Lawmakers push for better care, earlier help for children with disabilities

Tennessee lawmakers have approved a bill aimed at fixing a gap in the system that advocates say has left some of the state’s most vulnerable children, those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, at risk of being overlooked while in state custody.

House Bill 2188, sponsored by Mary Littleton, received final approval in the General Assembly this week and now heads to Bill Lee for his signature. If signed into law, the measure would require closer coordination between the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) and the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) — a move designed to ensure children with disabilities are identified earlier and connected with the services they need.