Community Outreach

Community Outreach

The ETSU Center for Community Outreach serves as the Families First, Fatherhood Connection Initiative, Family Focused Solutions, and Healthy Careers Provider for the State of Tennessee. 

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Families First

Families First, the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, is a workforce development and employment program. This program is temporary, with a primary focus on gaining self-sufficiency through employment. Families First helps participants to reach this goal by providing temporary cash assistance, transportation, child care assistance, educational supports, job training, employment activities, and other support services.  




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Family Focused Solutions

The ETSU Center for Community Outreach serves as the Family Focused Solutions Provider for thirty-four counties in the Northeast, East, and Southeast Regions in Tennessee. This is a grant program that is funded and under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Human Services.  We help Families First participants overcome barriers and build a better life for themselves and their children. 

Each of the thirty-four counties is provided access to individual and family counseling, case management services, and linkage to community resources to help the whole family move forward.  Workshops are also provided on such topics as financial education, parenting skills, life skills, social capital, and mindfulness. Family Focused Solutions counselors are professionals who have experience working with a variety of issues that impact individuals and families, such as mental health issues, domestic violence, substance abuse, child behavioral issues, and learning issues. Our staff also has specialized training in 2Gen practices, trauma-informed care, brain science, and executive functioning skills. 

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Healthy Careers

Healthy Careers is a partnership between ETSU and Blue Care TN, funded by the Department of Human Services.  Together, we have created a workforce program designed to assist income-eligible clients with employment in healthcare with private healthcare providers. This partnership allows income-eligible candidates to become employed in entry-level jobs to achieve self-sufficiency. The goal is for customers to work their way up the career ladder and maintain employment. ETSU staff utilizes holistic case management services to help customers identify and remove barriers while providing various supports. This program is offered in the Southeast Tennessee region, with an office in Chattanooga.

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Fatherhood Connection Initiative


Fathers play a critical role in their children’s and family’s success. This program aims to foster influential growth and enhance positive father-child connections through meaningful experiences. At the same time, the ETSU Fatherhood Connection Initiative will help foster a more widespread recognition of fathers and their critical role in our community.