WHY I VOLUNTEERED!

Nursing homes and other long term care facilities often get a bad name.   So why would a person volunteer to visit nursing homes unless they had a relative there?

In a recent training for the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, volunteers were asked "Why did you volunteer?"  Here are some of their answers....

• There are a lot of residents in nursing homes that do not have family members or friends that visit or check in on them.  I started out as a volunteer, helping with bingo and one on one visits with lonely residents.  I saw the need for them to have someone as an advocate for them.  It's nice to know you have helped someone who otherwise would not receive any help in certain situations.

• We moved from Florida and were involved with many volunteer organizations.  My wife's Mother was in a nursing home for 10 years.  This is our chance to give back to others for the wonderful care she got.

• I had worked at a nursing home in St. Louis and knew how appreciative the residents are to have someone who cares how their lives are going.  There are tender moments like an Alzheimer's patient who had held my hand and walked with me and eventually began to talk to me (which was a rare occasions for her).  It is a very rewarding endeavor.

• After a career in health care, my volunteer interests were people oriented.  Ombudsman opportunities seemed a good "fit."  I like advocating for vulnerable individuals and their families, particularly those in the health care situations.

• I volunteer because I observed things happening to residents in a nursing home where my mother was living.  I thank God I soon realized I could make a difference!  From that experience 13 years ago, I've continued to learn, grow and enjoy the smiles my work blesses me with and I thank God!

• As a retired RN, I had a great desire to help someone and the Ombudsman program filled this need.

• I am so glad to let residents know we as the Ombudsman representatives are here and speak for them on any problem they might have.

• There was a new facility in our neighborhood.  I watched as many of my parents friends were aging and then my parent became a resident.  I lived just a three minute walk away and was attentive to my parent daily, spending many hours there.  Fourteen years later I continue to be committed and have recommended two other volunteers who have become certified.

• I started volunteering after AARP contacted me with a list of needs in my community.  Ombudsman was on the list.

• I volunteered to satisfy my desire to helping aging people both  socially and health-wise.  I am making up for my continued capability while others my age have become unable to help themselves.

Volunteers in East Tennessee Human Resource Agency's Ombudsman Program complete a certification that provides the structure and background so they can skillfully help residents and facilities. 

If you are looking for an ongoing volunteer experience that will keep you active with people and involved in problem solving, the Ombudsman assignment could be right for you.

Cindy Troyer, ETHRA's Ombudsman, is available to provide information on how you can help.  Contact her at 865-691-2551 ext. 4223 or through email at ctroyer@ethra.org.

West Tennessee Workforce Investment Board Lauds Local Progress

More than 1,400 youth from West Tennessee were able to find summer jobs at 350 different employers. Of those participants ages 14-24, 30 were able to secure full-time employment as part of a job stimulus program, according to a report from a local agency. The program was part of a joint effort between the West Tennessee Workforce Investment Board, Southwest Human Resource Agency and the state government.

On Thursday, the annual meeting between the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and West Tennessee Workforce Investment Board was held at the Holiday Inn.

Linda Sampson, with the state labor department, said this program was funded by stimulus money and was a success."When you hear about the stimulus bill, you don't hear people talk about things like this program," she said. "About $25 million was spent on this, and that had a trickle-down effect on our economy in Tennessee."

Twelve counties make up this organization's Local Workforce Investment Area. In addition to summary reports, awards were given to youth and adults who were participants in the Workforce Investment Board's SummerWorks Program. Richard Davis of Blue Goose received an award as an adult member of the program. After working for more than 20 years in the tool and die industry, Davis was laid off last year."There wasn't anything out there for me to be placed in," he said. He went to the investment board's regional office and asked for help. The organization paid for his classes at Tennessee Technology Center."Now I'm training in drafting and CAD skills so I can better myself so employers will be willing to hire me," he said. "If it hadn't been for the Workforce Investment Board, I wouldn't be able to take these courses. I couldn't train myself."

Davis was one of 1,196 people who were a part of this year's adult worker program, said Blake Carroll. He is a spokesman for the West Tennessee Workforce Investment Board. The 24 awards given to participants Thursday were for people who have been able to find work as a result of the program."They successfully went through the program and performed wonderfully," he said. "They are all successfully employed."

 Stories Told By Foster Grandparents from Marshall County, TN

SOUTH CENTRAL HUMAN RESOURCE AGENCY IS RECEIPIANT OF THE 2012 GORDON ACUFF AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Recognizing and honoring a Human Resource Agency and staff whose work has captured the spirit of a true pioneer in the delivery of social services

This award is named for a man who stepped out of rural East Tennessee and blazed the way to developing programs that provide opportunities for people to improve their lives.  He worked with members of the Tennessee General Assembly to write the Human Resource Agency Act of 1973.  This was the first act to provide state agencies with a system to touch families from one end of the state to the other.  Gordon Acuff’s vision in 1973 lives on today with every van that links citizens to their community…every senior who gets a tap on their door and a home delivered meal…every helping hand that reaches out to families through an HRA.  The vision became a reality because Tennesseans cared.

On Thursday night, September 6, in Pigeon Forge the 2012 Award of Excellence was presented to South Central Human Resource Agency with its central office located on Winchester Hwy. in Fayetteville.  The presentation took place at the close of the banquet ending the annual training conference of the HRA’s from across the state.  An independent panel of judges selected the winner from five nominees competing for the award.

South Central entered its Catering Program which was an innovative idea of the Nutrition Program Director, Fiscal Officer, and Assistant Fiscal Officer.  The Nutrition Program has faced numerous challenges over the years due to the decrease in funding and the increase in service needs.  Consequences included closing the meal sites one day a week, inability to repair or replace broken kitchen equipment, broken down food vans, cutting payroll hours and placing caps on the congregate meals served.

The Catering Program started in 2006 with one or two functions a month.  Now there is an average of 14-20 events each month, generating enough revenue to purchase equipment as needed and sustain the Nutrition Program at a five day work week.  The revenues generated also pay for the cost of the food, utility, maintenance and labor of each job.  The remaining revenues goes back into the overall Nutrition Program.  SCHRA has been able to replace ovens that were beyond repair, expand the work week and ultimately increase the number of hot meals served to seniors.  Instead of a cut in services, SCHRA has been able to increase congregate meals by more than 10,000 in a year.

This innovative approach has also provided increased positive publicity and raised awareness of senior needs.  Seniors going hungry was not an option, cutting meals was not an option, cutting jobs was not an option, doing what they already did quite well was the option.  Now SCHRA is not only known for quality senior meals but is looked to for high end catering in 13 counties.  Prime rib, grilled shrimp, chicken cordon bleu, and bistro cakes are not generally served as a typical senior meal but serving it is indeed putting food on the senior’s plates.

The Nutrition Program is directed by Donna Brazier. The Catering Program is headed by Becky Christa and staffed by Becky Patterson, Linda Walden, Elsie Hale, and Yancy Gautney.  In the photo, along with these six individuals are James Coy Anderson, Executive Director and Jim Reynolds, Fiscal Officer.  Everyone applauds South Central for this innovative program and the staff that is responsible for its success.  The public is invited to visit the central office located at 1437 Winchester Hwy to tour the facility and see the different programs in action.

April 4, 2012

To:  Pamela Morris

        Director of SCSEP/TITLE V

 Prior to being introduced to the Title V Program, my husband and I were on the verge of bankruptcy. We are both on Social Security Disability and our health had deteriorated to the point that we were drowning in medical bills.  He was going blind, and as a result, we had to borrow a large sum of money for him to have eye surgery to restore his sight.  A friend suggested we go to South Central Human Resource Agency to seek help.  I had never heard of this organization and was not aware of any programs to help people.  For many, many months I had tried to find part-time employment to help with all the bills, but at every turn was discriminated against because of my age (I was 58 at the time) or the fact that I was on disability and could not work a full-time job.  By God’s divine hand, we were introduced to Pamela Morris in the SCSEP/TITLE V office.  After explaining our situation, I was hired on the spot as an office assistant.

My self-esteem, confidence, usefulness, and cognitive abilities had all suffered or were non-existent as a result of many years of stagnation.  My life was in a rut, and I did not see any way out of it.  Prior to going on disability, I had been a very active person and had worked very hard at my jobs…all of which were office/managerial/administrative related.  I had also been a counselor and teacher in the faith based area.   At this point, I felt as if I were an 80 year old person, mentally and physically.

Once I began working in the program, I regained my self-confidence and self-esteem and noticed my ability to think and reason had returned.  The mental clarity and sharpness that, in the past, had been one of my strengths was, once again, one of my strong areas.  I felt useful again!  I am now using all the God-given talents and abilities I had gained throughout my life as a result of job experiences and higher education for good in helping other mature workers.  I feel as if I have a goal for my life now.  Because of the extra money, we are able to keep our bills current. Oh, and I feel 20 years younger!! 

Thank you, Pamela, and Title V for giving us back our life!!

April 4, 2012

Mr. Arthur Seger

Giles County Rabies Control Unit

 Ms. Morris:

My name is Arthur Seger.  On May 3^rd of this year, I will be 70 years of age.

I live and work in Giles County, TN.

In 2007, while working as an OTR driver for a local freight company, I suffered a series of strokes that left me with considerable left side weakness and a perceptible speech impediment.  These symptoms became an anathema for me 18 months later when I attempted to re-enter the work force.  No longer able to medically qualify to drive commercially, and living in an agricultural county with little industry where there is fierce competition for any available job, employers just were not interested in hiring a 65 year old man with an awkward gait and a hesitatingly speech pattern.

Without the opportunity to participate in the SCSEP/TITLE V Program, I’d probably still be looking for work.  As it was, SCSEP was able to place me at a county agency where all I had to do was answer the phone.  Over the following almost 2 years, as my health improved, I was able to assume more responsibility and to showcase my considerable working skills.  As a consequence, the county (through the help of county mayor, Janet Vanzant) recently hired me to be a permanent part-time employee.

The important thing for me here is not necessarily that I have a job now, which is definitely very important, but that I was given the opportunity to get back to doing something I love, which is working; and that I am in a county position which enables me to network with many other organizations that were not available to me prior to this position.

Thanks to the folk at SCSEP.  I owe a debt of gratitude to all the people for giving me back my life.

April 3, 2012

Ms. Betty Chatman, a left arm amputee, works at the Coffee County Senior Center in Tullahoma, TN.  Prior to her assignment with the SCSEP/Title V program, she was withdrawn, unsure of herself, no self-esteem, and was a recluse.  She did not feel she could go out and be accepted; therefore, she stayed at home all the time.  Ms. Chatman was afraid to go out and try new things as she felt she would be treated differently by the world and was unsure of what she could do.  She would not go into the Job Force for fear of discrimination.

Since her placement as a Nutrition Aide at the Senior Center, Ms. Betty’s self-esteem has skyrocketed.  She has opened herself up to people and is not afraid to go out and try new things.  She stated she does things differently than other people but she gets them done.

Ms. Chatman said her co-workers are wonderful people, and the Senior Center is a wonderful place to work.  The people are great to her, don’t treat her any differently, and help her when needed.  A few of her duties are to serve meals and pack cold packs.  The line is set up from left to right which has been a blessing to her as she can move easily through the kitchen putting the meals together and packing them.

At the center, she was able to take a painting class for over a year.  She stated she had always wanted to learn to paint, but with her disability, did not think it would be possible.

Because of this program, Ms. Betty’s life has changed for the better.  She lives alone and is very independent.  Not to mention, the program has made it possible for her to pay her bills and not have that stress on her.

 <>

Pictured from left to right: Braiden Butler, Nikia Stewart, Ty Lewter, Andrew

Howell, James Tunstill, Robert Whitted (SCHRA Employee), Madison Butler,

Clay Marsh and Kyle East.

The students are a mixture of the Chamber of Commerce Student Advisory Board and Youth Leadership Lincoln under the oversight of Doris Jennings, an Advisory Council member of both organizations.   Both organizations perform community service as a part of their membership.

Students were volunteering their time to bag commodities for the South Central Human Resource Agency Commodity Program.   They formed an assembly line and bagged 250 bags of food in an hour.   Mr. Whitted of SCHRA said he really appreciated the help. The SCHRA Commodity Program contracts with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to distribute donated food items to households living in the 13 county area served by SCHRA.   Eligible households are defined as those households following at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or proof of assistance such as food stamps, SSI, etc.   If you are interested in the Commodity Program or want more information on any of SCHRA programs, call 433-7182. For more information on the Chamber of Commerce Student Advisory Board or Youth Leadership Lincoln, call Doris Jennings at 433-1234.

Program Helps Seniors Get Back to Work

By Sue Guinn Legg
Johnson City Press

The First Tennessee Human Resource Agency's new Senior Community Service Employment Program has helped more than 80 of the area's older workers re-enter the work force at service agencies around the region.

The jobs provide needed income and allow participants to gain needed job skills, beef up their resumes and lend some much-needed assistance to the agencies.

Now with federal stimulus funds available to provide the same assistance to 33 others, the program is once again recruiting low-income wage earners age 55 and older who could use the help.

The program helps seniors, many of them who have been hit hard by the local factory closings and other pitfalls of the current economy, enter or re-enter the work force by giving them on-the-job training, resume writing and interview skills, SCSEP Program Director Holly Hudson explained.

Working 20 hours a week at the new $7.50 an hour minimum wage, participants gain income and earn experience while continuing their search for employment in the private sector.

"It's a win-win opportunity for the participants and their communities," Hudson said, with participants helping service organizations in seven area counties extend their reach and capabilities while honing their own employment skills and gaining self-confidence and a restored sense of self-worth.

Launched more than 40 years ago as part of the Johnson administration's "War on Poverty," SCSEP became a national initiative in 1973 with adoption of the Older Americans Act. Funded and administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, Hudson said the program had been had been working successfully in Northeast Tennessee for some time when the Labor Department asked the FTHRA to take over its administration here in late July.

With the new assignment, Hudson said, came the federal stimulus dollars that are now allowing the program to expand. She noted a similar Labor Department block grant from the total $19.5 million in federal recovery funding approved for Tennessee seniors and families has also been allocated to help similar program operated by the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency put even more older workers back to work.

A lot of the participants, Hudson said, are people who never worked and in their older years have suddenly found themselves in need. They're grandparents who are going back to work to raise their grandchildren, seniors without enough income to pay for their medications and, in increasing numbers, people who have spent their entire lives at work in area factories that have simply closed their doors and went away.

"What we're seeing no are a lot of people who worked in factories 30 or 40 years. They never had to prepare a resume. They have no job search skills and they don't know how to package their job skills in a way that will appeal to an employer. The job market is a totally different world than it was 10 years ago, much less 30 or 40 years. And it's a terrible challenge for them," Hudson said.

But with employment through the SCSEP and the job and job-search training that comes with it, she said, "In a manner of weeks they regain that confidence."

She described seeing that transformation as "one of the most gratifying rewards I've had in all many years of social work."

For Mary "Lucy" Madeoy, a 57-year-old typist and keyboard operator who spent more than 30 years at work in government offices in three states, it was a disability that left her with less income than she needed to meet her living expenses, to enjoy the things she has always enjoyed and to put away a little money for her future.

Now back at work as a job search and resume-building assistant at the Northeast Tennessee Career Center on Wesley Street, she feels quite blessed.

"These are raining positions and it's wonderful to get the job training they give you. It sets you up for a lot of different jobs," Madeoy said. "I can't work full time but it's wonderful to have something to supplement my disability and to help me get through. It really helps a lot."

"It doesn't last forever and you have to look for work outside the program but I consider myself blessed to be a part of it."

To qualify for the program, Hudson said, interested workers must be at least 55 with an income that falls within the specified low-income level. She encouraged anyone in need of employment who meets those criteria to contact her for more information at 461-7844.

“Thank you all for giving good, safe, & reliable services.”

– Barbara M. of Springfield, TN

“You all are wonderful, just can’t do without you! All of your drivers are so good to me.”

– Elizabeth H. of Williamson County

“I am writing to express my appreciation to you and your staff. In a hospital setting I often deal with patients/families with unique needs that are not easily met by typical agency resources and I am so grateful to call your office and find that you have a driver available to help that family.”

– Martha B. of Waverly, TN

“I greatly appreciate the services that Mid-Cumberland provides for me and my family.”

– Nancy W. of Dickson, TN

“Mid-Cumberland is truly a wonderful company with great service.”

– Dorothy R. of Rutherford County

“I just wanted to say thanks for the Mid-Cumberland van. It is so useful for us elderly and the handicapped. I ride it quite often to the bank, grocery store, doctor, and any where else I need to go.”

– Ruth G. of Gallatin, TN

“What does Mid-Cumberland Transportation Service mean to me? I am 91 years old and have no husband or children. It is my only means of visiting the doctor and grocery shopping. I am very grateful to Mid-Cumberland.”

– Vivian S. of Dover, Tenn.

“Everyone I’ve had contact with at the Mid-Cumberland Transit Agency has always gone beyond my expectations.”

– Mary Ann of Springfield, Tenn.

“Transportation for people with disabilities is not easy. You will never know how that trip to Springfield helped me find happiness for that one day.”

– Cindy D. of Nashville, Tenn.

“Your drivers are very professional, show their kindness and are very helpful.”

– Geneva S. of Dickson, Tenn.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Success Stories

Accommodation of needs:

Issue #1: 6’6’’ resident is utilizing a standard size wheelchair which does not support his body frame (i.e. lower forearms, wrists, and feet overextend assistive device resulting in resident having contractures). For sleeping, resident was provided a “hospital bed” (standard in nursing homes) that was designed for average sized individuals. (Note: Resident seen daily by physical therapy for wound care treatment but issue not assessed or addressed.)

Ombudsman intervention resulted in: Facility completed quality assurance assistive device study and implemented facility wide policy that all new admissions are assessed for appropriate adaptive equipment and the current long term residents were reassessed as well. Residents requiring new wheelchairs, walkers, beds, etc. did receive.

Issue#2:  Cognitively aware, disabled, quadriplegic biochemical engineer in early his early 50’s with inoperable brain tumor and slow/limited verbal skills, wished to use his personal computer utilizing sip and puff technology (set up in his room upon admission 5 months earlier) and wants to eat in the formal dining room where could eat and interact with equally alert and oriented residents.  (While being fed in assisted dining room with cognitively impaired residents, resident had little social interaction and on several occasions one of the cognitively impaired residents had pulled off his sheet revealing him wearing only running shorts.)

Ombudsman intervention resulted in: Facility established a schedule that allows the resident to be positioned in front of his computer for one hour each day. Resident is now taken to dining room for all meals.  (Ombudsman had to intervene to prevent facility staff from waking and transferring the resident into his wheelchair at 4:00am for the breakfast meal. Staff rational: not enough staff on day shift to wait to get him up and ready to go to the dining room for the breakfast meal.)

Dignity Issues:

Issue #1: Resident must use a foley catheter urine bag. Urine bag is visibly hooked to resident’s wheelchair while in dining room and in all public areas.

Ombudsman intervention resulted in: Facility implemented policy that all catheter urine bags are to be placed inside a no-see through bag/container.

Issue #2: Resident is transported in wheelchair down public hallway without clothes and only a linen sheet draped over her to receive a shower in the communal bathroom.

Ombudsman intervention resulted in: Immediately, facility mandated that all residents are to be transported in full clothing and some type of footwear when leaving their rooms.

Resident Rights Violations:

Issue #1: Wheelchair bound resident with long standing mental health issues involuntarily discharged by nursing home facility to a homeless shelter without medications, follow up psychiatric services, income, or long term care shelter.

Ombudsman intervention resulted in: Immediate referral to Department of Health regulatory agency for investigation; facility cited an immediate jeopardy citation for immediate/potential harm to resident. (Ombudsman Program diligently advocates on behalf of long term care residents to assure they receive a safe and appropriate discharge, when necessary.)

Issue #2: Residents with cognitive impairment and physical limitations are required to eat each meal in their rooms versus being allowed to receive meals in formal dining room (denied social interactions, stimulus, etc.).

Ombudsman intervention resulted in: Facility coordinated with residents and their responsible parties to identify those interested in integrating into the formal dining program. Facility implemented a schedule to accommodate the significant increase in residents attending meals outside of their rooms and in the formal dining program.

Going Above and Beyond to Save a Life

When caregiver Dawn Manns arrived at her client's house on Monday August 3, she found her client's granddaughter searching for her missing grandmother.  The search begins with Dawn, the personal Service Worker and the granddaughter franticly searching the neighborhood.  After 15 minutes, they both realized they needed to contact the police department.  A call was made to the police and the other two workers assigned to this client.

Annette, the homemaker, was able to recall exactly what the client was wearing when she left her a few minutes/hours prior.  Candace, the caregiver who was scheduled to come in later was contacted and she immediately came over to assist in the search.  The group of staff from Northwest Tennessee Human Resource Agency along with the police department were able to locate the client after an exhausting three hour search.  The client was two miles from home and in a ditch that water had already reached chest level. Annette, the caregiver that found the client, pulled her out of the ditch.

Director, Alice Bradley stated "these employees are an example of dedication above and beyond the realm of their job description. I would hate to the think what might have happened without their focus and determination in finding this client".

ETHRA STAFF SUPPORTS MEDIC

Staff has been a long time participant with Medic.  In early December, staff included a blood drive as a part of the 2-day training held at the Jubilee Center in Knoxville.

"Medic provides a great benefit for our employees.  To really understand the importance,  it just takes an emergency and a need for blood.  Thank you Medic and thank you staff," said Gary Holiway, ETHRA Executive Director.

ETHRA HOSTS BREAKFAST

Members of the upcoming 108th General Assembly were invited to join East Tennessee County Mayors and Board officers for breakfast hosted by ETHRA and ETDD (East Tennessee Development District).  The meeting was held on Friday morning, November 16th, at ETHRA's regional office in Knoxville.

There will be a number of new legislators serving East Tennessee and this was an opportunity for the Mayors and staff to meet them.

ETHRA provided information on services and contacts for when their constituents ask for help.

Could there be hungry people right here in East Tennessee? The answer is YES.

Christmas is a joyous time but for some it just highlights their struggles to feed their family.  With so much of the holiday centering around food, it stands to reason there would be added requests for help at local food banks.  And there are.

There is another way families are helped and it is through USDA's Commodity Supplemental Food Program.  The Federal government has been purchasing surplus foods since 1973 for distribution through local non-profit agencies.  The foods are to supplement other groceries.

ETHRA distributes commodities in Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, Scott and Union Counties.  The program is provided in other East Tennessee counties by Community Action Agencies.

Union County staff provided food boxes to over 350 families on December 12th.  It was a festive sight with happy greetings and hellos back and forth like you might see at a church supper.  "How is your daddy?"  "Hey there, is Louise home from the hospital?"  "Haven't seen you in forever."  "Did Willie get a job?

They stood in line in the cold.  The traffic was jammed and cars parked everywhere.  It didn't matter because each family was getting help stretching their food dollars.

Boxes included premium canned pears, canned peaches, old fashion oatmeal, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, peanut butter, mixed fruit, spaghetti sauce, canned pork, and apple-cranberry juice.   Hmmm! visions of cookies and pies.

Listen.  You can still hear "Are we getting cheese?"

More Articles...

• SOUTH CENTRAL HUMAN RESOURCE AGENCY IS RECEIPIANT OF THE 2012 GORDON ACUFF AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
• Stories Told By Foster Grandparents from Marshall County, TN
• South Central HRA Senior Employment Testimonials
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman Success Stories

The Summer Food Program operated by the East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA) has the distinction of being the largest program in the State of Tennessee and has also been acknowledged as one of the best run in the southeast.

Plans are already underway to expand the program this year.  According to Children’s Program Manager Veronica Stephens, “ETHRA staff wants to make this program available to all counties in the surrounding area.”  In 2011 the program was managed by ETHRA in Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Cumberland, Fentress, Grainger, Greene, Jefferson, Loudon, Roane, Scott and Sevier counties.

Studies have found that during the summer months many children struggle with hunger, particularly if they have been receiving free or reduced cost lunches at school.  The Summer Food Program was developed to help keep children healthier and stable.

Between May 23^rd and August 16^th of 2011, ETHRA provided 7,200 Breakfasts, 136,000 Lunches, 42,000 Snacks, and 7,800 Suppers.   

Stephens said “ETHRA’s role is to offer the program to local communities where children gather.”  ETHRA does not buy raw food and cook the meals but selects food vendors within the communities from whom to purchase the meals. 

The 2011 program had 19 different vendors including local restaurants and schools.  During the 12-week program, ETHRA purchased and served meals to 2,397 children each day.  Communities did not just benefit from the children receiving a balanced lunch or dinner.  The food vendors received over $550,000 in payment for food and services.  These funds went directly back into the communities. 

Fewer snow days used by schools results in an extended summer vacation period.   Based on the weather so far this year, ETHRA is planning an increase in the number of meals to be served.  The 2011 period was shortened because the schools had to make up snow days.

Focus this year is to recruit more school s as food vendors and develop larger, centrally located feeding sites.  Access to recreation and feeding sites is always an issue for the children.  Developing sites within the school facilities will help eliminate transportation issues.

ETHRA also plans to work with the area schools that operate under the Department of Education Seamless Summer Program.  A combined effort could create a larger program for each county and help reach the ultimate goal to serve as many children as possible within the region. 

Stephens can be contacted at ETHRA, 9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite D-100, Knoxville 37923 or at 865-691-2551 ext. 4229

ETHRA HOSTS BREAKFAST

Members of the upcoming 108th General Assembly were invited to join East Tennessee County Mayors and Board officers for breakfast hosted by ETHRA and ETDD (East Tennessee Development District).  The meeting was held on Friday morning, November 16th, at ETHRA's regional office in Knoxville.

There will be a number of new legislators serving East Tennessee and this was an opportunity for the Mayors and staff to meet them.

ETHRA provided information on services and contacts for when their constituents ask for help.

Could there be hungry people right here in East Tennessee?  The answer is YES.

Christmas is a joyous time but for some it just highlights their struggles to feed their family.  With so much of the holiday centering around food, it stands to reason there would be added requests for help at local food banks.  And there are.

There is another way families are helped and it is through USDA's Commodity Supplemental Food Program.  The Federal government has been purchasing surplus foods since 1973 for distribution through local non-profit agencies.  The foods are to supplement other groceries.

ETHRA distributes commodities in Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, Scott and Union Counties.  The program is provided in other East Tennessee counties by Community Action Agencies.

Union County staff provided food boxes to over 350 families on December 12th.  It was a festive sight with happy greetings and hellos back and forth like you might see at a church supper.  "How is your daddy?"  "Hey there, is Louise home from the hospital?"  "Haven't seen you in forever."  "Did Willie get a job?

They stood in line in the cold.  The traffic was jammed and cars parked everywhere.  It didn't matter because each family was getting help stretching their food dollars. 

Boxes included premium canned pears, canned peaches, old fashion oatmeal, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, peanut butter, mixed fruit, spaghetti sauce, canned pork, and apple-cranberry juice.   Hmmm! visions of cookies and pies.

Listen.  You can still hear "Are we getting cheese?"

Anderson County Helped By ETHRA With Alternative Jail Program

Overcrowded jails are a financial burden to county governments all across the State.  Anderson County officials have turned to an old idea in hopes of saving tax payers money and ridding the streets of crime.

Since 2006, the county's criminal court has seen an 83% increase in case load and in turn this puts more prisoners into an already overcrowded jail.  In fact, jail was the only choice available to punish offenders.

Anderson County Sheriff Paul White and Criminal Court Judge Don Elledge have worked with East Tennessee Human Resource Agency and other State officials to reactivate a program that gives non-violent offenders an alternative to jail time.  Former county officials had abandoned the program in the mid 1990s even though it was proven effective and used in other communities all across East Tennessee.

Jailing an inmate costs Anderson County government $55 per day or more than $20,000 a year.   ETHRA's Community Corrections Program will have an immediate impact to reduce county costs and allow offenders to be supervised for about $5 a day.  

Many problems can be avoided with a program that gives non-violent offenders an alternative to jail time.  According to Judge Elledge, "If an offender sits in jail they may get detox for 30 days but that does not mean they have received all the treatment they should have to realize it's ongoing.  You have to set up a life altering course."  

Community Corrections will offer participants alcohol and drug education classes and therapy.  At the same time, participants are expected to work, support their families, pay their court costs and remain drug free.  "They are being supervised and they are becoming productive members of society."

ETHRA received $130,000 to expand Community Corrections into Anderson County.  The funding from Tennessee Probation and Parole will allow for two new officers to provide supervision for approximately 60 offenders.  

Sheriff White says having Community Corrections restored is a big relief.  "It will help us even if we can just get relief from two or three inmates."

Gordon Acuff, ETHRA Executive Director, said "Community Corrections is yet another way county governments are served by the East Tennessee Human Resource Agency.  It is our pleasure to work collectively with law enforcement, judicial members and legislative representatives to identify the funds and restore this program for Anderson County."