NASDDDS Board Elections

Brad Turner was appointed in January 2019 by Gov. Bill Lee as the commissioner of the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.  He is the third person to serve in that role since DIDD became a Cabinet level agency in 2011. In his role as commissioner, Turner oversees nearly 2000 employees responsible for administration and oversight of services and supports for tens of thousands of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the home and community-based waiver programs and other innovative solutions. Under the commissioner, DIDD has led the transition of the Tennessee Early Intervention System or TEIS (IDEA Part C Services) from the Department of Education to DIDD. He proposed and lobbied for the extension of those services from age 3 until age 4 in 2022, and successfully gained approval to extend to the maximum age of 5 in 2023. This extension will make Tennessee the only state in the country with this level of early intervention services up to kindergarten for children with developmental delays. Turner has also promoted the alignment of all IDD service delivery systems in a person-centered manner that promotes individual outcomes, independence, and employment for persons supported. He laid the groundwork for Value-Based Payment to ensure a focus on individual outcomes and capacity building across the provider network in Tennessee. Turner has also led the effort to develop the Medicaid Alternative Pathways (MAPs) Program, which will target transition-aged youth and equip them with the skills and tools necessary for them to reach their desired levels of independence. In 2021, he helped launch the TN START Assessment and Stabilization Teams to better serve people with dual diagnoses and provide the tools to decrease behaviors, avoid crisis, allow stabilization in place, and avoid ER and mental health hospital visits. Commissioner Turner also championed the first of its kind 2-part Katie Beckett Waiver that currently provides support for over 2500 families in Tennessee.

In addition, the department has been recognized nationally for its innovation in Employment First and Enabling Technology as a means to promote full access, inclusion and independence for people with disabilities. Under his guidance, DIDD significantly expanded the use of Enabling Technology in the IDD service delivery system to become a national leader in the innovation and use of emerging technologies  In the education space, he developed the Tennessee Believes program to expand inclusive higher education opportunities at institutions across the state and provide more post-secondary options for students with disabilities. The department has also been recognized as the first state service delivery system to receive Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation from the Council on Quality and Leadership. Most recently under Turner’s leadership, the state has developed the TN Strong Families program that serves foster children with disabilities and their families to provide necessary supports for the children in foster homes. Since 2019, Commissioner Turner has helped move the needle by advocating for and receiving $500 million new dollars in the department budget that has allowed DIDD to serve more families than ever before.

Turner sits on the National Association of State Director of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) National Policy Work Group. He also serves on a variety of public and private sector boards, including but not limited to Vanderbilt University Kennedy Center and the Safe Baby Advisory court for the state of Tennessee. He is also a board of trustee member at Trevecca Nazarene University where he graduated with a bachelor of Arts. As the father of a daughter with intellectual and developmental disabilities that inspires him every day, Commissioner Turner is passionate about advocating alongside people with disabilities and their families.

Prior to joining DIDD, Turner was the Director of Client Services at HealthStream Inc., and served as a Rutherford County Commissioner for eight years. Brad, his wife Rebecca and daughter Kinsley live in middle Tennessee.