The Arc Of Tennessee Inc

The Arc Tennessee is a grassroots, non-profit, statewide advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Founded in 1952, The Arc Tennessee is affiliated with The Arc United States and works collaboratively with thirteen local chapters across the state. The Arc Tennessee empowers people I/DD  and their families to actively participate in the community throughout their lifetime. The funds requested in the application will support The Arc of Tennessee’s advocacy efforts, which include the improvement of health care for Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The organization seeks to do so by first ensuring that people with I/DD are active participants managing their own health outcomes, and second by ensuring that, the complex needs of this population are included in every decision made as it relates to Tennessee’s health care and long term support and services (LTSS) systems.  The Arc TN accomplishes both outcomes by including people with I/DD in the process of educating their peers, government officials, health plans, hospitals, medical personnel, and LTSS providers about best practices in service delivery of health care and LTSS.