by NANCY PEACE, Community Outreach / Resource Development Manager
Tuesday, August 4, 2009 4:30 pm

COOKEVILLE – The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) is receiving additional funding in the amount of $1,239,054.00 for the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) Program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“We are pleased to receive much needed funding to help people in the Upper Cumberland in every way possible as they strive to get and maintain jobs, have money for food, housing and other basic necessities for maintaining a family, and as they try to stay healthy,” stated Phyllis Bennett, Executive Director, Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency.

According to the program guidelines, the funding will allow individuals that meet the income guidelines, for example a family of four would be able to make $44,000 annual income or $3,675 per month, to participate in the five different program areas as follows:

assistance will be available to enhance the securing and retaining of meaningful employment; nutrition services will be available to counteract conditions of starvation and malnutrition among low-income individuals; emergency services will address immediate and urgent family and individual needs; the housing category will assist in obtaining or maintaining adequate housing and a suitable living environment; and health services will address the elimination of disease, injury and malnutrition that are not paid for by other sources.

“During these difficult economic times, the CSBG program has received more calls for helping individuals that has ever been experienced by the Agency,” according to Lee Webb, Community Services Director, Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency.

Low income and individuals that meet the eligibility requirements may learn more about the program by contacting the Cannon County UCHRA Office located at 301 West Main Street, Adams Memorial Building, Room 302, 615-563-2916.

“I believe the services provided through this program will help the people in DeKalb County and the other counties in the Upper Cumberland Area as they work through difficult financial times. The Upper Cumberland Area is fortunate to have the UCHRA staff in each of the counties to work with the local people to access much needed services,” stated Mike Foster, DeKalb County Executive and Chairman, UCHRA Board of Directors.