Rutherford County opioid-abatement board approves dozens of grants to local treatment, prevention and housing programs

The Rutherford County Opioid Abatement Board on Tuesday approved a series of contract renewals and grant awards intended to expand prevention, treatment and housing services across the county.

The board approved routine contract renewals for Middle Tennessee State University’s data agreement and two public‑information advertising contracts — a six‑month Lamar billboard contract for $6,400 and a 26‑week Smart Light shopping‑center advertising contract for $1,917.50. Vice Chairman Reid moved to approve the minutes and the board approved the financial report covering combined April–May expenditures.

In a packed agenda of grant decisions, the board funded multiple requests recommended by the review committee. Rutherford County Schools received the full requested $16,600 to continue opioid‑prevention education for grades 5–12. Volunteer Behavioral Health was approved for a targeted $8,841 to install and restock a Narcan vending machine in Smyrna. Doors of Hope received phased funding for its intensive outpatient program for women (about $50,400 now, with a follow‑up installment later), and multiple treatment and housing programs — including Renewed Life Ministries ($97,440), Hustle Recovery ($100,000), The Journey Home ($100,000) and Recovery Is the New High ($75,000 directed to housing vouchers) — were approved with the amounts the board moved to fund.

Other awards included partial or targeted funding for PC4S ($44,113, excluding academic detailing), Nurses for Newborns ($62,725), Kamari House ($24,293 targeted to specific assistance and supplies), Interfaith Dental ($50,000 restricted to restorative dental work), Thriving Together TN ($46,950 with $20,000 in specific assistance), Community Helpers ($80,000 specific assistance), Graceful Gems ($35,557 for staff, supplies and assistance) and Endure Athletics ($30,000 for enrichment supplies). Murphy'sboro City Schools’ $90,000 request for two 'com coach' positions was not funded after reviewers concluded the request appeared to supplant existing budgeted services; the board took no motion on that item.

Chairman Harris recognized grantee representatives who were present and thanked local providers and staff, saying the funded work has contributed to a local decline in fatal overdoses. "Our death rates are down 50%," he said, and he thanked agencies and staff for the work. The board noted there will be no meeting in July and adjourned.

What this means: the board largely followed the review committee recommendations, prioritizing specific assistance lines (direct client supports and vouchers) and programmatic capacity that reviewers judged to expand services. Several awards were structured to limit salaries or administrative spending and instead protect direct‑service dollars (for example, Interfaith Dental’s approved $50,000 was restricted to restorations rather than payroll). Murphy'sboro City Schools’ request was declined because reviewers judged it would replace existing funding rather than expand services.

Next steps: staff will finalize contracts and release award notices; several awards were expressly limited to particular line‑items (Narcan dispenser/restock, dental restorations, recovery housing vouchers). The board also asked staff to check legal/budget constraints around prior scholarship decisions as a follow up. The board will not meet in July and will reconvene on its regular schedule thereafter.