DIGNITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
Tennessee Justice Center believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are intrinsically valuable and necessary to manifest our mission of justice for all. We recognize that racism is foundational to the social and economic disparities that plague our nation. We work to achieve opportunity, security and dignity for all Tennesseans. We are committed to expanding and continuing our advocacy, education, and litigation work as a means towards greater equity.
DIGNITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
Tennessee Justice Center believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are intrinsically valuable and necessary to manifest our mission of justice for all. We recognize that racism is foundational to the social and economic disparities that plague our nation. We work to achieve opportunity, security and dignity for all Tennesseans. We are committed to expanding and continuing our advocacy, education, and litigation work as a means towards greater equity.
WE BELIEVE
Everyone has dignity and that our laws and public policy should reflect this shared value. Those with disability or illness should have access to care and services they need to live a full life. Those facing hard times or unimaginable obstacles should be able to access necessary support to rebuild their lives.
OUR MISSION
To focus relentlessly on protecting and improving the laws, policies, and programs that secure dignity and opportunity for all Tennesseans.
27 years of tjc
WHAT WE DO
We help Tennesseans one-by-one and then take what we learn from their stories to advocate for large-scale changes that help others in the same boat. In addition to helping individuals, we use the law and advocacy to ensure that Tennesseans can meet their most basic needs and have a pathway to opportunity. If you need representation or help with TennCare and other health and nutrition safety net programs, we can help. Click here.
Specific focus of our work includes:
HELPING KIDS GROW UP HEALTHY
Healthcare is crucial to give children a healthy start in life and a chance to reach their full potential. We work to protect and promote programs that are vital to children’s health by educating the community and mobilizing support for policies and practices that ensure that all of Tennessee’s children can thrive.
ENSURING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE
TJC works to ensure that affordable health coverage is accessible to all Tennesseans by promoting policy solutions that would eliminate the barriers that prevent people from getting coverage. We also advocate against policies that would hurt Tennesseans’ health coverage or diminish their care. TJC has played an instrumental role in protecting theAffordable Care Actover the years, and our staff continues to work daily to convince state lawmakers toexpand Medicaidin TN.
INCREASING INDEPENDENCE
With the right supports, seniors and people with disabilities can live life on their own terms. That’s why we have worked for 22 years to make the possibility of independence real.
EXPANDING FOOD SECURITY
All Tennesseans should have access to nutritious food. Every Tennessean should have the food they need to lead a healthy, productive life. We work to keep nutrition programs, like SNAP and school meals, strong.
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OUR IMPACT: 25 YEARS OF TJC
HOW WE DO IT
We focus relentlessly on protecting and improving the laws, policies, and programs which provide dignity and opportunity, including access to health care and food. We help individuals struggling to access these services, and we train health care providers, social service providers, and community leaders to ensure that those in their communities can get what they need.
Black Health Matters
For far too long, Black people have been subjected to systemic racism baked into American systems, and healthcare is no exception.
Black people have been faced with disparities in health care and health outcomes for decades. Eliminating racially-motivated barriers to health care must be a top priority for our state moving forward. Take action today by signing the pledge below, and visit the Black Health Matters page by clicking “Learn More.”
Thousands of Tennessee children have lost health insurance. Many parents don’t know.
Please call 1-877-608-1009 if your child has lost their coverage. Almost every child is eligible for free or low-cost health insurance through TennCare or CoverKids.
TJC has filed a class action lawsuit to reinstate Tennesseans wrongfully terminated from TennCare. Now more than ever, it is urgent that all eligible Tennesseans have access to the healthcare they need to help them through this public health crisis.
WHAT WE DO
We help Tennesseans one-by-one and then take what we learn from their stories to advocate for large-scale changes that help others in the same boat. In addition to helping individuals, we use the law and advocacy to ensure that Tennesseans can meet their most basic needs and have a pathway to opportunity. Specific focus of our work includes:
HELPING KIDS GROW UP HEALTHY
Healthcare is crucial to give children a healthy start in life and a chance to reach their full potential. We work to protect and promote programs that are vital to children’s health by educating the community and mobilizing support for policies and practices that ensure that all of Tennessee’s children can thrive.
ENSURING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE
TJC works to ensure all Tennesseans have access to affordable health coverage. We do this through working to promote policy solutions that would tear down the barriers that people face in obtaining health care. We also advocate against policies that would hurt Tennesseans’ health coverage or diminish their care.
INCREASING INDEPENDENCE
With the right supports, seniors and people with disabilities can live life on their own terms. That’s why we have worked for 22 years to make the possibility of independence real.
EXPANDING FOOD SECURITY
All Tennesseans should have access to nutritious food. Every Tennessean should have the food they need to lead a healthy, productive life. We work to keep nutrition programs, like SNAP and school meals, strong.
OUR PARTNERS
Our clients, their families, doctors, and caregivers are some of our most committed partners in working for justice. Their stories of difficulty accessing health care and nutrition for themselves or their loved ones show the need for change and help policymakers and the general public understand the impact of inadequate health care and nutrition policy on real people, including our loved ones, friends, and neighbors.
Our work is supported by and made better by the work of many other individuals and groups throughout the state and the country. Partners include
- Heath care providers, social service agencies, and other nonprofits who work hard every day to serve Tennesseans
- Individuals who share their time, expertise, and financial support
- Law firms and members of the private bar who provide pro-bono assistance and financial support
- State and national policy groups on whom we rely for research and policy analysis
- State-based and national foundations who support our work. Major funders and partners include:
INDIVIDUAL CASES
We help Tennesseans master the maze of health and nutrition resources available in our state. Our caseworkers help individuals navigate complicated systems to get the health care and food they need. We are red tape warriors, experts at cutting through the maze of bureaucracy to get access to necessary assistance.
TRAINING PRESENTATIONS
We train health care providers, social workers, and local community groups to better understand the complex healthcare system and the laws that govern it. We also work directly with TennCare and other public programs to make sure that services are available and work as they are supposed to.
SYSTEM CHANGE
When systemic issues affect lots of people, we find a way to address the laws, practices, and policies that create those issues. We address these issues in the courts, work with partners to educate and inform lawmakers, and equip Tennesseans with the tools they need to make their voices heard.