FY2026 (PADD) DD act state protection & advocacy systems

The Administration for Community Living awarded Disability Rights Tennessee, the designated Protection and Advocacy system for the state, $1,029,465 in formula grant funding on October 1, 2025, under the Developmental Disabilities Basic Support and Advocacy Grants program (CFDA 93.630).

The award funds Disability Rights Tennessee's Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) program, which provides legal advocacy and rights protection services to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout Tennessee. The organization delivers legal representation, investigates allegations of abuse and neglect, and conducts systemic advocacy to enhance community integration and independence. Disability Rights Tennessee operates as a nonprofit organization headquartered in Nashville and serves as a critical resource for disability rights protection across the state.

The period of performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. Work is performed in Tennessee. The grant is classified as a formula award and is processed through a payment management system. Disability Rights Tennessee's work under this funding complements its broader portfolio of federally funded protection and advocacy programs, including the Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR) program, the Client Assistance Program (CAP), Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI), and programs addressing assistive technology access and voting rights.