Newsroom

TDMHSAS is releasing $5.2 million in grant funding to create safe, quality, affordable housing for people living with mental illness, recovering from substance use disorder, and re-entering communities from incarceration. The department awarded grants from the Creating Homes Initiative (CHI) to 12 non-profit agencies across the state. In total, the agencies committed to create 101 new beds with the funding.

Tennessee’s annual “Day of Hope" is set for March 10. The 2025 edition marks the 6th annual celebration of the role of hope as a powerful force for change in in the face of substance use and mental health challenges.

TDMHSAS is excited to announce the appointment of James Harper as Director of Faith-Based Initiatives. The new role is a promotion for Harper who has served as Assistant Director for almost two years.

Tennessee’s Project Rural Recovery is growing. Thanks to $6.3 million budgeted in the current fiscal year by Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly, Project Rural Recovery is expanding to ten new counties.

Tennesseans have a renewed opportunity to remove harmful and potentially-addictive prescription medication from their homes as a part of the upcoming 20th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The event is ¬¬¬set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 24, 2021.

TDMHSAS has secured an additional $7.2 million in federal grant funding to respond to mental health and addiction concerns caused by COVID-19 and recent natural disasters.

The Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) has supported agricultural production projects for 15 years, and Tennessee producers will continue to receive cost share assistance for farm expansions and improvements.

TDMHSAS is receiving a $10 million federal grant to take behavioral services to the rural Tennesseans who need them the most. The funding will be spread over five years and will fund a pair of mobile health clinics to address the behavioral health and physical health needs of residents in ten rural Tennessee Counties.

March 10, 2020 is being proclaimed as “Tennessee’s Day of Hope” by Governor Bill Lee. The proclamation is in recognition of community events planned across the state to educate, energize, and empower Tennesseans to do what they can to get involved and reverse the trends of deadly drug overdoses and suicides.

TDMHSAS is proud to add five new Lifeline Peer Project Coordinators in rural and distressed areas of the state. The new Lifeliners, as they are known, will be based in Cocke, Grundy, Lauderdale, McNairy, and Scott Counties.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced projects receiving funding through the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) program which prioritizes learning opportunities in rural counties and enhances career and technical education statewide.

LINDEN, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee convened his cabinet for a meeting with local officials from Tennessee’s 15 distressed counties during the Governor’s Rural Opportunity Summit in Perry County. The meeting caps a state government-wide audit mandated under Executive Order 1 which examines how departments are serving rural areas, specifically distressed counties. Executive Order 1 also required departments to provide suggestions for improvements moving forward.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced $14.8 million in broadband accessibility grants that will expand broadband service to more than 8,300 households and businesses in 17 counties across Tennessee. “I am pleased to announce that we are getting our rural areas up to speed and expanding broadband in the areas that need it most,” said Lee. “I am committed to ensuring connectivity in every corner of our state as broadband impacts our goals for health care, education, economic development and beyond.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced his first legislative initiative, the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) to expand access to vocational and technical training for Tennessee students.