Early Intervention Lunch and Learns Series: Family Voices of Tennessee: Families Helping Families

An Early Intervention Lunch & Learns with TNSTEP and TEIS.

TN STEP will collaborate with Family Voices of Tennessee (FVTN), a statewide nonprofit organization that provides free support to families of children with disabilities or complex medical needs. Chrissy Hood and Merritt Holmberg will share how families are referred to FVTN and what happens after a referral is received. Their mission to uplift and empower families across the state will be explored, with a discussion on the power of peer support. The audience will hear why experiences matter and how emotional and informational support from one caregiver to another can make a difference. There will be a special focus on the Parent Engagement and Resource Support (PEARS) Program, which is tailored to meet the needs of families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Presenters:
Chrissy Hood, Peer Support Coordinator
Merritt Holmberg, PEARS Parent Guide

Date: August 27, 2025

Time: 11:30-12:30 pm CT/12:30-1:30 pm ET

This session will be presented on TEAMS.

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 294 510 520 818
Passcode:   wg9tt2

Chrissy Hood is the mother of three daughters. Her youngest adult daughter, Alaina, has cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, and complex medical needs. Alaina’s diagnoses are a result of a rare genetic disorder, Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. Through her journey with Alaina, Chrissy has learned to celebrate every success, big or small, and to find joy in life’s little moments.

Alaina has been the driving force behind Chrissy’s advocacy efforts, particularly around adult changing tables in Tennessee. The challenges they face have sparked a deep interest in augmentative and alternative communication. Chrissy is passionate about supporting families and helping them find the resources they need along their journey. She deeply values how Family Voices connects families in need of support. As the Peer Support Coordinator, Chrissy is excited to continue working with families, offering guidance, and helping them connect with needed resources.

Merritt Holmberg has a nursing background and currently serves as a PEARS Parent Guide, supporting families who have children diagnosed with hearing differences.  She has a heroic husband and four children, one of whom was diagnosed late with hearing impairment. She is a hybrid Tennessean – New Yorker and is passionate about helping families in middle Tennessee connect with professional resources, as well as each other.

Previous Lunch and Learns and PowerPoint presentations can be found on the TEIS Community Resource website: TEIS Community Resources.