The National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) is a coalition of organizations and individuals concerned with the energy needs and issues of the nation’s low income population.  The NEUAC conference was held the first week of June and many varied and informative workshops and sessions were offered.  The sessions covered topics from Outreach to Vulnerable Populations to Policy, Advocacy, and Education to name just a few.  However, a common topic that relates directly to South Central Human Resource Agency were sessions concerning the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP.  LIHEAP serves a vital life-saving role; providing the means to consistent home heating and cooling to those most at risk.  The program is an efficient and effective tool that collaborates with community based programs to support thousands of vulnerable citizens including the elderly, disabled, unemployed and families with young children.  This financial assistance with energy costs can allow families to remain in the safety and security of their homes.

In the state of Tennessee in 2017, LIHEAP spent $58,665,764 in utility assistance and weatherization programs.  There were over 705,00 Tennessee families that were eligible for LIHEAP, however only 87,527 households received that assistance.   In the families that received assistance, over 87% had a family member who was considered vulnerable.  A more revealing breakdown of the numbers show 37.82% had a family member over 60 years old, 54.60% had a family member who was disabled and 14.41% of the families had a child under 6 years old.  In the 2017-2018 fiscal year, South Central Human Resource Agency provided over $2,800,000 to 7,363 applicants across our 13 county region.  We also provided over $332,000 is assistance for 30 Weatherization projects across the region. (information from www.neuac.org and SCHRA Annual Report 2017-2018)

Sara Brown, Deputy Executive Director, stated that this conference was “a good chance to meet with peers and see best practices from other states and organizations”.  Those in attendance were able see what the agency can do to improve service delivery as well as taking the opportunities to work in conjunction with other agencies and organizations in each county to make sure we are serving each community to the best of our ability.

Photo below of NEUAC attendees L to R: Sara Brown, Deputy Executive Director, Debbie Hopkins, WAP Coordinator, Rebecca Holdmeyer, LIHEAP Assistance                                                                         Coordinator and Blake Lay, Lawrenceburg City Mayor

South Central Human Resource Agency's Justice Services Recovery Court program graduated its first class.  This graduation ceremony honored the first three individuals who completed the intensive substance abuse treatment program.  The first graduates were Robert Garcia, Walter Howard and Jeannie Wallace.  The program duration is typically 14-16 months and program clients are under strict supervision from the Recovery Court team.  The programs goals are to enhance public safety and improve the overall quality of life in the community by addressing the needs of non-violent offenders and return these men and women to healthy, sober and productive lives.   Judge N. Andy Myrick, presiding judge over the program, spoke to the graduates saying that he hoped these graduates can "be an example to everyone".  Currently the program has 16 people enrolled.

Photo: Center front L to R: Walter Howard, Robert Garcia and Jeannie Wallace.  They are surrounded by family, friends and the Recovery Court team.

On Friday, May 31st, Hickman County cut the ribbon on the new Veterans Service Office.  The office is located at 202 E. Public Square in Centerville.  The new facility has been a five year long labor of love that was lead by the Hickman County Veterans Service Officer Rick Humphrey with support from both city and county leadership.  More than 50 people showed up for the ribbon cutting and open house.  They were able to see some of the amazing military history that has come from Centerville and Hickman County as well as enjoy hamburgers and hotdogs for lunch.  This building is also home to Hickman County's American Legion Post 36 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4967 making it the perfect landing spot for any and all Veterans in the county.  The facility is open and welcoming and ready to assist the veterans of Hickman County.  Congratulations to Rick for a job well done.

Pictures left and center: pre and post ribbon cutting L to R: Centerville Mayor Gary Jacobs, Veterans Service Officer Rick Humphrey, Hickman County Mayor Mark Bentley and American Legion Post 36 Commander Richard Hines.  Far right photo: VSO Officer Rick Humphrey

SCHRA is proud  to support our Veterans and honored to support each county's Veterans Service Office.  This year we were able to turn that support into $2,000.00 assistance grants for each county's office.  This money, which comes from  Community Service Block Grant funding is able to be used by each county’s director as needed to support their county's veterans.  These directors know better than anyone exactly what their veterans need.  This money is able to be used for items such as transportation assistance to the VA, medical equipment such as walkers or shower chairs, groceries and crisis rental assistance among others.  We are thankful for all of our veterans service to our nation and are honored to be able to give direct assistance to those same veterans.

(Photos left to right: Marshall County VSO Director, Jeremy Moorehead and SCHRA Community Advocate Coordinator, Patricia Keenan, -- Hickman County VSO Director, Rick Humphrey and SCHRA CAC, Patricia Keenan and Coffee County Mayor, Gary Cordell, VSO Director, Gene Stillings and SCHRA CAC, Patricia Keenan)

(Photos from left to right Franklin County Mayor David Alexander, VSO Service Officer Michelle Stovall and SCHRA CAC Patricia Keenan;  Moore County Mayor Bonnie Lewis and SCHRA CAC Patricia Keenan;  Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham, Director of Finance Robert Daniel, VSO Administrator Pamela Roberson and SCHRA CAC Patricia Keenan)

(photos from left to right: SCHRA CAC Patricia Keenan and Giles County Veterans Service Officer Barry Alsup; SCHRA CAC Patricia Keenan and Lincoln County Veterans Service Officer Terry Quick)

Photo below: SCHRA CAC Patricia Keenan, Maury County Veterans Services Director Gabriel Wren, Maury County Veterans Services Officer Jay Ramaswamy and Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles                                                

 Photo below: SCHRA CAC Patricia Keenan, Wayne County Veterans Services Officer John Allen Berry, Wayne County Mayor Jim Mangubat and Tennessee Congressman Dr. Mark Green

Photo below left: SCHRA Community Advocate Patricia Keenan and Perry County Veteran Service Officer Kenny Belew; below right: Lewis County Mayor Jonah Keltner, SCHRA Community Advocate Patricia Keenan, Lewis County Veterans Service Officer Richie Brewer and Lewis County Commissioner Nathan Kelly