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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee endorsed the Tennessee Disability and Aging Act, a measure merging the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) and the Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) into a singular entity named the Department of Disability and Aging (DDA). This legislative move garnered unanimous, bipartisan support from lawmakers and received widespread endorsement from various stakeholders. “When I became governor, I made a commitment to shrink the size of government, ensuring we efficiently and effectively serve all Tennesseans,” said Gov. Lee. “Creating a new Department of Disability and Aging is one example of our work to deliver on that promise, enabling better coordination and stronger advocacy.” The demographic of adults aged 65 and above is growing at a remarkable pace in Tennessee. Given this quickly expanding aging population, it is important for the state to establish robust infrastructural support to address the needs of older residents. TCAD currently holds the designation as Tennessee’s federal “state unit on aging,” overseeing programs outlined in the Older Americans Act and providing leadership on aging-related matters within state governance. Tennessee stands as one of merely two states that previously lacked a cabinet-level agency to house its “state unit on aging.” Moreover, both DIDD and TCAD offer similar supports and services aimed at enhancing the quality of life and autonomy of their respective constituencies. The merging of these agencies will facilitate enhanced coordination on areas of mutual concern.

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Coalition Calendar: April