Welcome to the Consumer Direct Care Network Tennessee (CDTN) newsletter! It comes out four times a year. It's for members, employers and caregivers. Each newsletter will share CDTN news, helpful tips and training topics.
Member Spotlight -
Houston Vandergriff
Houston Vandergriff is a photographer from Knoxville who loves to travel. He was recently honored at the My Perspective Photography Competition in the United Kingdom. This contest celebrates photographers with Down syndrome from around the world. Houston’s photo, Yuma Sunrise, is part of a traveling photo show. It is also featured in the 2025 My Perspective Photobook.
Houston Vandergriff and
Rory Langdon Down
Houston and his mom, Katie, traveled to London for the awards ceremony on November 6. While there, Houston met Rory Langdon Down. Rory is the great-great-grandson of Dr. John Langdon Down, the doctor who first identified Down syndrome. Houston has traveled to 30 countries and all 50 U.S. states. His photos help spread awareness and support inclusion everywhere he goes. (Photos by Katie Vandergriff and Rob Addis)
Daily Notes Reminder
Daily notes must be completed for every shift worked. These notes must be kept in the member’s home.
Each daily note must include:
The member’s name
The caregiver’s name
The date and time worked (this must match electronic records)
The type of service provided, such as Personal Care or Respite
A clear description of what the caregiver did during the shift
Daily notes must be signed by both the caregiver and the Employer of Record (EOR). Support Brokers will review daily notes during each bi-annual home visit. Daily notes may be reviewed at any time by Medical Care Organizations (MCO), Department of Disability and Aging (DDA), Support Brokers or TennCare. These records must be kept for 10 years after the last day of service.
Notes must be completed for every shift. They must be available if requested. If daily notes are missing or not completed correctly, money may have to be paid back.
New Website
The CDTN website has a new look! It is organized by program to make it easier to use. For example, ECF Members receiving services through Employment and Community First CHOICES (ECF) can click the ECF tab to find:
- Member and caregiver trainings
- Required forms
- Pay increase information
This layout helps you find the information you need faster. Click the button below to visit the website.
EVV compliance shows how often caregivers use the CareAttend app to clock in and out during their shifts.
Each caregiver has an EVV score. This score shows the percent of shifts where the app was used correctly. TennCare requires caregivers to have an EVV score of at least 90%.
Manual time entries do not count toward EVV compliance. This includes time entered or changed in the DirectMyCare portal or in the CareAttend App. These actions will lower the caregiver’s EVV score.
W-4 Exemptions (Action Requested)
Caregivers who claimed tax exempt on their State or Federal W-4 forms in 2025 must submit a new W-4 for 2026.
Some caregivers may qualify for tax exemption under the Difficulty of Care Exemption. This applies to certain Medicaid Waiver programs when the member lives in the caregiver’s home.
We obey federal and state civil rights laws. We do not treat people in a different way because of their race, color, birth place, language, age, disability, religion, or sex.
Do you think we did not help you or treated you differently? Then call for free:
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