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Rutherford County committee authorizes mayor to sign MOU with Doors of Hope to support reentry training
Summary
The Rutherford County Public Safety Committee authorized the mayor to sign a memorandum of understanding with Doors of Hope to support grant-funded reentry classes; the county will provide participants and classroom space but will not be financially liable. The correctional work center also reported ranking first in a state re-entry pilot.
The Rutherford County Public Safety Committee authorized the mayor to sign a memorandum of understanding with nonprofit Doors of Hope that would allow the group to apply for a grant to deliver reentry-to-workforce classes in county facilities.
Captain Jason Smitty, presenting the Correctional Work Center report, told commissioners the county would only provide classroom space and participants if the grant is awarded; the county would not be financially responsible for the grant funds. "If the grant is awarded to Doors of Hope, the county will be responsible—won't be responsible for any of the money," Smitty said, describing the county's role as logistical support rather than fiscal sponsor.
The MOU discussed covers a 36-month period with classes structured as 12-week sessions and a minimum class size of 15 participants. Commissioners asked how enrollment would be scheduled; staff said the center would continue running one class per period under the terms described.
The committee also heard that the Correctional Work Center placed first among 33 participants in a state pilot program for re-entry-to-workforce initiatives. Smitty said the facility led the group in enrollments and completions for vocational tracks such as HVAC certifications, plumbing and quality-assurance technician training, and digital-marketing preparation.
The MOU authorization was approved by roll call. The committee recorded affirmative votes during the roll call, and the chair announced the authorization had been approved.
Next steps: the mayor will be authorized to sign the MOU if Doors of Hope’s grant application is successful; commissioners asked county staff to monitor enrollments and report back on class scheduling and completion metrics.
