SOLUTIONS
3204 E. Magnolia Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37914
865-523-8009
fax 865-523-8083
jay@tn-solutions.org
Newsletter
(PDF format)
Solutions is a member of
History
Solutions began in 1982 as Solutions to Indigent Care in Knoxville (SICK). Knox County officials were trying to eliminate the county's four-million dollar indigent health care program. Representatives of 13 community based organizations met and saw the need for a new organization to lead the campaign to save the program. This first battle proved successful, and the organization evolved from a single-issue to a multiissue agenda. After changing the name to Solutions to Issues of Concern to Knoxvillians, the organization tackled on won many other battles.
In 1983 solutions blocked the closing of 5 inner-city fire halls.
Solutions prevented rate increases by South Central Bell in 1983 and 1985.
Solutions was responsible for more than 30% of Knox County's registered voters in 1984 through a massive registration effort.
Solutions was the critical force behind the rerouting of hazardous waste trucks around the inner city in 1985.
In 1986, Solutions initiated Knoxville's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance.
In 1988 Solutions worked with other community groups around the country to preserve a federal program that distributed free cheese, peanut butter, and other food commodities.
Solutions helped to plan and develop the Interfaith Health Clinic, which opened in 1990.
In 1991, Solutions began to coordinate the statewide campaign to improve timely access to prenatal care.1996 Solutions joined with community groups statewide in a successful effort to modify the Families First welfare reforms and stop temporary employment agencies from profiting under the new system. We are continuing efforts to make the concerns of people using the welfare services a part of the reform process. More recent accomplishments include:
-adding regulations governing Families First, requiring the state to inform welfare recipients of their rights to child care and transportation;
-winning a commitment from the Department of Human services to include our full listing of rights in the Families First handbook;
-coordination gatherings of state welfare allies to strengthen ties, develop a common agenda, and build state power to impact welfare policy;
-pressuring the Governor's administration to add over $6 million to the Families First budget for improvements in childcare in 1998 and $15 million for improvements in transportation in 1999;
-got an amendment added that allow employees the choice, whenever possible, of jobs that offer health benefits and a chance for self-sufficiency.
