General Provisions

(1) The Community Services Agency Act of 1996, as amended by Public Chapters No. 249 and No. 354, Acts of 2005 and Public Chapter 1011 of 2006, established a mechanism to facilitate the provision of services for citizens in need of services in Tennessee through centralized agencies located throughout the state. The Community Services Agency (CSA) may contract with any other agencies to provide assistance wherever needed. (2) This Act authorizes the Commissioner of the Department of Finance and Administration to establish metropolitan and multi-county regional CSAs. The Act also authorizes the Commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations, including those governing the approval of contracts for services, the conditions under which the CSAs must terminate contracts, and the items required in the CSA Plans of Operation. Additional responsibilities include: (a) reviewing and approving, with the concurrence of the Comptroller of the Treasury, Plans of Operation submitted by the CSAs; (b) entering into contracts, subject to applicable rules, regulations and procedures, to carry out the provisions of the Act; (c) appointing an Executive Director for each CSA, subject to approval by the Board; (d) requiring each CSA to submit annual reports of their activities on each preceding fiscal year; (e) performing other acts necessary or convenient to exercise the powers granted or reasonably implied by this part. (3) The mission of each CSA is to provide, to the maximum extent possible, coordination of funds or programs designated for care of the citizens in the state. The CSA may provide direct services with the approval of the Commissioner if it is determined that doing so would be the most effective way to provide services. (a) Each CSA must submit a Plan of Operation for each fiscal year as specified in the Act and in accordance with items listed in these Rules and Regulations. (b) As political subdivisions and instrumentalities of the state acting in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state in the performance of essential public functions, and whose employees are deemed “state employees” for purposes of T.C.A. §9-8-307, CSA employees are required to comply with established Finance and Administration policies, procedures, standards and legal advice in providing services to citizens pursuant to contracts with the State. COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY RULES AND REGULATIONS CHAPTER 0250-7-6