Tennessee Department of Human Services and United Way of Metropolitan Nashville Join Together for New Pilot Program in Nashville

$1.6 Million Grant focuses on family success and upward mobility

NASHVILLE –The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has partnered with United Way of Metropolitan Nashville (UWMN) providing a 2-year, $1.6 million grant designed to provide intensive case management for families living in poverty. The partnership illustrates TDHS’ 2G for Tennessee or two-generation (2Gen) approach focused on creating multi-generational progress for low-income families. The 2Gen approach has a laser focus on providing intentional services and supports to both parents and children that create a solid foundation for the family to build on.

UWMN will work with community partners such as Fannie Battle Day Home for Children and The McGruder Family Resource Center to implement the Family Empowerment pilot program through July 2019. The pilot program will use an intensive case management service model integrated into the community to engage, assess, and assist up to 140 families over the next two years.

“The two-generation approach ties together components essential for community impact: education, economic supports, health and well-being, and social capital. These components, paired with intentional case management will have a lasting, positive influence on participating families and the communities they are making stronger,” said Danielle W. Barnes, TDHS Commissioner.

“United Way of Metropolitan Nashville is excited about the two-generation partnership. We look forward to working alongside TDHS as we work to solve some of Nashville’s most complex problems. Through partnerships like this, we know we can make an impact in the lives of Nashville families,” said Erica Mitchell, Sr. Director of Community Impact at United Way of Metropolitan Nashville.

TDHS and UWMN initiated discussions for the partnership in fall 2016. Since then, they have worked together to co-design a program with an intentional focus on education, upward economic mobility, health indicators, community engagement, workforce readiness, and financial literacy.

To learn more about 2G for Tennessee and the two-generation approach, visit http://tn.gov/humanservices/topic/2gen-approach.