Rutherford Opioid Board approves multiple grants, commercial script and MTSU contract; trims Community Helpers request

The Rutherford Opioid Board approved several grant awards, a script for a public awareness commercial, and a contract with Middle Tennessee State University during its June meeting. Board members also accepted a budget reduction for Community Helpers recommended by county budget staff.

The board voted to fully fund or award grant amounts to multiple applicants after staff presentations and reviewer recommendations. Votes were taken by roll call for several awards.

Key funding and contract actions (votes at a glance):

- Volunteer Behavioral Health (continuation and slight expansion): Board approved $217,260 in reimbursement‑based funding to expand behavioral health liaisons and outreach. Roll call: William Cope — Yes; Lori Flippo — Yes; Kelly Haley — Yes; Chris Breeding — Yes; Commissioner Peay — Yes; Chairman Harris — Yes. The program will add 0.5 FTE to address increased demand, provide crisis stabilization outreach, and conduct stigma‑reduction education. Reviewers recommended full funding; staff noted travel and phone line‑item questions but cited prior year precedent.

- Prevention Coalition for Success (family preservation/prevention): Board approved $63,085 to support youth and family wraparound services intended to deflect youth from the justice system. Board members abstained from voting where conflict was declared and proceeded with roll call: William Cope — Yes; Lori Flippo — Yes; Kelly Haley — Yes; Trish Bridal (Breeding) — Yes; Mister Pate — Yes; Chairman Harris — Yes.

- Interfaith Dental Clinic (oral health integrated with OUD prevention): Board approved $82,701 to fund dental screening, naloxone distribution, training for dental providers on OUD screening and referral, and purchase of locking pill safes. Roll call recorded affirmative votes and the motion passed.

- Kamari House (trauma‑informed supervised visitation): Board approved $96,029 to continue supervised visitation services that support parent‑child contact and reduce long‑term harms associated with parental substance use. Roll call: affirmative; motion passed.

- Endura Athletics (after‑school and summer programming for McKinney‑Vento youth): Board approved $109,771 with a hybrid payment approach: a lump sum for supplies related to meals and enrichment and reimbursement for fleet insurance/maintenance and remaining personnel costs. The board previously provided a partial lump‑sum to reduce administrative drawdown burdens; the motion passed by roll call.

- Community Helpers (first‑time applicant — reduced allocation): County budget staff recommended trimming this first‑time applicant’s request; the board accepted a 41.8% reduction to $100,000 (reduction and exact line‑item adjustments to be administered through county budget processes). The board’s finance staff explained that first‑time applicant caps and consistent guidance for applicants will be discussed prior to Cycle 2.

- Commercial script for public awareness ("Faces Behind the Numbers"): The board reviewed and approved a script for a movie‑theater ad series intended to raise public awareness. Motion to proceed passed by voice vote.

- MTSU contract: The board voted to approve a contract with Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) to provide evaluation/technical assistance services tied to the board’s grant process; the motion passed on roll call.

Funding decisions were generally aligned with reviewer recommendations; board members discussed salary and travel line items during deliberations and emphasized reimbursement controls, documentation and tracking of Rutherford County beneficiaries for grants that serve multiple counties.

Ending: Board staff were asked to standardize guidance for first‑time applicants (possible cap or clearer expectations) before Cycle 2, to prepare tracking spreadsheets for county‑targeted assistance, and to present a consolidated available‑funds figure to the board in advance of the August funding cycle.