Knoxville TN, October 8, 2025
News Summary
The University of Tennessee Extension has secured nearly $500,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission’s INSPIRE initiative to support the Skill Up Tennessee Recovery Initiative. This program focuses on workforce development for individuals facing substance use disorder (SUD) by providing them with educational opportunities and job training. The initiative aims to empower these individuals, enhance workforce participation, and create recovery-friendly workplaces throughout several Tennessee counties.
Knoxville
The University of Tennessee Extension has secured nearly $500,000 in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission’s INSPIRE initiative. This substantial funding is dedicated to expanding workforce development efforts tailored for individuals facing substance use disorder (SUD).
The initiative, known as the Skill Up Tennessee Recovery Initiative, is an extension of the existing Skill Up Tennessee program established in 2017. The original program focuses on assisting Tennessee SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients by connecting them with educational opportunities and job training. The new initiative specifically aims to support those with or at risk of developing SUD, addressing their unique challenges in workforce participation.
The counties primarily served by this initiative include Bledsoe, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Dekalb, Fentress, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson, Johnson, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Rhea, Sequatchie, Scott, Unicoi, Van Buren, Warren, and White. These regions are particularly impacted by high rates of SUD, exacerbated by geographic isolation, stigma, and a lack of behavioral health professionals.
Collaborating with various organizations, the initiative will work alongside the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the UT Knoxville Department of Public Health, and Tennessee Reconnect. Partnerships with Tennessee rural community opioid response programs will be crucial to delivering prevention, treatment, recovery education, and advocacy services.
Participants in the Skill Up Tennessee Recovery Initiative will be eligible for various supportive services, including tuition assistance, textbooks, testing fees, uniforms, tools, transportation reimbursements, and childcare referrals. The program focuses on providing work readiness training, job search training, and job retention support, fostering a comprehensive approach to workforce readiness.
Moreover, businesses will receive training to better understand the needs of individuals with SUD, promoting the creation of recovery-friendly workplaces. The primary goal of the initiative is to empower individuals and communities to break cycles of substance use while encouraging greater workforce participation.
Laura Clark, the interim community health specialist for the UT Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Department, highlighted the need for collaborative solutions in improving behavioral health services. The Skill Up Tennessee Recovery Initiative will focus on short-term vocational and technical training, equipping participants with industry-recognized credentials in high-demand fields.
The initiative builds upon the effective established processes from prior Skill Up Tennessee operations, addressing the training needs of individuals facing SUD. By focusing on both skills development and supportive services, the program strives to contribute positively to both individuals’ lives and local communities.
FAQ Section
What is the Skill Up Tennessee Recovery Initiative?
The Skill Up Tennessee Recovery Initiative is an expansion of the existing Skill Up Tennessee program that specifically targets individuals with substance use disorder (SUD).
How much funding did the University of Tennessee Extension receive?
The University of Tennessee Extension received nearly $500,000 in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission’s INSPIRE initiative.
What counties will benefit from this initiative?
The counties primarily served by this initiative are Bledsoe, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Dekalb, Fentress, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson, Johnson, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Rhea, Sequatchie, Scott, Unicoi, Van Buren, Warren, and White.
What types of support will participants receive?
Participants will be eligible for tuition assistance and supportive services including textbooks, testing fees, uniforms, tools, transportation reimbursements, and childcare referrals.
What skills training will the initiative focus on?
The initiative will focus on providing work readiness training, job search training, and job retention support while equipping participants with industry-recognized credentials for in-demand fields.
How will businesses be supported?
Businesses will receive training to understand the needs of individuals with SUD to promote recovery-friendly workplaces.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Funding | Nearly $500,000 from Appalachian Regional Commission’s INSPIRE initiative |
| Primary Focus | Workforce development for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) |
| Supporting Services | Tuition assistance, textbooks, transportation reimbursements, childcare referrals |
| Training Provided | Work readiness, job search training, job retention support |
| Collaborative Partners | Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, UT Knoxville Department of Public Health, Tennessee Reconnect |
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Additional Resources
- Herald-Citizen: UT Extension’s Skill Up Tennessee Program Expands
- Tennessean: Susan Binns’ Death Highlights Addiction Recovery in Nashville
- Tennessee Tribune: Tennessee Recovery Coalition Launches
- Wikipedia: Substance Use Disorder
- Business Wire: Holon Health Expands Operations in Tennessee
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