Sequatchie County awards $75,338 in opioid‑settlement funds for recovery housing

The Sequatchie County Commission voted on Nov. 17 to award up to $75,338 in opioid‑settlement funds to Helping Hands from the Heart to support recovery‑housing services in the county. The award follows a competitive process administered by the county’s opioid abatement committee and consultations with technical advisors.

Opioid abatement committee representative Lou Ann Daskin told the commission the county identified two service gaps — recovery housing and a public education campaign — and that Helping Hands from the Heart was the single compliant respondent for recovery housing after an additional grant round and grant‑writing workshop. Daskin warned commissioners this is "a high risk endeavor for the county" and said the committee recommended a performance‑based contract with quarterly milestones and data collection to mitigate risk.

The committee originally reviewed a larger budget request; after removing unallowable costs and confirming that some certifications are available at no cost via the Department of Corrections, the committee recommended $75,338 to be dispersed quarterly upon meeting agreed milestones. Committee members and the county executive recommended a legal review: the meeting record shows staff will seek review by CTAS legal (county legal/consultant review) before final contract approval.

Commissioners approved the award; the transcript records a roll call in which the motion carried. Meeting presenters noted the funds are opioid settlement dollars and not part of the county’s general tax revenue, and that program outcomes and reporting will be tied to the contract terms.

The discussion and approval are recorded in the meeting transcript beginning at SEG 2054 and continuing through SEG 2279.