Department Spotlight: Meet the OPTIONS team

Amber Harvey (standing) assisting our newest OPTIONS Counselor Treassa Dunning in Johnson County

The OPTIONS program at First Tennessee Development District (FTDD) helps older adults and adults with disabilities remain safe, independent, and connected to their communities. As part of Tennessee’s OPTIONS for Community Living program, this state-funded initiative provides services and support designed to help individuals avoid or delay nursing home placement by continuing to live in their own homes.

The program serves Tennessee residents age 18 and older who need assistance with daily living activities. Services may include personal care, homemaker assistance, food support, case management, personal emergency response systems, and self-directed care options that allow eligible individuals to hire certain family members or friends as caregivers. Applications are coordinated through local Area Agencies on Aging and Disability (AAAD), making access to support available throughout the region.

We have nine OPTIONS Counselors that help connect individuals with these vital services. Seven counselors are based in community locations across Northeast Tennessee, including the Elizabethton Senior Center, Johnson City Memorial Center, Jonesborough Senior Center, Rogersville Senior Center, Mountain City Senior Center, Bluff City Impact Center, and Roby Senior Center in Greeneville. Two additional counselors are located in-house, supporting the program’s efforts across the region.

Leading the program is OPTIONS Program Manager Genie Guinn, who has been with FTAAAD for nearly 22 years. Her long-standing commitment to the organization reflects her deep passion for serving others and strengthening the community.

For Genie, the most rewarding part of her job is serving people in need and recognizing that even the smallest act of kindness can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

She describes teamwork as people coming together with a shared goal of helping others and doing their best to create positive outcomes for the community. One of the things she values most about FTDD is its family-like atmosphere with a team that is united in their commitment to improving the lives of those they serve.

OPTIONS Counselor Amber Harvey, who joined FTAAAD in 2011, shares that same dedication to service. She began her journey with the organization as a social work intern and has remained committed to supporting older adults and individuals with disabilities across the region ever since.

For Amber, the most rewarding part of her work is witnessing the real-life impact of the services provided through the OPTIONS program.

“I enjoy being able to witness the success stories,” Amber says. “From providing meals to someone who had been relying on soups and cereals for nourishment, to helping an individual obtain a shower chair so they can bathe safely, to building a ramp so an older adult can safely exit their home—it is a true privilege to be involved in these individuals’ lives.”

Stories like these reflect the heart of the OPTIONS program—helping individuals maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life. Whether through personal care, home support services, nutrition assistance, or simply connecting individuals with the right resources, the OPTIONS team works every day to make a meaningful difference.

FTDD is proud to recognize Genie, Amber, and the entire OPTIONS team for their dedication, compassion, and long-term commitment to serving our region. Their work continues to help individuals remain safely at home and connected to their communities, one person at a time.

For more information about the OPTIONS program or to apply for services, contact your local Area Agency on Aging and Disability at 1-866-836-6678.