| Name | Camilla |
|---|---|
| Last Name | Bibbs |
| Home Address | 4431 Hancock Road Chattanooga, Tennessee 37416 United States |
| Organization Name | Hamilton County Coalition |
| Describe Your Role In The Organization | I serve as the Executive Director for the Hamilton County Coalition. Since 2008, I have led the charge to cultivate a community-based coalition that would reduce substance misuse and abuse in Chattanooga, Hamilton County and Region 3 South. I provide day to day management and oversight of 12 grants, 5 staff and 10 consultants and . Along with a dedicated group of more than 35 volunteers change agents. I provide guidance to a diverse, multi-disciplinary team of professionals and community advocates who implement comprehensive, prevention strategies that foster safe, healthy drug-free youth, families and communities. In addition, I also supervise the implementation of the Nu-Start Program that connects individuals and families with treatment, recovery and support services. |
| Organization Address | 5721 Marlin Road, Suite 3200 Chattanooga, Tennessee 37411 United States |
| Website | https://www.hccoalition.org |
| Best Phone Number To Reach You | 423-305-1449 |
| Alternate Phone Number | 423421-4594 |
| Email Address | hccoalition@gmail.com |
| Alternate Email Address | robertschreane@gmail.com |
| Please Describe Your Project In Detail | The Hamilton County Coalition provides drug prevention education to youth and young adults. The HC Coalition also provides treatment/ recovery & support services to individuals and families “at risk” or recently released from incarceration. The HC Coalition offers comprehensive services and supports for individuals with substance use disorder, however we don’t provide housing. Housing is a huge need for individuals when they return home form treatment. More than 70% of our target population have unstable housing before they go to treatment. When they return, it is more challenging to locate safe, drug free housing for them. The HC Coalition is requesting $800,000 for Nu-Start Supportive Housing Initiative. This will allow individuals who are unhoused and returning from treatment a safe supportive drug free environment to continue on the road to recovery. Supportive services will be offered to residents in the program to include counseling, job reediness classes, job recruitment & placement , life skills training, transportation, and access to medical and mental health services. Even though rent will be affordable, assistance will be provided for the first three months to allow the individual to attend classes and stabilize as they transition. According to the Center for Disease Control, People who use drugs at increased risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. People with underlying medical conditions, such as substance use disorder, chronic lung disease, chronic liver disease, or serious heart conditions, are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. We know that drug use can have serious effects on the body. For example: • The use of opioids can cause slow breathing, and can even result in ineffective breathing, which can lead to decreased oxygen in the blood, brain damage, or death. • The use of stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine, can cause acute health problems such as stroke, heart attacks, abnormal heart rhythm, and seizures, as well as more chronic conditions, such as heart or lung damage. • The use of drugs by smoking or vaping (for example, heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana) can make chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and other lung conditions worse. • Other conditions that affect the immune response, such as HIV, are more common among people who use drugs, especially among those who inject drugs. According to the CDC, people with a substance use disorder are at increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. This was evident in overdose related incidents in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Initial reports from the Chattanooga Police Department found that overdoses increased by approximately 45% 2020 to 2021 (Chattanooga Police Department). Overdose deaths in Chattanooga also increased from 35 (2020) to 49 (2021). Individuals with substance use disorder have experienced trauma exacerbated by the pandemic. Initial reports find overdoses increased by approximately 45% 2020 to 2021 (Chattanooga Police Department). Overdose deaths in Chattanooga also increased from 35 (2020) to 49 (2021). The Nu-Start Supportive Housing Initiative addresses supportive housing by improving access to stable housing for individuals who are unhoused when they return from treatment. 1-3 months: Continue working with Reginald Ruff, SSR and Associates and Amos Matthews from Keller Williams to identify property suitable for the housing initiative. Purchase property. Begin Renovation. Recruit and Hire Consultant: Care Coordinator to assist future residents with recovery and social services supports. Coordinator also identifying funding streams and donations for household and furniture Meet with Community Stakeholders. Expand current Nu-Start program supports to include stable housing supports. 3-6 months: Continue renovation. Attend community outreach events, Host focus group meetings with neighborhood and faith based groups, Provide education and awareness about the Housing Initiative. Identify and secure additional funding streams for the program. 6-9 months: Complete renovation. Refer potential residents to treatment. Implement Recovery support services and social services. Recruit potential residents. Implement training for residents. Work with Nu-Start Program to identify rental assistance to support new tenants. 9-12 months: Evaluate services and supports, determine number of individuals placed in treatment, number who received vaccinations, number who moved in the Nu-Start House. Number of residents who successfully transition from inpatient services to supportive living. |
| Please explain how your project meets the requirements of the American Rescue Plan | Initial reports from the Chattanooga Police Department found that overdoses increased by approximately 45% 2020 to 2021 (Chattanooga Police Department). Overdose deaths in Chattanooga also increased from 35 (2020) to 49 (2021). Individuals with substance use disorder have experienced trauma exacerbated by the pandemic. Initial reports find overdoses increased by approximately 45% 2020 to 2021 (Chattanooga Police Department). Overdose deaths in Chattanooga also increased from 35 (2020) to 49 (2021). The Nu-Start Supportive Housing Initiative addresses supportive housing by improving access to stable housing for individuals who are unhoused when they return from treatment. |
| Where would your project take place? | Chattanooga |
| How much will your project cost in total? | 800000 |
| Do you have any matching funding sources from other local governments, private entities, non-profits, or philanthropic entities for your project? | Yes |
| Please describe the source and list amounts of any other funding. | Job readiness training- State of Tennessee $10,000 Treatment and Recovery services - COSSAP Grant $30,000 Overdose Awareness and Prevention Training - funded by the State of Tennessee- $50,000 Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist - funded by the State of TN - $78,000 Naloxone (medication that reverses an opioid overdose- funded by the State of Tennessee - $300,000 Prevention Programs - State of Tennessee and Drug Free Communities Grant (federal) - $225,000 Care Coordinator - State of Tennessee funds Furniture donations will apply for additional grant funds for the project |
| What portion of the project are you asking the city to fund? | The HC Coalition is requesting $800,000 for Nu-Start Supportive Housing Initiative. This will allow for the purchase and renovation of a multi-family dwelling for individuals who are unhoused and returning from treatment a safe, supportive drug free environment to continue on the road to recovery. |
| If funded, when would your project start? | April 1, 2022 |
| How long would your project take to complete? | 12 months |
| What milestones would you use to measure your project’s progress? | 1-3 months: Continue working with Reginald Ruff, SSR and Associates and Amos Matthews from Keller Williams to identify property suitable for the housing initiative. Purchase property. Begin Renovation. Recruit and Hire Consultant: Care Coordinator to assist future residents with recovery and social services supports. Coordinator also identifying funding streams and donations for household and furniture. Meet with Community Stakeholders. Expand current Nu-Start program supports to include stable housing supports. 3-6 months: Continue renovation. Attend community outreach events, Host focus group meetings with neighborhood and faith based groups, Provide education and awareness about the Housing Initiative. Identify and secure additional funding streams for the program. 6-9 months: Complete renovation. Refer potential residents to treatment. Implement Recovery support services and social services. Recruit potential residents. Implement training for residents. Work with Nu-Start Program to identify rental assistance to support new tenants. 9-12 months: Evaluate services and supports, determine number of individuals placed in treatment, number who received vaccinations, number who moved in the Nu-Start House. Number of residents who successfully transition from inpatient services to supportive living. |
| How would you ensure accountability and transparency throughout the project lifecycle? | The Hamilton County Coalition has received state and federal funding since 2006. The HC Coalition is monitored by both state and federal grantors. If awarded, the HC Coalition will provide reports about our activities and governance to the City of Chattanooga. Our fiscal and program duties are separate and processes have are in place to ensure that reporting is accurate, complete and made available in a timely way. We will ensure financial transparency providing timely, meaningful and reliable disclosures about our Agency's financial performance. According to the 2022 external audit of the Hamilton County Coalition had no findings. |
| If successful, how would your project benefit the community? | Reduce homelessness Increase stable, drug free housing Increase individuals ability to stay in Recovery and improve healthy, productive lifestyles Reduce recidivism and relapse Increase skills and gainful employment |
| How will you attract community buy-in for your project? | The Coalition already has buy in for the project. Our membership and community partners recognize the need for stable, supportive housing for individuals returning from treatment. |
| Name | Robert Schreane |
| Contact Information | 423-421-4594 |
| Is there anything else you would like us to know about your project? | |