In July 2024, Tennessee’s Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) and the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD, the State Unit on Aging [SUA]) merged to form a new state agency called the Department of Disability and Aging (DDA). The merger was sparked by ongoing efforts by the SUA to increase No Wrong Door system governance and the state Medicaid agency’s development of a multisector plan for aging (MPA). The DDA will allow for more integrated collaboration and resource sharing between the aging and disability offices. DIDD’s established and accredited person-centered planning training program will be used to train SUA and No Wrong Door partner staff. Additionally, the state will launch a new, online DDA Resource Directory. The same legislation that led to the merger of DIDD and TCAD also called for massive improvements to the state’s information technology (IT) system. Tennessee’s No Wrong Door Governing Body agencies currently use different IT systems. Aligning on a single system will tighten closed-loop referrals and streamline access to long-term services and supports. The Governing Body consists of the following agencies: 

• The DDA
• Bureau of TennCare (the state Medicaid agency)
• Pathfinder (the information & referral agency)
• The Department of Human Services’ Adult Protection Services division
• The Department of Transportation

The merger also elevated the SUA from a commission to a cabinet-level state department, which created new opportunities to work with other state departments and collaborate across programs, such as the Lifespan Respite and National Family Caregiver Support programs. A member of the Governing Body said, “The No Wrong Door grant has opened a lot of doors to other state departments and has brought on just a wealth of opportunity to combine services.” These connections with other departments will be especially helpful as DDA works to implement the state’s MPA.