Tag Archives: UCHRA

Changes to UCHRA public transportation’s COVID precautions were made Tuesday. “In accordance to the court ruling and the TSA no longer enforcing the federal mask mandate, face masks will no longer be required for our customers and staff members on our public transportation vehicles and facilities,” Transportation Director Holly Montooth said. Montooth said the decision was made after the Transportation ... Read More »

UCHRA will make its presentation to the state Thursday for its chance for a $25 million grant over three years. Pilot program presentations from 17 entities are scheduled. The entities competing for grants to change how assistance is delivered to families. Executive Director Mark Farley said countless hours have been spent preparing. “The basis of our proposal would be to ... Read More »

Smithville seeking state funding to purchase a facility to create additional transitional housing for those battling drug abuse. UCDD/UCHRA applying for the grant on behalf of the city. Executive Director Mark Farley said the entities pursued DeKalb County since its application would likely score the highest out of the region. “In the state of Tennessee, they rate the highest in ... Read More »

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 how they’re doing their job,” ... Read More »

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 now,” Farley said. “The real ... Read More »

The Empower UC Collaboration wants community input. The group is finishing the preparation for a $25 million dollar grant to reimagine how UC families in need are served. Project Director Megan Spurgeon said that the opportunity came about through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Opportunity Act. She said that their goal is to bring some 500 UC families out ... Read More »

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 of the application. “That working ... Read More »

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 feel right now,” Farley said. ... Read More »

Cold temperatures serve as a good reminder that help is available through UCHRA’s heating program. Community Services Director TaShana Hooks said the LIHEAP program helps low income families keep their homes warm. “We have funds available for regular assistance, and we have funds for crisis assistance,” Hooks said. “In order to get our crisis assistance, you have to have a ... Read More »

UCHRA’s transportation department has seen a good reception of its new partnership with Uber. Transportation Director Holly Montooth said ridership is increasing every weekend for Pick Up Cookeville. “Majority of the ridership is in a centralized area in Cookeville, which we kind of expected that, but thought we might see more of that readership over toward Tech, but it’s really ... Read More »