Shelby County Health Department wins data, opioid and HIV grants; mobile clinic and vending machines funded

The Shelby County Health Department reported multiple incoming grants and program actions during the April 8 commission meeting that expand data capability, treatment access and harm-reduction services.

Casey Smith Alexander, deputy director, said the county accepted a $125,000 American Public Health Association award to build an "injury and violence prevention data science demonstration" that will centralize and automate homicide, suicide and emergency department datasets and create a public-facing dashboard. Alexander said the project includes purchase of a high-capacity analysis workstation (about $40,000) and outside informatics guidance for natural language processing and machine-learning tools.

Lori Brooks, deputy division director for health services, described acceptance of a Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council grant totaling $2,999,921, with $261,527 appropriated in FY2026. Brooks said the award will add an epidemiologist and fund three additional outdoor 24/7 naloxone/fentanyl-strip vending machines in the downtown, medical district and Whitehaven, plus supplies for those devices.

The commission also approved multiple Ryan White Part A and EHE subrecipient contracts to fund clinical and supportive services for people with HIV. Brooks told commissioners the grants are aimed at priority populations (newly diagnosed, out-of-care or not virally suppressed) and asked the commission to approve contracts to nonprofit and clinic partners. Commissioners asked Health staff to provide a zip-code/service-area map showing where the subrecipients operate and how their services align with priority neighborhoods; Health staff agreed to provide that mapping.

Health staff also received approval to purchase a 2025 Ford E‑450 customized mobile van (grant-funded, not to exceed $216,000) to deliver STI/HIV testing, prevention and treatment services in underserved areas.

"This project will strengthen Shelby County's capacity to identify injury and violence through modernized data systems," Alexander said. Lori Brooks added that EHE-funded services will "reach priority populations and address barriers such as stigma and housing instability."