Workforce Nutrition Programs in Tennessee Communities
GrantID: 74114
Grant Funding Amount Low: $150,000
Deadline: Ongoing
Grant Amount High: $150,000
Summary
Explore related grant categories to find additional funding opportunities aligned with this program:
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Grant Overview
Tennessee’s workforce constraints in community nutrition education stem from limited numbers of registered dietitians willing to serve non-metropolitan counties and the absence of dedicated nutrition staff within most county health departments outside the four major urban centers. The state’s 95 counties contain 29 counties designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas for nutrition services. Existing Cooperative Extension personnel carry caseloads exceeding 400 families per educator.
These constraints appear most acutely in the Cumberland Plateau and West Tennessee Delta counties where obesity rates exceed 42 percent and median household income falls below $42,000. Local health councils report difficulty retaining staff because salary scales lag behind neighboring states.
The grant addresses readiness by requiring funded projects to create standardized training modules that can be delivered by existing extension agents and community health workers without advanced degrees. Projects must demonstrate a plan to transition program delivery to local staff within 24 months.
Tennessee requires explicit coordination with the Tennessee Department of Health’s regional offices rather than direct university contracting, a requirement not present in Kentucky or Arkansas.
Workforce Gaps in Tennessee Nutrition Programs
The University of Tennessee Extension currently employs 187 family and consumer sciences agents statewide. Only 31 hold credentials in medical nutrition therapy. This distribution leaves 47 counties without routine access to evidence-based dietary counseling.
Infrastructure Constraints Across Tennessee Regions
Broadband access below 100 Mbps affects 28 percent of rural Tennessee households, limiting delivery of virtual nutrition classes. Successful applicants must therefore budget for printed materials and in-person group sessions in addition to any digital components.
Readiness Requirements for Tennessee Applicants
Entities must provide letters of commitment from at least two county mayors or health council chairs confirming meeting space availability. Budgets require a line item for travel reimbursement at the state rate of $0.58 per mile. Projects that fail to include these elements are returned without review.
Eligible Regions
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Eligible Requirements
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