Hamblen County Schools seek $40,000 in opioid-settlement funds for Transition Academy playground

Jamie Green, assistant superintendent for Hamblen County Schools, told the finance committee the district is seeking $40,000 in opioid-settlement funds to purchase therapeutic playground equipment for the Transition Academy.

"That transition academy is now up and running. It's a very successful center...we are asking...that part of those funds be used to help provide some therapeutic play equipment at the Transition Academy," Green said, describing the equipment as part of behavior therapy to teach cooperation and social skills.

Green said the Transition Academy is housed at Miller Boyd Alternative School on an expanded campus and that the requested funds would be a one-time purchase for equipment; the program has already used its awarded opioid settlement personnel funds and needs the additional money to build the outdoor therapeutic space. Commissioners asked whether the equipment would be used during the school day and who would staff the program; Green said it is part of a structured therapeutic program and no new hires would be required to operate the playground equipment.

Finance staff confirmed Hamblen County receives about $200,000 a year in opioid abatement funds in quarterly installments and that the finance committee will now handle distribution of those monies. Green's application was adjusted during discussion from an earlier $60,000 figure to $40,000 before the committee voted. A motion to approve the county contributing the requested $40,000 from opioid abatement funds passed.

Why it matters: The request directs settlement funds toward school-based therapeutic services for students exhibiting behaviors the district linked to opioid-related adverse childhood experiences. Using opioid-settlement money for school-based interventions is a local policy decision with implications for how settlement proceeds are prioritized.