Frequently Asked Questions

Is TNCSA a State agency or a private, not-for-profit organization? TNCSA is neither a State agency nor a private, not-for-profit organization. TNCSA is considered to be a “political subdivision and instrumentality of the State” as defined in Tennessee Code Annotated 37-5-304. Per legislative statute, TNCSA is deemed to be acting in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state in the performance of essential functions and serves a public purpose through improving and otherwise promoting the well-being of the citizens of the state. TNCSA is linked administratively to the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration. The Commissioner of Finance and Administration has authority to appoint the Executive Director of the TNCSA, with the concurrence of the Board of Directors.

How is TNCSA funded? TNCSA does not receive a direct allocation of funding from the State budget to support our operations. We contract with various departments of the State of Tennessee and with other agencies and organizations to carry out the various programs and services across the state. Each contract specifies the type of services and eligibility criteria for clients that we can serve, so not all services are available in all regions or to all persons that might want or need the service.

Can I make a tax deductible contribution to TNCSA? Because we are a public agency, acting in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state, contributions to the TNCSA are considered tax deductible as long as they meet the usual standards for charitable contributions as defined by IRS.
Where are your headquarters? The headquarters office is located at 1604 West Reelfoot Avenue, Union City, TN. 38281. The contact telephone number is (731) 884-2630.

Do you have any statewide programs? Yes, TNCSA administers programs like the Division of Intellectual Disability Services Independent Support Coordination program in most areas of the state. TNCSA also provides a variety of county or region-specific programs based on local needs. You can click on the state map for information about your specific area and services provided.

Can various departments of the State contract with TNCSA without having to issue an RFP or bid request? Because TNCSA is considered a public agency, departments of State government can negotiate contracts for services with TNCSA without having to go through a lengthy bid or Request for Proposal process.

Can Tennessee’s state agencies/departments contract with TNCSA for only certain regions or counties or do contracts have to be statewide? TNCSA can provide services statewide or only in designated areas, depending on the needs of the department or agency.

Are TNCSA employees considered to be “State” employees? No, TNCSA employees are not State employees; although, they do enjoy similar benefits as those available to State employees. TNCSA employees can participate in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS), earn annual and sick leave benefits similar to those provided by the State, and participate in the State Health Insurance program. Other benefits such as dental insurance, life and disability insurance are also available as defined by the TNCSA Personnel Policies.

Where are you located and how many employees does TNCSA have? The agency has eight locations across the state in Memphis, Union City, Jackson, Nashville, Cookeville, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Johnson City and employs approximately 216 people (full time and part-time).

How can I apply for a job with TNCSA? TNCSA will post available job vacancies on the TNCSA website, and in some instances, in local newspapers. The agency values diversity in our workplace. Please visit our website often to learn of potential employment opportunities which might be available to you.

Does TNCSA have a Board of Directors? If so, how can I get on your Board? The TNCSA is governed by a 96-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor. Each county of the state has one representative on the TNCSA Board. Persons interested in serving on the TNCSA Board should contact the Executive Director at the Headquarters Office, 1604 West Reelfoot Avenue, Union City, TN. 38281 (731) 884-2630 or through e-mail at info@tncsa.com for information about the appointment process and the contact person in the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions.

How is the TNCSA office in Shelby County different from the Shelby County Community Services Agency (CSA)? The two agencies are very different in terms of governance structure and meet very different needs within the Shelby County service area. TNCSA is a statewide agency and many of the services provided in the Memphis location are part of statewide programs. TNCSA is administratively linked with the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration and is considered an instrumentality of the State. The Shelby County CSA is part of Shelby County government. The Memphis office of the TNCSA has one representative on the statewide TNCSA Board of Directors that is appointed by the Governor. The Shelby County CSA administers a variety of federally funded programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Weatherization Assistance Program, and USDA commodities program. The Memphis office of the TNCSA, through contracts with the State of Tennessee and private agencies, provides case management and employment solutions services for Families First recipients.
TNCSA has a broad mission to “serve citizens in need”. Our goal is to identify gaps in services within communities across the state and assist communities in meeting those needs.



Frequently Asked Questions Is TNCSA a State agency or a private, not-for-profit organization? TNCSA is neither a State agency nor a private, not-for-profit organization. TNCSA is considered to be a “political subdivision and instrumentality of the State” as defined in Tennessee Code Annotated 37-5-304. Per legislative statute, TNCSA is deemed to be acting in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state in the performance of essential functions and serves a public purpose through improving and otherwise promoting the well-being of the citizens of the state. TNCSA is linked administratively to the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration. The Commissioner of Finance and Administration has authority to appoint the Executive Director of the TNCSA, with the concurrence of the Board of Directors. How is TNCSA funded? TNCSA does not receive a direct allocation of funding from the State budget to support our operations. We contract with various departments of the State of Tennessee and with other agencies and organizations to carry out the various programs and services across the state. Each contract specifies the type of services and eligibility criteria for clients that we can serve, so not all services are available in all regions or to all persons that might want or need the service. Can I make a tax deductible contribution to TNCSA? Because we are a public agency, acting in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state, contributions to the TNCSA are considered tax deductible as long as they meet the usual standards for charitable contributions as defined by IRS. Where are your headquarters? The headquarters office is located at 1604 West Reelfoot Avenue, Union City, TN. 38281. The contact telephone number is (731) 884-2630. Do you have any statewide programs? Yes, TNCSA administers programs like the Division of Intellectual Disability Services Independent Support Coordination program in most areas of the state. TNCSA also provides a variety of county or region-specific programs based on local needs. You can click on the state map for information about your specific area and services provided. Can various departments of the State contract with TNCSA without having to issue an RFP or bid request? Because TNCSA is considered a public agency, departments of State government can negotiate contracts for services with TNCSA without having to go through a lengthy bid or Request for Proposal process. Can Tennessee’s state agencies/departments contract with TNCSA for only certain regions or counties or do contracts have to be statewide? TNCSA can provide services statewide or only in designated areas, depending on the needs of the department or agency. Are TNCSA employees considered to be “State” employees? No, TNCSA employees are not State employees; although, they do enjoy similar benefits as those available to State employees. TNCSA employees can participate in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS), earn annual and sick leave benefits similar to those provided by the State, and participate in the State Health Insurance program. Other benefits such as dental insurance, life and disability insurance are also available as defined by the TNCSA Personnel Policies. Where are you located and how many employees does TNCSA have? The agency has eight locations across the state in Memphis, Union City, Jackson, Nashville, Cookeville, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Johnson City and employs approximately 216 people (full time and part-time). How can I apply for a job with TNCSA? TNCSA will post available job vacancies on the TNCSA website, and in some instances, in local newspapers. The agency values diversity in our workplace. Please visit our website often to learn of potential employment opportunities which might be available to you. Does TNCSA have a Board of Directors? If so, how can I get on your Board? The TNCSA is governed by a 96-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor. Each county of the state has one representative on the TNCSA Board. Persons interested in serving on the TNCSA Board should contact the Executive Director at the Headquarters Office, 1604 West Reelfoot Avenue, Union City, TN. 38281 (731) 884-2630 or through e-mail at info@tncsa.com for information about the appointment process and the contact person in the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions. How is the TNCSA office in Shelby County different from the Shelby County Community Services Agency (CSA)? The two agencies are very different in terms of governance structure and meet very different needs within the Shelby County service area. TNCSA is a statewide agency and many of the services provided in the Memphis location are part of statewide programs. TNCSA is administratively linked with the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration and is considered an instrumentality of the State. The Shelby County CSA is part of Shelby County government. The Memphis office of the TNCSA has one representative on the statewide TNCSA Board of Directors that is appointed by the Governor. The Shelby County CSA administers a variety of federally funded programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Weatherization Assistance Program, and USDA commodities program. The Memphis office of the TNCSA, through contracts with the State of Tennessee and private agencies, provides case management and employment solutions services for Families First recipients. TNCSA has a broad mission to “serve citizens in need”. Our goal is to identify gaps in services within communities across the state and assist communities in meeting those needs.