State Building Commission Backs New Moccasin Bend Mental Hospital Despite Chattanooga Opposition

The State Building Commission Is Plowing Ahead With Construction Of A New Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute In Chattanooga In Spite Of Concerns About A Potential Clash With Native Americans And A National Park Plan.

Read more

Legislators Urged To Reject Medicaid Waiver And Make Gender Affirming Counseling Unlawful For Minors

Empowered Jefferson Is Making An Urgent Petition To Tennessee Legislators To Reject Any Bill Or Amendment That Would Create A Waiver For Medicaid Funds To Be Used For Mental Health Services, Especially School-Based Mental Health Services And Gender Affirming Counseling.

Read more

Project RAISE Putting 300+ Mental Health Providers In Rural Tennessee Public Schools This Year

Project RAISE Plans To Put More Than Three Hundred Mental Health Providers In Public Schools In Rural Tennessee Over The Next Five Years. Funded By Nearly $14 Million In Federal Grants, The Initiative Is Part Of President Biden’s “Investing In America” Agenda.

Read more

With A Distinct Focus On Mental Health, Local And State Elected Officials Are Attempting To Capitalize On Opportunities During Special Session

As Governor Bill Lee’s Special Session Approaches, Bills Are Being Filed, And Local And State Officials Are Looking To Seize On The Opportunity To Capitalize The Event For The Use Of Projects That They Otherwise May Not Have Gotten Adequate Support For.

Read more

Newly Filed Special Session Bills Take Aim At School Handgun Carry Policies, Making Minors’ Autopsy Reports Private, Mental Health & Creating Felony Charges For Coercion

Newly Filled Tennessee Special Session Bills Focus In On Topics Ranging From Handgun Carry Policies For Private Schools, Redirecting State Funds For Psychiatric Services, Specifying What Kinds Of Autopsy Reports Are Public Documents, Reporting Requirements For Mental Health Professionals, A Loan Repayment Program For Mental Health Professionals, And Creating A Class D Felony For Anyone Who Coerces A Minor To Steal Firearms Or Commit Certain Crimes Using Firearms.

Read more

Special Session Promises An Expansion Of Tennessee Government Power

In The Upcoming Special Session, Governor Bill Lee Will Propose An Itemized Agenda That He Says Will Address The “Mental Health Crisis.” However, The Tennessee Government Does Not Have The Best Track Record In Making Decisions That Result In Positive Outcomes When Addressing Mental Health.

Read more

TN Legislature GOP Leaders Say “No Gun Laws Will Be Passed” in Gov. Lee’s Special Session

After Months Of Speculation As To What The General Assembly May Do During Governor Lee’s Special Session, Top GOP Leaders Say That They Will Not Give Consideration To Proposed Gun Laws.

Read more

Governor Lee Makes Official Call For Special Legislative Session

Governor Bill Lee Has Finally Officially Made The Call For A Special Legislative Session To Begin On August 21st.

Read more

Mental Health Funding, TennCare Coverage Waiver Are Special Session Priorities

When A Special Session On Public Safety Begins Aug. 21, Gov. Bill Lee Will Call For Increased Spending To Help Grow And Retain Mental Health Professionals In The State Along With Requesting Matching Federal Funds For Medicaid To Cover Mental Health And Substance Use Disorders.

Read more