"Access to quality facilities providing quality services is more important than ever in Tennessee's local communities," Dr. Alvarado said.
"Leadership in both the public and private sectors is exactly how we improve the culture of health and healthcare in Tennessee, and how our state becomes the model in the southeast U.S. for meeting the needs of citizens where they live, work, play, and worship."
In 2022, Perry County received a $500,000 grant from the State's Collaborative Action for Resilience and Equity (CARE) program to transform an unused space at the community center into offices, classrooms, common areas, and community kitches.
Perry County's Community Hub concept means youth now have a central location for after school activities, mental health support, cooking classes, and tutoring.
"This is an example of how coordinated action can mean long-term health improvements for communities," Sarah Russell, Perry County Health Departmenbt Director said.
"In Perry County, this is a locally-led partnership effort where collaborative efforts now can make generational changes for the future."
Perry County was among seven Tennessee counties receiving $1.8 million CARE grants in 2022.
Based on the Perry County Health Council's identification of local priorities and the group's action plans to support health improvements for low-income, minority, and rural populations, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Allyson Dickey wrote the grant proposal which had the highest ascore of all applicants statewide, and resulted in Perry County receiving the greatest amount of funding.
Visitors to the grand opening toured the facility, spoke with Health Council members about planned services, and enjoyed coffee and refreshments.
The hub is located down the large hallway past the community room, and around the corner to the right.
Other counties receiving grant money:
-- Lawrence: $485,000 to create a new Lawrencburg Square Pavilion to house a farmer's market and exercise facility, and to host health-focused community classes and events.
-- Dyer: $440,000 for mental health counseling and substance misuse outreach and services with the Hopefield Mental Health Foundation at a new facility down Dyersburg.
-- Hickman: $250,000 to support mental health and substancwe misuse programs for individuals and families at five community centers.
-- Monroe: $50,000 to create a farm-to-school program coordinator position to provide nutrition education to county students on benefits of locally-grown fruits and vegetables.
-- Davidson: $50,000 for a research project in North Nashville to examine the area's food availability landscape and historical causes of food insecurity.
-- Williamson: $25,000 for suicide prevention and crisis intervention training for civic and community organizations through the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.
