UCHRA Resolution Asking For Changes In Gov. Lee’s Justice Reform
UCHRA wants changes made to Governor Bill Lee’s Judicial Task Force Reform package. The agency’s Policy Council on Wednesday approved a resolution asking to rewrite portions of the legislation. Executive Director Mark Farley said if the package is passed as is, the agency’s Community Corrections Program would be dissolved. “We’re very concerned about that,” Farley […]
UCHRA Meeting Attendance Issues Hard To Address
The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency prepares to meet Wednesday, but answering low attendance numbers has been difficult. In a December state audit on UCHRA, excessive absentees were noted among the Policy Council and Executive Committee members. While the Comptroller’s Office suggested an attendance policy, Executive Director Mark Farley said that is hard for the […]
UCHRA Closes Youth Home In Cumberland County
UCHRA has been forced to close the Youth Impact Center at Crossville’s Cumberland Mountain School. UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said the home for troubled boys will be merged with the Indian Mound Farm home in Dekalb County. Farley said this decision was made from a cost savings perspective but there were also issues with […]
UCHRA Resolved Most Audit Findings Except For Board Attendance
UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said the organization’s audit findings have been resolved with the exception of committee attendance. A state Comptroller’s office audit of all the state’s human resources agencies released Tuesday found excessive absenteeism by UCHRA board members. The Executive Committee made up of regional mayors was one of those. “Obviously, sometimes that […]
UCHRA Gets 5 Year Extension From State
The General Assembly has awarded the Upper Cumberland Human Resources Agency a five year extension to continue operations. The agency was reviewed in Nashville Tuesday for its effectiveness to provide services. Executive Director Mark Farley said the organization is excited to continue serving the 14 counties of the Upper Cumberland. “The last extension we received […]
UCHRA Plans Bus Shelters to Protect Riders From Weather
As cold weather begins, UCHRA plans to use a $240,000 grant to set up shelter for people waiting on the UCHRA bus routes. UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said there are routes running in a circle to take those in need of transportation where they need to go. Farley said this started in Cookeville and […]
Lack of Housing For Those Recovering From Substance Issues
Cookeville’s population is growing but that growth brings people being affected by substance abuse. UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said there is a lack of housing for people trying to transition out of recovery programs and into the work force. Farley said the pandemic makes this issue worse as places like the rescue mission become […]
UCDD Receiving $400K Grant
The UCDD will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant. Executive Director Mark Farley said a portion of the funds will be used to provide technical assistance to communities across the Upper Cumberland. “A lot of our communities rely heavily on tourism, and we’re going to work on bringing some technical expertise about […]
UCDD And UCHRA Offices Temporarily Closed For Two Weeks
The UCDD and UCHRA are restricting customer access to all offices until at least August 17. At least five employees, mostly in the Fentress County office, have tested positive for COVID-19. Executive Director Mark Farley said both organizations are doing what they can to keep their employees safe. “We’ve wanted to sorta step back and […]
