Compass Coordination Inc

Causes: Civil Rights, Community Mental Health Centers, Developmentally Disabled Centers, Disabilities, Disabled Persons Rights, Human Services, Mental Health

Mission: Compass Coordination, Inc. was founded in 1996 as the first organization of its kind in the state of Tennessee. Compass is a provider of a type of case management services called "independent support coordination services" provided to persons who have mental retardation or other developmental disabilities. The purposes of our services are to assist eligible persons and their families in identifying, planning, locating, securing and monitoring the kinds of supports and services they need and desire. The supports and services available in the state of Tennessee include a variety of home-based and community-based options all geared toward providing long-term support and assistance to persons with disabilities in lieu of institutional, custodial care options. There are a variety of private and public agencies and organizations which provide an array of community service options for eligible persons, such as in-home personal assistance, assisted or supported living arrangements, health-related services, residential living options, vocational and skills training programs, and other community-based service options. The Tennessee Division of Mental Retardation Services is the state agency responsible for funding and regulating the supports and services for which people with developmental disabilities are eligible. Compass' role is to act as a representative and as an advocate for the person and his/her family in the process of obtaining and maintaining the home and community-based, long-term support options they choose. We broker, plan and monitor the supports and services the person receives to ensure it meets the expectations of the person and his/her family or conservator. We are independent of the providers of services and independent of the state agency which funds the services. Hence, we are in a unique position to act soley in behalf of and in the best interests of the person receiving those services.