Episode #5
The UT Impact: How the UT SMART Initiative Helps Tennessee Communities Navigate the Opioid Epidemic Across the State
In this episode of Tennessee County Voice , host Wes Doyle sits down with Jennifer Tourville, Executive Director of the UT SMART Initiative, to explore how the program is helping Tennessee's 95 counties navigate one of the state's most pressing public health challenges: the opioid crisis. Jennifer traces SMART's origins back to a statewide summit launched under UT System President Randy Boyd, explaining how a grassroots policy network evolved into a full-fledged initiative housed within the Institute for Public Service — chosen for its unmatched reach into every county and municipality across the state. The conversation digs into the practical side of the work county officials care about most: Funding structure — how SMART operates through grants, contracts, and partnerships rather than state appropriation, including its role administering technical assistance funded by the Opioid Abatement Council Settlement fund management — the complex rules, restrictions, and reporting requirements tied to opioid settlement dollars, and why "spend money to save lives" should guide every decision Building local committees — real examples of how counties are bringing together sheriffs, EMS directors, school officials, physicians, and nonprofit leaders to make funding recommendations that reflect community needs Getting help — how any county official can reach SMART directly through CTAS consultants or a simple email, and where to find additional resources like the Johns Hopkins spending principles and NACO's Opioid Solutions Leadership Network For more information about the SMART Initiative at IPS, please visit https://smart.ips.tennessee.edu/. ©️ 2026 Tennessee County Services Association For more information, visit www.tncounties.org
