Blog Archives
Williamson County Health Department Moving COVID-19 Vaccine Operations to Franklin Clinic
Beginning Monday, August 2nd, the Williamson County Health Department will permanently
move COVID-19 vaccine operations from 1405-A Brookwood Avenue to the Franklin Clinic
located at 1324 W. Main Street. Vaccinations will be available Monday – Friday from 1:00 pm
to 3:00 pm for appointments and walk-ins.
For further information about hours of operations, please visit
http://www.williamsonready.org/341/Health-Department-Vaccine-Distribution
Tennesseans age 12 and up are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals seeking a
COVID-19 vaccine may schedule an appointment at vaccinate.tn.gov or search
vaccinefinder.org to find a local vaccine provider in Williamson or surrounding counties.
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the
health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at
http://www.tn.gov/health.
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Connect with TDH on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn @TNDeptofHealth
More than 1,300+ organizations, brands, government agencies and cultural leaders join together for first-ever Mental Health Action Day
Largest cross-sector effort to shift from mental health awareness to mental health action organized in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing trauma of systemic racism
Learn more at www.MentalHealthActionDay.org
Franklin, TN – Today the Williamson County Public Library System and more than 1,300 organizations, brands, government agencies and cultural leaders will participate in the inaugural Mental Health Action Day to drive the conversation from mental health awareness to mental health action. Convened by MTV Entertainment Group, Mental Health Action Day is an open-source movement, aimed at motivating people to take action to get mental health support — whether for themselves, their loved ones or for everyone by advocating for systemic changes for mental health access and equity.
Mental Health Action Day comes at a critical time. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a disproportionate toll on the mental health and well-being of people of color, young people and LGBTQ+ communities. Studies have found:
- Four in 10 adults have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, compared to 1 in 10 before the pandemic.
- Fifty-six percent of young adults ages 18-24 reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression during the pandemic.
- 48% of Black people reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder during the pandemic versus 42% of all Adults and 40.9% of white people.
Communities of Color, who have experienced disparate impacts of COVID-19 and the ongoing trauma of systemic racism from police brutality to anti-Asian violence, are also facing greater mental health challenges than ever before, but continue to face challenges accessing mental health care.
The cross-sector collaboration calling attention to the great need for support and action to address mental health in the same way in which we treat physical health needs is ground breaking. From media and tech companies to nonprofits, consumer brands, government agencies and cultural leaders, the actions today are only the beginning. Coalition partners will host a series of activations ranging from public events featuring experts and activists to employee engagement activities, all with the goal of encouraging and empowering people to take an initial action, whether for themselves or others, to support their mental health needs.
“A year into the pandemic, as mental health struggles have skyrocketed, we brought together more than 1,300 partners to not only meet the moment but also drive a movement of action on a public health crisis that affects every one of us,” said Erika Soto-Lamb, Vice President of Social Impact Strategy at MTV Entertainment Group. “From storytelling to creating content, together we can shatter stigma and normalize the act of getting help for those who need it.”
“We recognize that the past year has been a struggle for everyone. Our hope is that this initiative will be the start of an ongoing change to move all of us in our community to to care for ourselves and each other. Our facilities provide resources such as books and online databases that can help with education and research into these issues. Plus the local resources like Find Hope Franklin provide a starting point for where else to go locally for assistance,” said Jeffie Nicholson, Adult Services Manager at the Main Library Branch.
A full list of partners as of May 20, 2021 is available here. Join one of the online events today:
- At 10 am PST | 1 pm EST, Headspace will host a live global meditation here on TikTok.
- At 1 pm EST, VS PINK and The Jed Foundation will host ‘Make Your Move Fest’ to encourage young adults to take action to support their mental health, including a fireside chat with high-profile Gen-Z artists and advocates speaking about emotional health challenges and opportunities and how they are coping and supporting each other.
- At 4 pm PST | 7 pm EST, The Mental Health Coalition will host mental health advocates Jeremy Fall and Yung Pueblo who will talk about finding the path to your superpower and share their own mental health journeys. The chat will be moderated by Keo Motsepe and Dr. Luana Marques President, Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) will join to share her professional mental health wisdom. Tune in and follow @mentalhealthcoalition to watch this special 121 Series.
- ALL DAY: Sound Mind Live, in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will host the 2021 Sound Mind Mental Health Music Festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds featuring All Time Low, Fitz & The Tantrums, Lovelytheband and more.
- ALL DAY: The Atlantic is holding a free, day-long event, In Pursuit of Happiness, to explore the human hold on happiness and ways to build a more meaningful life. The event features Arthur C. Brooks, Deepak Chopra, Angela Duckworth, spiritual leader T.D. Jakes, and a performance by the global company of Dear Evan Hanse
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About Mental Health Action Day
Mental Health Action Day is an open-source movement of brands, organizations, government agencies, and cultural leaders to drive culture from mental health awareness to mental health action. The first Mental Health Action Day will take place on May 20, 2021 with a mission to encourage and empower people to take their first actions on mental health — whether for themselves, for their loved ones or for their communities, because mental health is health. Learn more at MentalHealthIsHealth.us
National Library Week: April 2 – 10
This week, Williamson County Public Library encourages all community members to visit our website to explore and access virtual services and programs. WCPL offers a wide array of online resources that are available from the comfort of home, including Overdrive, the Overdrive app- Libby, and Hoopla.
April 4-10, 2021 is National Library Week, a time to highlight the essential role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities. The theme for this year’s National Library Week is “Welcome to your library,” which promotes the idea that libraries extend far beyond the four walls of a building and that everyone is welcome to use their services. Whether people visit virtually or in person, libraries are accessible and inclusive places that foster a sense of belonging and community through learning, discovery and exploration.
During these challenging times, libraries of all types have been going above and beyond to adapt to our changing world by expanding their resources and continuing to meet the needs of their patrons. Libraries across the country are making a difference in people’s lives by providing electronic learning resources like online homework help and wi-fi access for students and workers who may lack internet access at home. WCPL is supporting the community with virtual services such as book clubs, gardening programs, meditation programs, crafting tutorials, etc.
This National Library Week, the public can show their appreciation and support for libraries by visiting their library’s website, following them on social media and using the hashtag #NationalLibraryWeek.
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries of all types across the country each April.
For more information, visit wcpltn.org.
Press Release courtesy of The American Library Association
📝New Trivia Challenge!
Registration will open Monday, March 15, 2021 for our Fourth Virtual Trivia Challenge presented by Adult Services.
The topic for this challenge is General Knowledge;
the game will begin on March 23rd and end on March 30, 2021.
Join the game; get in on the challenges!
👉Book/Movie Quote Trivia **Registration Extended until March 3
Registration Extended until March 3!
The registration, on our Calendar of Events page, will be open until **March 3 ** (extended date) and the new challenge will also start on March 3, lasting until March 10. This trivia challenge will focus on quotations from books, usually made famous by the subsequent movie (“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn”).
Again, it will be structured as a self-paced challenge, using the Kahoot platform. The registration is open to 10 registrants, with a possible wait list. Each group of 10 will contend against each other and the challenge questions.
At the start of the challenge you will receive an email from the library with a link to the specific game in Kahoot.
This is your game link, you cannot share it.
You will not need to create an account in Kahoot, you just have to open the Kahoot game link in a browser, on any device – mobile, laptop or desktop. At the beginning of the game you must set up a nickname in Kahoot as an identifier. Try to use part of your name (three consecutive letters from your last name) so we are able award our winners and frequent participants.
This game will close after 7 days, on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.
For this game, the answer timer will be off (the timer that scores how quickly you answer the question); each correct answer will be worth 1000 points. There will be 30 seconds to respond for each question. You may pause your game after responding to a question and return to it at a later time, but you cannot go back to change a response.
Best of luck🍀
🌪Tennessee’s Severe Weather Awareness Week is February 28 to March 6, 2021
Severe Weather Awareness Week:
Be Prepared, Stay Alert, Get Involved
Tennessee’s Severe Weather Awareness Week is February 28 to March 6, 2021, and Williamson County Emergency Management is using this week to promote preparedness to Tennesseans.
“As we experienced over the last week with extreme winter weather, severe weather can impact our community at any time. It is important that we all be prepared, stay alert and get involved in our communities ahead of these types of events,” says Emergency Management Director Todd Horton.
NWS offices in Nashville are planning a series of education and training events, using each day of Severe Weather Awareness Week to focus on a different severe weather threat. Information on the NWS activities is available at weather.gov/ohx/swaw2021.
A highlight of the week will be the statewide tornado drill NWS will conduct at 9:30 a.m., CST, on Wed., Mar. 3, 2020. The drill will also include a statewide test of NOAA weather radios.
Residents should also sign up for the Williamson County Emergency Alert System. This system is shared between the County, Spring Hill, Fairview, Thompson’s Station, Nolensville, Franklin and Brentwood. The sign up is available here:
https://member.everbridge.net/3531635643383845/login
Some basic severe weather advice include:
➛ Never venture into high water, either on foot or in a vehicle.
➛ If you’re outside and hear thunder, go indoors immediately.
➛ Go to a basement or an innermost first floor room in your home if you’re told to take shelter during a tornado warning.
➛ Know the location of and route to your office or building’s tornado shelter if available.
➛ Emergency plans should include where to meet, and who family members should check in with if you are separated from each other during a severe weather emergency.
At a minimum, emergency preparedness kits should include one gallon of water per-day, per-person, and per-pet, for three to five days. The kit should also have enough non-perishable food for each family member and pet, for three to five days. Other items that every kit should include: flashlight, battery powered radio, extra batteries, first aid kit, personal hygiene items, cell phone charger or solar charger, copies of important family documents, and extra supplies of medications, especially for those with chronic health conditions.
Additional resources are available:
• ready.gov
• emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/disasters
• http://www.sba.gov/managing-business/running-business/emergency-preparedness
📚Virtual Trivia Challenge: Book/Movie Quotes🎞
We have kicked off our registration for a new virtual trivia challenge!
The registration, on our Calendar of Events page, will be open until March 1 and the new challenge will start on March 3, lasting until March 10. This trivia challenge will focus on quotations from books, usually made famous by the subsequent movie (“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn”).
Again, it will be structured as a self-paced challenge, using the Kahoot platform. The registration is open to 10 registrants, with a possible wait list. Each group of 10 will contend against each other and the challenge questions.
At the start of the challenge you will receive an email from the library with a link to the specific game in Kahoot.
This is your game link, you cannot share it.
You will not need to create an account in Kahoot, you just have to open the Kahoot game link in a browser, on any device – mobile, laptop or desktop. At the beginning of the game you must set up a nickname in Kahoot as an identifier. Try to use part of your name (three consecutive letters from your last name) so we are able award our winners and frequent participants.
This game will close after 7 days, on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.
For this game, the answer timer will be off (the timer that scores how quickly you answer the question); each correct answer will be worth 1000 points. There will be 30 seconds to respond for each question. You may pause your game after responding to a question and return to it at a later time, but you cannot go back to change a response.
Best of luck🍀
Vaccination Q and A with Hannah Bleam, Williamson County Public Information Officer, Recording
Are you wondering how to get on the signup list to get vaccinated? What phase are we in now? How to get called when it is your phase so you can schedule an appointment?
Hannah Bleam is the Williamson County Public Information Officer and she is joined by Todd Horton, Director of the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency to address these questions and more. Hannah shows how to find vaccination information on the Williamson Ready coronavirus website, explains the difference between the waiting list and vaccination appointments, and more. Both she and Director Horton then answer questions from the participants.
Our appreciate to both Ms. Bleam and Director Horton for taking the time to meet with us and answer our participants questions.
🖥VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON VITA TAX PREP ASSISTANCE
This year VITA is offering VIRTUAL tax assistance online and IN-PERSON tax assistance at 8 locations in Middle Tennessee for families earning less than $66,000 annually.
To schedule a VIRTUAL tax assistance appointment:
https://www.getyourrefund.org/en
To schedule an IN-PERSON tax assistance appointment:
https://www.volunteerforvita.org/tax-site-listings
or check the list below (it is the same list)
Please note that there are limited in-person openings available and
there may be closures for inclement weather.
Dial 2-1-1 or 615-830-7940 with questions
First Baptist Church **This site opens Feb 1 and closes April 10
(Dickson County) **By appointment only; call 615-806-1870
2501 Highway 70 East
Dickson, TN 37055
Hours: Monday 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm; Thursday 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm; Saturday 7:30 am to 2:30 pm
LaVergne Public Library **This site opens Feb 12 and closes April 11 (closed Apr 2 & 3)
(Rutherford County) **Appointments preferred, call 615-830-7940; walk-ins if time is available
5063 Murfreesboro Road
LaVergne, TN 37086
Hours: Friday and Saturday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm; Sunday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Marshall County Senior Center **This site opens Feb 10 and closes April 15
230 College Street, Suite 140 ** By appointment only; call 615-830-7940
Lewisburg, TN 37091
Hours: Wednesday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Patterson Park Community Center **This site opens Feb 10 and closes April 11
(Rutherford County) ** Appointments preferred, call 615-830-7940; walk-ins if time is available
521 Mercury Blvd
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; Saturday 9:30 am to 2:00 pm; and Sunday 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Smyrna Town Hall **This site opens Feb 13 and closes April 10
(Rutherford County) ** Appointments preferred, call 615-830-7940; walk-ins if time is available
315 South Lowry Street
Smyrna, TN 37167
Hours: Wednesday and Saturday 9:30 am to 2:00 pm
St. Luke’s Community House ** This site opens Feb 16 and closes April 15
(Davidson County) ** By appointment only; call 615-830-7940
5601 New York Avenue
Nashville, TN 37209
Hours: Monday and Wednesday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Westwood Baptist Church **This site opens Feb 8 and closes April 15
(Davidson County) ** Appointments preferred, call 615-830-7940; walk-ins if time is available
2510 Albion Street
Nashville, TN 37208
Hours: Monday and Thursday 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm; Saturday 9:30 am to 1:00 pm
April 15: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Woodbine Community Center **This site opens Feb 1 and closes April 15
(Davidson County) **THIS IS A DROP OFF, QUALITY REVIEW, PICK UP SITE
635 Spence Lane
Nashville, TN 37064
Drop off: Monday and Wednesday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; Quality Review and Pick-up: Friday and Saturday
Mayor’s Membership Challenge at Williamson County Public Library
Need a Library Card?
Join the Mayor’s Membership Challenge:
County Mayor Rogers Anderson has challenged the Williamson County Public Library to increase our community membership. This Membership Challenge kicks off on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 and continues through Sunday, May 30, 2021.
The Kickoff on the Library’s Not Just Books show via WC-TV’s Channel on YouTube.com will be available later this month.
Once you join the Library, you will be eligible to win one of three prizes! 1st Prize is a Nintendo Switch Lite, 2nd Prize is a $50 Visa Gift Card, and 3rd Prize is a $25 Visa Gift Card. Any new member of any age could win.
Prizewinners will be selected from new WCPL cardholders who join during the Mayor’s Membership Challenge period. The drawing will be held on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. via Facebook Live – Facebook.com/WCPLtn.
To be entered in the prize drawing, Williamson County residents can sign up for an eCard for 2 months of digital access, get their first library card, or visit a local branch for a physical library card for in-person materials. Digital access is provided for 2 months after which patrons must visit an branch library with proof of residency for a library card. For more information on benefits and requirements, please contact your local WCPL branch.
The WCPL has six convenient locations throughout the county: the Main Library in Franklin, and branches in Bethesda, College Grove, Fairview, Leiper’s Fork, and Nolensville.
Don’t miss out on all the Library has to offer and for a chance to win one of our three prizes.
Updated 08.08.2023 to add a time limit to digital access.
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