A new substance abuse treatment locator website from the Tennessee Department of Health is available today at FindHelpNowTN.org. This site links individuals directly to care and help if they are struggling with a substance use disorder.
“There is an immediate, critical point, where those struggling with substance abuse and misuse are absolutely ready to receive help,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Ralph Alvarado, MD, FACP. ‘’Unfortunately, this point is often at the height of crisis. The FindHelpNowTN.org website puts addiction and treatment resources within immediate reach, in real-time, when individuals and families don’t know where to turn.”
FindHelpNowTN.org guides individuals to location-based openings and services available at substance use treatment facilities. Site users can search facility listings using up to 60 different features such as the type of treatment needed, insurance programs, payment methods and availability of wrap-around services.
Treatment facilities on FindHelpNowTN.org regularly update their availability of residential, in-patient, and out-patient services. Since site users also can access a facility’s contact information, they can reach out immediately for treatment.
Facilities on the site are asked to update the availability of their residential, in-patient, and out-patient services regularly to ensure the most current information is available.
“Individuals and their loved ones facing substance abuse disorder have much to endure in finding a way out of addiction,“ said Director Amy Murawski of TDH’s Overdose Response Coordination Office. “Our hope is for FindHelpNowTN.org to be a source to find relief in an extremely exhausting and immensely stressful situation.”
Currently, 243 Tennessee facilities have listings on FindHelpNowTN.org and TDH is working with community partners, providers, and stakeholders to include more facilities on the site.
The launch of FindHelpNowTN.org is the result of a partnership between TDH, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Tennessee Tech University’s iCube program and TAADAS (TN Association of Alcohol, Drug and Other Addiction Services).
FindHelpNowTN.orgworks in cooperation with TDMHSAS’s Tennessee Redline at 1-800-889-9789, a 24/7/365 resource for substance treatment referrals via phone call or text message.
“Tennessee is blessed with a wealth of substance use treatment resources, and we continue to look for ways to expand options for people even if they have little or no means to pay for it,” said Linda McCorkle, TDMHSAS Director of Treatment and Recovery Services. “We know that treatment works and recovery is real, so we’re excited to have another resource in our state to connect people and families with the help they so desperately need.”
Throughout the month of March, the Tennessee Department of Education invites all Tennesseans to celebrate Tennessee Literacy Month, spotlighting the Reading 360 initiative and the focus Tennessee’s educators, families, elected officials, and community partners have on improving literacy rates for all learners in the state.
Celebrations began last week as classrooms and teachers across America and in Tennessee celebrated Dr. Seuss’s great legacy with Reading Across America Week, February 27-March 3. Using the hashtag #TNReadingForALL and #ReadLikeRiley, Tennesseans can engage on social media throughout the month to learn about at-home resources and engage in why they support literacy.
Last month, the department received engagement from over 850 district and school leaders, teachers, community partners, and education preparation providers (EPPs) during the Reading 360 Virtual Summit, held February 9-10. During the Summit, participants shared their experiences and best practices on implementing high-quality instructional materials and foundational skills instruction and preparing teachers for literacy instruction. A combined 99.4% of the Summit participants rated the Summit as “above average” and “average;” 98.9% reported “my knowledge on the topic increased and the instructional materials provided were high quality,” and 98.4% shared “I have identified next steps toward my work.”
Additional resources for families can be accessed on Best for All Central at Family Resources and Literacy Resources for Families. To access additional resources on Reading 360, click here.