board of Directors are:
Jimmy Mann, Chairperson
Lew Solomon, Vice-Chairperson
Jan Foy, Secretary
V.E. “Gene” Busby, Treasurer
Other
members of the Board of Directors are, Wayne Bailey, Mark Maddox, Royce Lynch,
Bettye Giles & Kathy Veazey.
CLIENTS
CDS
clients are individuals who are developmentally disabled to various degrees.
Clients consist of men and women, age 22 and older, who strive for
normalization with the highest level of independence safely possible. Clients
are benefited by a variety of services, including day services, vocational services and
residential services.
STAFF
As
with any organization, the success of CDS depends on the competency of the
personnel who manage the day-to-day operations. Whether they are working
directly with the clients or performing the administrative functions, the staff
at CDS is more than adequate to carry out the everyday needs of the
organization. Staff training is provided upon employment as required by the
Division of Mental Retardation.
Information concerning staff education levels, qualifications such as
TNCO Credentials can be obtained by contacting the administrative office.
FUNDING SOURCES *
TN Division of Mental Retardation Services
TN Division of Rehabilitation Services
WPSD/Lions
Club Telethon of Stars
City and County Governments
Henry County Helping Hand, Inc.
TN Department of Transportation
Housing and Urban Development
TN Housing Developmental Agency
United Way of West Tennessee
Private Donations
*CDS has an Memorial Endowment Fund administered by the Commercial Bank and Trust in Paris, TN. If you would like to participate in the CDS endowment program or if you would like more information, please contact the administrative office.