Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp today announced a second round of recipients to be awarded funding from the Innovative Response to Opioids Grants. Launched last fall, this grant program–funded by Opioid Abatement Settlement dollars received from the state of Tennessee–sought to support local nonprofits doing innovative work to fight the opioid epidemic and its destructive impact on Hamilton County families.
“The organizations we’ve chosen have the ability to respond to the opioid crisis beyond what government efforts can accomplish,” said Mayor Wamp. “Recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach won’t put an end to this epidemic, we have awarded funding to organizations serving all facets of the addiction cycle, from prevention to recovery.”
To date, Hamilton County has received approximately $5.4 million in Opioid Abatement Funding, and pending commission approval of this grant allocation, just over half-a-million dollars will have been distributed to local entities deploying grassroots strategies combating this epidemic.
“These organizations have presented the county with innovative ideas or proven strategies in tackling the opioid crisis,” said Commissioner Joe Graham, who serves on the selection committee. “This epidemic has plagued communities nationwide, and it will require creative leadership from both the public and private sector to have a genuine impact on local families.”
$264,430 Proposed to be Awarded to the Following Organizations:
? The McNabb Center: $75,000
The McNabb Center is committed to implementing a Second Chance Community-Based Adult
Reentry Program at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center–a collaborative effort between
Hamilton County and community partners–to create an evidence-based, trauma-informed reentry
program with an array of services. This funding will position The McNabb Center to apply for a
much-larger three-year federal grant further expanding their footprint in the jail and enhancing Mayor Wamp’s efforts to revitalize and bolster the reentry programming.
? Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Inc. (CADAS): $50,000
CADAS is expanding their already successful Family Way Program to provide ancillary services,
including a daycare. This program is a trauma-informed treatment program providing parenting classes to individuals trying to gain a foothold in recovery while parenting small children and teaching other life skills to individuals suffering from substance use disorder.
? Transform Ministries: $50,000
Transform Ministries, formerly known as Prison Prevention Ministries, will enhance Project STOP–a
prevention program focused on providing young people, with an emphasis in the north end of the
county, with life-saving information about opioids. The goal is to empower teenagers with the
knowledge to make informed decisions, helping them avoid substance abuse and confidently resist the temptation to engage in illegal drug activities.
? Men of Valor: $49,430
A successful ministry in Nashville and Knoxville looking to expand roots to Chattanooga, Men of Valor is committed to supporting men incarcerated at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center
through a six-week program enabling them to successfully reintegrate into society. After release, Men of Valor will provide wrap-around services assisting these men with housing, transportation, job readiness, and counseling for clients recovering from opioid use disorder.
? Erlanger Medical Center: $20,000
Erlanger is expanding their Recovery Navigator’s scope of practice to establish a more intensive
standard of care for mothers seeking guidance and assistance with recovery and postpartum phase of life through peer support and community resources.
? The Launch Pad: $20,000
The Launch Pad–a 12-step based sober living home for women recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction–is adding a career coach to champion their residents’ career aspirations and to create
attainable short and long-term career path goals.
The Hamilton County Commission will vote to approve this funding at their meeting on June 26.