The Arc of Tennessee Inc

The Arc Tennessee is a grassroots, non-profit statewide advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Incorporated in 1952, The Arc Tennessee is affiliated with The Arc of the United States and works collaboratively with fifteen local chapters statewide. The Arc Tennessee empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to actively participate in the community throughout their lifetime. Through advocacy, the agency seeks to improve health for Tennesseans by expanding access to TennCare medical services and home and community-based long term social supports (LTSS) for people with IDD, shifting health policies/systems to favor people with IDD making their own health decisions vs. favoring unnecessary conservatorship, and increasing the network of available quality services and supports for people with IDD and a co-occurring mental health diagnosis. The organization also seeks to educate state and federally elected officials on the critical role of Medicaid for the health and well-being of people with IDD.