Jackson, TN: May 29, 2026 — A program led by West Tennessee Healthcare is receiving national
recognition for making a life-changing impact across rural West Tennessee communities.
The hospital’s “Collaborating to Address Homelessness” initiative was recently highlighted
nationally for its innovative approach to reducing homelessness across a 23-county region
spanning nearly 10,000 square miles. The program has helped drive a nearly 70% reduction in
homelessness across the service area between 2007 and 2024.
For leaders at West Tennessee Healthcare, the recognition reflects years of collaboration focused
on caring for people beyond the walls of the hospital.
“We want to take care of people beyond the four walls of this hospital to the extent we can. We do
things that are uncommonly good for our communities,” said Tina Prescott, President and CEO of
West Tennessee Healthcare. “Programs like this are about meeting people where they are and
helping connect them to resources, support, and hope.”
The initiative includes more than 30 community partner agencies working together through the
region’s Continuum of Care, established through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD). The collaboration supports housing assistance, outreach services, case
management, substance abuse treatment connections, and long-term follow-up care.
One of the program’s most recognized tools is the Community Connection Card…a brightly
colored handout packed with contact information for services and agencies across West Tennessee.
The cards are distributed through hospitals, schools, law enforcement agencies, health
departments, and community organizations, helping connect vulnerable individuals with critical
resources quickly.
“These cards have become one of the most requested resources in our region,” said Vicki Lake,
Director of the Community Health Institute at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. “It’s a
simple idea, but it helps people find real support when they need it most.”
The program also utilizes eight housing navigators throughout West Tennessee who assist
individuals with prevention services, street outreach, housing placement, case management, and
ongoing support.
Another key component of the program’s success has been grant funding support for community
agencies. Since 1995, Lake has helped secure approximately $171 million in grant funding
benefiting regional partners and programs focused on homelessness and housing stability.
Hospital leaders say the recognition belongs to the many agencies, organizations, and individuals
across West Tennessee who work together daily to support vulnerable populations.
“This honor really speaks to the heart of what makes our communities special,” Prescott said.
“When organizations come together with compassion and a shared purpose, lives can truly be
changed.”
Today, among the nearly 2,100 individuals served through the program in 2024, only 3.5%
returned to homelessness after one year, reflecting the program’s long-term impact across the
region.
