Mergers, Collective Impact, Integrations, Oh my!

Wednesday, August 13, 2025
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM

In this session, we will discuss how PCA Tennessee successfully merged with TN Voices, a statewide mental health organization, enhancing our ability to support early childhood development and elevate the voices of those with lived experiences. In 2020, PCA Tennessee rebranded as Nurture the Next to emphasize our prevention work. In 2023, we decided to merge with TN Voices to expand our services and reach families from prenatal through adulthood. This partnership strengthens our ability to address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), toxic stress, and parental mental health—critical factors in child development. Merging with a mental health organization allows us to offer a more comprehensive approach to early childhood care, integrating mental health support for both children and parents. This is key to achieving long-term positive outcomes for families. Since the merger, we’ve expanded services by cross-referring families to mental health support and offering quality early childhood education consultations to educators and parents. In this workshop, we will explore the challenges and successes of our merger, focusing on lessons learned from non-traditional partnerships. Key topics will include board integration, funding merger costs, building successful roadmaps, communication strategies, branding, culture building, and supporting staff and families statewide. Whether you are considering a merger or looking for innovative ways to grow, this workshop offers valuable insights into expanding services and achieving your organization’s goals.