TOP PHOTO: Campbell United met Thursday at noon at TCAT Jacksboro. The county’s anti-drug coalition has been awarded a $50,000 grant to be used for the Correctional Career Pathways Program.

Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- At last Thursday’s Campbell United meeting, coalition organizer Trent Coffey made the “exciting announcement” that Campbell County’s drug coalition will receive $50,000 in grant funds to use for the Correctional Career Pathways program.

Correctional Career Pathways “gives current inmates the ability to obtain employment with a local company,” according to Coffey, who said the grant would be of great benefit to the county.

“The program provides funds to obtain Photo ID, Birth Certificate, and Social Security Card, all of which are required to obtain a job, Fines, fees, cost, restitution, and child support are paid monthly in hopes that the participant comes out of jail debt free with a current Job,” Coffey said.

The Correctional Career Pathways program also “assists in setting up a bank account and a savings account for the individual and provides job skills training and mental health support services.”

The grant is being provided through the East Tennessee State University’s Tennessee Institute of Public Health through a federal grant provided through the Appalachian Reginal Commission (ARC.)

TCAT Jacksboro President and Campbell United Board Chair Debbie Petree, Campbell County 2nd District Constable Darryl Chapman and Campbell United Director Charlsa Honeycutt at Thursday’s Campbell United anti-drug coalition meeting held at TCAT Jacksboro.

According to ETSU, “the Correctional Career Pathways: Journey to Hope model program was established at the Greene County, Tennessee Workhouse in 2015 and has gained state and national acclaim for innovation and sustainability. The CCP program is led by a local multi-sector leadership team to give criminal offenders the opportunity to break the cycle of arrest and incarceration and transition successfully into the workforce. The program offers classes, job placement, counseling and transportation to qualified inmates. After instruction in life skills and special training, trustee inmates join the local workforce. A percentage of earnings is set aside to pay court-ordered costs, fees and restitution, while the remainder is placed in individual accounts for participating trustee inmates.”

The Tennessee Institute of Public Health at ETSU just recently announced the expansion of the Correctional Career Pathways Program.

Campbell County is receiving a $50,000 grant for one year, according to Coffey, who said there “has been great success seen in this initiative across the state and the country.”

The Tennessee Institute of Public Health (TNIPH) at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is “pleased to announce the Correctional Career Pathways (CCP) Replication and Expansion Model funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in partnership with the ETSU College of Public Health, East Tennessee Foundation and the Niswonger Foundation. This grant opportunity offers funding, leadership and a framework to replicate/adapt the Greene County CCP program in qualified counties in Appalachian Tennessee.”

The grant process was competitive, and Campbell County was one of three chosen and received the max amount of $50,000. Counties eligible to apply for the grant included Bledsoe, Campbell, Clay, Cocke, Fentress, Grundy, Hancock, Jackson, Morgan, Scott and Van Buren. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-10/15/2024-6AM)

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