State Representative Hill proposed funding bill for Isaiah 117 House

A prominent nonprofit in Carter County is starting to attract attention in state legislatures, as representatives from Carter County discuss ways of providing state funds towards certain efforts.

Tennessee Representative Timothy Hill is in the process of proposing a bill that would provide a “funding mechanism” for Carter County’s Isaiah 117 House.

The proposal, House Bill 516, discusses an alternative use for the funds received from fines the state collects.

“I was approached about increasing the fines for violating orders of protection (restraining orders),” Hill said. “The second half of the bill is to decide where the money goes, and I could think of no better place for it to go.”

The organization is not a state-wide program right now, so Hill said he has a plan for counties without one.

“A county that does not have an Isaiah House will direct the money to court-appointed special advocates,” Hill said.

Ronda Paulson, the center’s director, said this was proof state legislature is starting to take the organization seriously.

“Even if the bill does not pass, legislators already think we are going to be a state-wide program,” Paulson said.

Less than a year old, the Isaiah 117 House is a program that works alongside the Department of Children’s Services.

“When children are pulled from homes, they are traumatized,” Paulson said. “They do not want to leave, regardless of the reasons why they had to, they are not allowed to bring a lot of possessions and they have to sit in a conference room to await their fate.”

She said these children do not deserve to sit in a room and be forgotten.

With the Isaiah 117 House, these children instead go to a real house with furniture, food and clothing.

“We wanted a place where children would be loved on,” Paulson said. “Our goals are to reduce trauma, to work alongside DCS and their jobs and to ease the transition for their future parents.”

She said the organization’s growth has surprised her, but running the organization has shown her the value of her work.

“When we started, I thought we were exposing how children have no rights,” she said. “How can a little boy sit in the DCS office for days?”

Currently, the Isaiah 117 House receives no state funding beyond a handful of grants, relying instead on contributions from the community to get things done. Hill’s bill represents a change in the organization’s prominence, and Paulson said they are continuing to grow.

Currently, the Isaiah 117 House is looking into expanding into Sullivan, Washington, Green and Bradley counties, as well as Evansville, Ind.

Paulson said local support, both inside and outside the capital building, keeps the organization afloat.

“Carter County has really taken ownership of this house,” she said. “We get lots of support from schools and churches. Children will give us their birthday money.”

There is no set date for a vote on this bill yet, though Hill said it should come to a vote in the coming weeks.

SportsPlus

Local news

Carter voters overwhelmingly back Trump, Blackburn, Harshbarger

Local news

Tri-Cities area McDonald’s honoring veterans with free meals

Church News

Houses of worship, other nonprofits may apply for federal assistance

Local news

Holly defeats Murray Smith in municipal judge election

Local news

Hill reelected to 3rd District state House seat

Local news

Lewis, two incumbents elected to city school board  

Local news

Newcomer Gouge, incumbents Birchfield, Treadway win City Council seats

Local news

Carter County releases disaster assistance resources weekly update

Local news

Waiting to vote

Arrests

Carter County Sheriff’s Office reports arrests

Arrests

Elizabethton Police Department Arrests

Local news

A Life Lived: Shirrell Bowers’ most valuable treasures in life were family, old friends

Local news

Carter County Commission votes to apply for $4 million loan for debris removal

Local news

TN’s community colleges and TCATs launch 26th annual Food Drive Challenge

Local news

TVA releases Helene data; Watauga Dam breaks previous record by 3 feet

Local news

Delayed opening of Johnson, Washington County Disaster Recovery Centers

Arrests

Unicoi man arrested on multiple charges, including felony drug possession

Local news

Tennessee gas prices fall as seasonal decline continues

Local news

VFW Post 2166 and Auxiliary to host food distribution for veterans and families

Local news

City of Elizabethton offices to close for Veterans Day; Garbage collection schedule adjusted

Local news

Kick off the holidays in Downtown Elizabethton

Local news

Mountain Aid a night of music and hope for Appalachia

Local news

Hampton & Watauga Lodges to host Thanksgiving Dinner

Local news

The Salvation Army seeks support for Red Kettle Campaign