We work to create a better life for our community

Signal Centers has been serving Chattanooga for 65 years through a tapestry of 13 local, regional, and statewide programs focusing on disabilities, early childhood education, and self-sufficiency.

Our vision centers around
 a community that fosters lifelong independence
Joyful woman in motorized chair
Older woman reading to a child
Small girl smiling with hands on her chin

In 1957 two mothers of children with cerebral palsy joined together to advocate for services for their loved ones. Nearly 35 years before the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandated accommodations for individuals with disabilities, Signal Centers’ mission was to ensure that all people, regardless of ability or circumstance, could achieve a life of self-sufficiency.

Signal Centers has since added 12 programs that advance that goal. Whether you are a caregiver looking for respite, a new parent feeling overwhelmed, an educator building an early childhood career, or an aging adult seeking information about recent hearing loss, we are here for you.

Happy man with vibrant orange shirt

We create opportunities for lifelong independence

Achieving self-sufficiency doesn't have a blueprint. That is why our programs are designed to meet our families where they are, to partner with them, and to train or connect them to resources that will help them achieve their personal independence goals.
Need
Provide those on welfare a path to stable employment
Response
48
Individuals secured jobs in licensed child care facilities (Work Ready)
Need
Increase the early identification of developmental delays in children
Response
2,527
Children, ages birth to five, were screened for a potential disability (The Speech & Hearing Center)
Need
Help teen parents find stability
Response
100%
Teen parents are on track to graduate high school (Family Forward)
Need
Enroll all eligible children in Hamilton County in the Imagination Library
Response
14,000
Children receive free books every month (Imagination Library)
Need
An inclusive classroom model for children with and without disabilities
Response
85%
Children eligible for special education on track to meet their Individualized Education Program goals (Children's Services)
Need
Promote quality care by providing caregiver respite
Response
5,500
Respite days for caregivers last year (Adult Day Services)
Need
Elevate the quality of care of Tennessee's Early Childhood workforce
Response
54,000
Early childhood professionals received on-site technical assistance and coaching (TN CCR&R)

We seek to fill the gaps

Across Tennessee, underserved families, child care professionals, and individuals with disabilities experience a lack of support in several key areas.
We’re working to change that.

A
Labor shortages in child care
B
Tracks to stable employment
C
Access to assistive devices
D
Neuro-development in children
E
Caregiver support
F
Child care resources & support
G
Family support & mentoring
H
Access to quality books for young children
I
Developmental therapy
J
Art therapy for children and adults
K
Salary supplements for early child care professionals
L
Social and emotional development in early childhood

Signal Centers' programs

A place where everyone can find connection and encouragement

Explore programs

Partners

In good company with our longstanding partners

The work of Signal Centers is vast and unified in its commitment to advancing self-sufficiency. It would not be possible without committed funders, community partners, individual contributors, and volunteers who believe in our mission.

Together we can create
A better world for Chattanooga and beyond

Featured Event

20th Annual ABC Event

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Friends of Special Children's partnership with Signal Centers. This special event will look back on all the ways Friends have supported the families at Signal Centers, while also building excitement for the future. This year's event will raise funds for Signal Centers' endowment, ensuring stability and sustainability for the agency's programming for years to come.

People on stage
People talking in chairs on stage
Person presenting art

Careers

Join the mission on
Signal Centers' team

Our staff of hundreds of compassionate individuals care deeply about our impact. And we do all we can for our team, working to make every employee feel consistently cared for and appreciated.

Happy people doing art
Group photo of team outside

Testimonials

Hear from our community

Volunteering at Signal Centers is incredibly rewarding because it allows me to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Every moment spent there reminds me of the power of community and the importance of inclusion. It's not just about giving my time—it's about being part of a mission that empowers people to live more independent and fulfilling lives. The smiles, the progress, and the connections I witness are a constant reminder of why I love being involved.
Julianna Seder
Volunteer
My time at the Adult Day Center was such a beautiful and unique experience. The staff was so appreciative of the time I put in, and the attendees were as happy to see me as I was to see them. I was encouraged to participate in crafts, dog therapy, and movie days. There is a such a sense of joy that surrounds Signal Centers.
Reagan Kibler
Caregiver
Our weekly one-hour sessions at home are empowering, allowing us to engage in activities that we can implement as parents throughout the week. We have gained confidence to support Amelia’s unique needs as she works hard to meet her milestones. Her progress in meeting and exceeding her goals is a direct result of the collaboration and consistency that comes from these sessions. The most rewarding part as parents is the joy we feel when Amelia beams with pride as she realizes an achieved goal.
Kyndal and Kenton Aiken
Developmental Therapy Parents
When I had my daughter at 15, it was really stressful. At the time, the pandemic was starting to arise and it was scary. To know that Family Forward is there to give you resources, or supplies, or just support means a lot. To me, Family Forward means less stress and more happiness.
Vinelba Gonzalez
Family Forward Participant
Seeing my daughter's growth... it wouldn't have been possible without Signal Centers. She used to keep to herself, and had difficulty walking and communicating with other children. Now, it's like she is a different person. I can't say thank you enough.
Quinntessa Goodwin
Children's Services Mother
I want a successful story. I want to be able to live to tell my grandkids that I survived depression. I survived anxiety. I survived suicidal thoughts. I didn’t take my life. I stayed, I fought, and I won. Doing art at the Hart Gallery gave me that tool. Now I know that I have a purpose and a voice.
Dominique Pruitt
Hart Gallery Artist
My wife and I can go to work and live our lives knowing that Destiny is well taken care of at Signal Centers. She gets to experience self-sufficiency and gets to enjoy her life independent of us, and it helps bring us all closer together as a family when we come back together at the end of the day.
Bobby Carpenter
Adult Caregiver
It was a huge relief for us to be taken in at Signal Centers. I know my children are well taken care of here and it has made me less stressed as their mother.
Kristen Schrader
Children's Services Mother