ENVIVE Solutions supported the planning phase of a 13-county, multi-agency initiative seeking a multi-year, multi-million dollar state grant. Led by the Upper Cumberland Regional Human Resources Department (Tennessee), the initiative will provide resources to “lift children and families of the Upper Cumberland out of generational poverty.”ENVIVE Solutions advised on the role of behavioral health during the initiative’s planning phase, ensuring that the five-year plan will consider the behavioral health needs of people experiencing poverty across a 13-county area in Tennessee.

 

ENVIVE also provided consulting and structural support for the team. We managed the geographically dispersed team to ensure seamless communication, and we employed project management to coordinate stakeholders, prioritize activities, track risks and decisions, and monitor the progress of critical milestones.

 

The project assembled experts from the state university; Circles USA, a national nonprofit focused on poverty alleviation; the regional labor board, healthcare delivery systems, and community members who had a common vision of "prosperity for all." The planning phase took three months. The project resulted in the successful acquisition of $25 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Opportunity Act funds.

 

This project was one of seven pilot programs (out of 80 applicants) to receive a share of $175 million in combined funding allocated to address the needs of families located in urban and rural areas across the State of Tennessee.