UCHRA Needing Community Feedback For CSBG Survey
UCHRA is asking residents throughout the region to take part in a new community survey used to help apply for the Community Services Block Grant. UCHRA Community Services Assistant Director Jordan Herald said the federal grant would be used to provide programming and services to help combat poverty in all 14 counties in the Upper […]
UCHRA Testifies On Program Helping Local Poverty Families
UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said the agency has been very successful in helping local impoverished families through a one-time grant three years ago. Farley said the agency received an estimated $25 million grant in 2022 to fund a three-year initiative aimed at helping families move out of poverty. Farley said program navigators have worked […]
FilterFab Cookeville Is Newest Empower Certified Employer
Cookeville’s FilterFab the latest local business to become an Empower Certified Employer. Workforce Connections Business Services Coordinator Mallory Copeland said Empower Certified Employers are businesses that understand barriers to financial success, but commit to help people get a fair chance to achieve economic stability. “These employers support families living under that 225 percent of the […]
UCHRA Working On Two New Programs To Help Families
UCHRA developing two new programs to further increase the quality of life for families throughout the Upper Cumberland. Executive Director Mark Farley said UCHRA plans to partner with the Putnam County Schools, pending funding, to assist the families of pre schoolers attending the new Early Learning Center. Farley said he hopes to assist these families […]
UCHRA Policy Council Approves Community Action Plan
The UCHRA Policy Council approved a new Community Action Plan Wednesday designed to address the region’s needs from a more holistic, person-centered approach. Community Services Assistant Director Jordan Herald summarized the plan for the Council. Herald said the plan focused on helping people find long term self-sustainability. “Historically, CSBG funds have helped us respond to […]
UCDD, RIDER Announce Partnership In Addressing Poverty
A new partnership between UCDD and a national organization will further help address poverty across the Upper Cumberland. Rural Innovation Driving Equitable Resilience (RIDER) is a national organization awaiting its non-profit status. UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said the partnership gives UCDD a chance to learn how other agencies are addressing poverty nationwide. “It may […]
Empower UC Now Enrolling DeKalb Families
Empower UC is now enrolling DeKalb County families. Empower UC Director Megan Spurgeon said the program is not a handout, but provides resources to lift people from poverty. Spurgeon said Empower UC can enroll up to ten more Dekalb County families. “We know that there is a need in DeKalb County,” Spurgeon said. “And we’re […]
Community Cares Coalition Organized To Tackle Local Problems
Four local organizations have come together to form the Cookeville Community Cares Coalition to work on issues like poverty and homelessness. Hip Cookeville CEO Blair Dudley said the coalition has the ability to work directly with people in need. He said the street-level work they do can resolve issues that might take a government entity […]
UCHRA Holds First Meeting Towards Grant Proposal Battling Poverty
A leadership group ready to change social services. That is what UCHRA/UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said was his main takeaway from last week’s kickoff meeting revisiting social services. The meeting was the first over a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Opportunity Act Planning Grant the agency received. “There is a frustration that we all […]
UCHRA Restructured Policy Council Discuss Needs Across Region
Homelessness, mental health and child care among the most important issues to be tackled by the UCHRA Policy Council. The newly structured group held its first meeting Wednesday. Regional elected officials originally formed the board. Now, 19 members that represent fields like utilities to law enforcement make up the council. Chairman Randy Heady said he […]
