New Grant Program In The Works To Establish More UC Transitional Housing
The State Department of Economic Community Development is developing a new transitional housing grant program for substance abuse. UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said counties will be able to apply for grants up to $400,000 to build or acquire facilities. “In the Upper Cumberland region, we got a lot of individuals that are coming out […]
UCDD Renovating Old Office To Lease To Mental Health Group
The UCDD Executive Committee has approved a loan up to $250,000 to renovate the old UCDD office on South Willow Avenue. Executive Director Mark Farley said a mental health group has interest in renting a portion of the facility. “We’ve been renting it currently,” Farley said. “We’ve got a couple of renters in that facility […]
Committee Named To Review UCDD/UCHRA Executive And Finance Directors
UCDD/UCHRA Executive Committees will conduct performance evaluations of Executive Director Mark Farley and Finance Director Ginger Stout in the next thirty days. Chair Randy Heady leading a three-person committee including Smith County Mayor Jeff Mason and Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster. Heady said the reviews are conducted annually. “Our job is to evaluate them, evaluate […]
UCHRA Exploring Sites To Possibly Relocate And Build New Office
The Cookeville UCHRA Office at Jefferson Avenue could be relocated in the next few years. The UCHRA Executive Committee approved Executive Director Mark Farley to explore properties suitable for a new building Wednesday. Farley said he wanted to start the process since the current building lease ends in five years. “You got to start planning […]
DeKalb Group Home Property To Be Considered For Public Auction
The UCHRA/UCDD Executive Committee will consider auctioning some 110 acres that once housed a DeKalb County group home. The Indian Mounds Residential Center for Boys closed last year due to COVID. Executive Director Mark Farley said reusing the property for services was not an option due to the remoteness. “Its in a very remote area […]
UCHRA Strengthening Grant Application To Help Poverty In Families
UCHRA’s Policy Council got its first glance at a region wide grant proposal Wednesday that could change how Upper Cumberland services are administered. UCHRA applying to $25 million over three years through a state grant program focusing on poverty stricken families. Executive Director Mark Farley said family, workforce and education make up the three aspects […]
UCDD/UCHRA Earns Planning Grant To Remodel Social Services In Region
UCDD-UCHRA has been named one of 17 recipients of the Tennessee Opportunity Pilot Initiative planning grant. Executive Director Mark Farley said the $450,000 grant could be the first step to becoming one of the six large award winners. “What it’s going to do is allow us to have the man power for the next three […]
UCHRA Policy Council Identifies Need For ACEs Training
The UCHRA Policy Council sees a need for more training on how to better handle adverse childhood experiences. Council members and program staff spent over an hour Wednesday discussing underlying issues and traumas families face. Executive Director Mark Farley said the goal is to do a better job keeping children out of group homes. “If […]
UCDD Executive Committee Okays Director To Pursue Cumberland Housing Project
The UCDD Executive Board has given Executive Director Mark Farley the go ahead to seek more information on a USDA housing project in Cumberland County. Farley said USDA has approached the district with a site development program that could bring up to 160 affordable homes. “What they have asked us to consider doing is develop […]
White Co Library Short Staffed, Changes Hours To Accommodate
The White County Library has adjusted its hours after UCHRA pulled three workers from the front desk. Executive Director Mark Farley said the temporary measure was made due to rising COVID numbers in White County over the last week. “Those employees are operating under a senior employment training program that we administer, and our national […]
