Tennessee Alliance For Drug-Endangered Children Receive Funding For Clay, Putnam

The TBI received funding to aid the efforts Tennessee Alliance for Drug-Endangered Children in Clay and Putnam Counties.

Statewide Coordinator Tabatha Curtis said the program works to leverage resources for children who are exposed to substance abuse, use, and manufacturing of drugs. She said this can include anything from food stability to school supplies.

“So Putnam and Clay County were selected because they’re already established coalitions through the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services,” Curtis said. “And not only that, but they are representing the Upper Cumberland area of the state of Tennessee.”

Curtis said the organization has been intentional in its expansion. She said they wanted a base for services in each of the state’s three grand regions: East, Middle, and West Tennessee.

Curtis said the program takes a holistic approach and uses standards set by the National Alliance for Drug-Endangered Children. She said that means efforts are also concentrated on helping parents and caregivers with services to work toward or keep them on a path to healthy, productive lifestyles.

“It has been an issue ongoing and all along, we are just now in a better place,” Curtis said. “And I think our federal and state partners are also receiving funding and we can better align our resources and funding opportunities to support one another and meet the needs of the children.