Blount County Community Action Agency
NEW JOB POSTING: Benefits Eligibility Specialist – See PROGRAMS page for full job description
Blount County Community Action has served our neighbors since 1965. We are proud of the help we can provide our most vulnerable citizens and the support our work does to the local economy. Through a variety of programs including; SMiles, Benefits Enrollment Center (Savings CheckUp), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance, Meals on Wheels and others we serve Blount County.
Many of our wonderful clients, staff, family members and volunteers are in the highest risk group to be negatively impacted by infectious illnesses. In our commitment to keep our community safe, while continuing to be a place to turn during times of need, the Blount County Community Action Agency will, until further notice, be following the recommendations of public health guidance to reduce risk of on the COVID-19 virus. This change will affect the way we meet with you and some of the services that require significant points of contact, such as our transportation services.
Please see below for specific information:
COMMUNITY: Until further notice, we will not be able to provide drop-in support or scheduling of any onsite, in person appointments. We will be conducting all support by telephone or email and will have isolated, secure drop-boxes, if you are instructed to provide paperwork. Our agency doors will be secure and unable to be open to the public. Please do not make a trip to our building, unless instructed to drop off paperwork in the two drop off areas.
For all services, please first call 865-983-8411 and listen to the message extension information to quickly get you to the staff/program that will be able to help you. If you are instructed to leave a message, please do so. Our staff are ready to work diligently to support you and will return your call as soon as possible. Our staff is also available to be contacted by email. The email contact information is on our website, www.blountcaa.org. From our HOME PAGE, scroll to the bottom and select STAFF. The specific programs and Director’s email will be under this section.
We recognize that during this elevated time, many more individuals, families and caregivers may find themselves in positions of lacking resources for daily living. We are here for you.
VOLUNTEERS: We are called the VOLUNTEER STATE for a reason! We continue to be so proud of the folks who step forward to give of their time, energy and spirit, especially to help those who need an extra hand. Even in this time of precautionary isolation, we still need you to stand ready. We are anticipating that many of our seniors and programs will need additional supports. If you are able to volunteer if needed, please email Tammye Pirie at tpirie@blountcaa.org , she will be in contact with you. We do anticipate that we may have some high capacity limits on our current telephone system. Respectfully, please email instead of calling to offer to volunteer, in efforts to support that our telephone lines are available to best serve our clients in need. Thank you for your incredible support.
DONATIONS: In times of crisis, we often experience many unanticipated needs and capacity strains on our current programs. Only through the financial support of our incredible community, businesses and foundations are we able to step into a gap or bridge a need to our struggling neighbors. BCCAA is a nonprofit entity operating solely from grant funding and donations. If you are able and would like to support our agency financially at any amount, please do not hesitate to utilize the secure platform on our website under DONATE, or by the mail to the attention of Tammye Pirie, Executive Director at Blount County Community Action Agency at 3509 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37803. Please make checks out to Blount County Community Action Agency. If you would also like to discuss additional supports, please do not hesitate to email Tammye Pirie at tpirie@blountcaa.org . Thank you for your generous hearts.
2018 AGENCY HIGHLIGHTS
About Us
What is Community Action?
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) promote self-sufficiency and support individuals and families striving to become economically secure while investing in the future of their local communities. This national network of 1060 agencies, funded in part by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), serves approximately 7 million families, totaling 16 million low-income persons each year. More than two-thirds have incomes at or below the federal poverty guideline.
CAAs address causes of poverty, not the symptoms, which means that:
• CAAs work to ensure their community offers everyone opportunities to become economically secure, and
• They invest in individuals and their families who are striving to develop their skills.
Local Control
The vast majority of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are private non-profits, but some are agencies of local or county government. Both types of CAAs are locally-based organizations with a longstanding community presence, a community-selected governing board and transparent management systems.
CSBG requires local and state plans to address community improvements by:
• Supporting greater civic participation
• Developing “grassroots” public-private partnerships
• Funding innovative community-based initiatives
• Establishing better linkages among government programs
Place Based Solutions
Local control allows communities to assess their own needs and prescribe place-based solutions. Local plans for using CSBG funds must reflect a well-conceived strategy for ameliorating poverty; that strategy must include approaches and activities chosen from those listed in the CSBG Act which the local agency leaders deem to be necessary and effective for their community:
The list includes services that address family and individual needs including:
• Lack of employment and education
• Better income management
• Better housing
• Sound nutrition
• Emergency services
• Health Care services
Information provided by the National Community Action Foundation.
Public Sector
Grady Caskey
Fred Metz
Bob Ramsey
Tom Stinnett – Chair
Tanya Martin
Low-Income Sector
Betsy Norton – Secretary
Jeff Barbra
Peggy Campbell
Rosa Tellis
Marjorie Stewart
Private Sector
Debbie Sudhoff
Rob Britt
Bill Brewer
Melanie Davis
Bryan Sandmeier
Executive Director
Tammye Pirie
tpirie@blountcaa.org
Community Services Program Director
Mitzi Long
mlong@blountcaa.org
Community Services Staff:
Linda Kirkland
Kristi Cochran
Judy Ferguson
Amanda Cooper
Tisha Byrd
Senior Nutrition Director
Lynnda Manville
lmanville@blountcaa.org
Senior Nutrition Staff:
Sheila Sutton
Violet Ross
Renee Jennings
Charlotte Douglas
Barbara Shropeshire
Scott Holliway
Accounting Director
Paige King
pking@blountcaa.org
Office on Aging Director
Joani Shaver
jshaver@blountcaa.org
SMiles Manager
Linda Crawford
lcrawford@blountcaa.org.
Benefits Enrollment Center Manager (Savings CheckUp)
Teresa O’Mary
tomary@blountcaa.org
