First Tennessee Human Resource Agency

What First Tennessee Human Resource Agency does

First Tennessee Human Resource Agency (FTHRA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and quasi-governmental social services organization founded in 1974 and headquartered in Johnson City, Tennessee. The agency operates a portfolio of community programs across eight Northeast Tennessee counties (Carter, Greene, Johnson, Hancock, Hawkins, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington), serving vulnerable populations including homebound seniors, disabled adults, low-income older workers, court-involved individuals, and food-insecure children. Core programs include Meals on Wheels and nutrition services, NET Trans rural public transportation (106-vehicle fleet with fixed-route, demand-response, and on-demand EV options), Adult Day Services, the Foster Grandparent Program, Personal Support Services (operating as the exclusive Tennessee Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services homemaker services provider), the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), Misdemeanor Probation and Alternative Community Corrections Programs, DUI School, and Child Care/Summer Food Service Programs.

FTHRA's revenue model is predominantly grant-funded, drawing on federal sources (U.S. Department of Labor SCSEP, Federal Transit Administration via TDOT), state sources (Tennessee Departments of Transportation, Corrections, and Human Services), client fees (probation), corporate sponsorships (Wallace Subaru, Bank of Tennessee, Mark III), and donations processed through four regional United Way affiliates and direct contributions. The agency employs approximately 250 staff supported by 600+ active volunteers contributing over 20,000 hours annually, and has operated continuously for 50 years.

The technology stack is limited to standard nonprofit and service-delivery tools: BambooHR for human resources management, PayPal for donation processing, and the NET Trans mobile application for ride scheduling. No proprietary technology platforms, AI/ML capabilities, or APIs are present. The agency's competitive position rests on regulatory exclusivity (the DHS APS homemaker contract), five decades of community trust, a multi-county physical service infrastructure that is costly to replicate, and a deeply embedded network of volunteers and corporate partners. In 2023, the agency delivered 298,577 meals, completed 141,537 transit trips covering 3,046,382 miles, monitored 2,630 probation clients, and engaged 64 SCSEP participants, with 2024 milestones including the 50th anniversary, Hurricane Helene emergency food response, and expansion of NET Trans EV service to Elizabethton and Greeneville.

Name

First Tennessee Human Resource Agency

Legal name

First Tennessee Human Resource Agency

Website

https://fthra.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

First Tennessee Human Resource Agency is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1974 that delivers social services across eight Northeast Tennessee counties, including Meals on Wheels, rural public transit, adult day care, senior employment training, and community corrections supervision, serving vulnerable seniors, disabled adults, and court-involved individuals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Services / Community Action Agency

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Duty Personal Care Agencies (Non-Medical Home Care Providers) (HLADAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Senior nutrition programs
• Nonprofit transportation services
• Adult day care
• Probation supervision

Headquarters

HQ city

Johnson City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: Federal and state government grants from agencies including U.S. Department of Labor (SCSEP), Tennessee Department of Transportation (FTA), and Tennessee Department of Corrections. This constitutes the primary funding source for most programs.
2. Client Fees - Probation Programs: Misdemeanor Probation Program and Alternative Community Corrections Program are funded through client fees. Clients pay court costs, fines, and restitution which are monitored by MPP staff.
3. Donations and Sponsorships: Monetary donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations. Corporate sponsorships such as Wallace Subaru Share the Love campaign, Bank of TN (Thanksgiving meals), and Mark III (Christmas meals) provide additional funding for Meals on Wheels program.
4. Donations - Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, including Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs for donors aged 70½ or older. Donations support programs including Meals on Wheels, Foster Grandparents, and Adult Day Services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

First Tennessee Human Resource Agency is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community action agency that delivers a portfolio of human services programs across eight Northeast Tennessee counties. Its core offerings include home-delivered meals for homebound seniors, public and senior transportation, adult day services for adults with disabilities, in-home personal support, senior community service employment training, court-supervised probation and DUI education, and federal child nutrition programs, all funded through a mix of government contracts, client fees, and donations.

Product overview

First Tennessee Human Resource Agency (FTHRA) operates as a nonprofit social services organization offering a portfolio of community programs serving Northeast Tennessee. The organization functions as a platform of interconnected services addressing senior care, transportation, employment, and rehabilitation needs. Core programs include Meals on Wheels (meal delivery and wellness checks for homebound seniors), NET Trans (accessible regional transportation), Adult Day Services (daytime senior care), Foster Grandparent Program (intergenerational mentorship), Personal Support Services (in-home APS services), Senior Employment Program (SCSEP job training), and Probation Programs (misdemeanor and felony supervision/rehabilitation). Supporting programs include DUI School, Child Care Food/Summer Food Service Program, and the Pet Pals sub-program. These programs serve eight counties (Carter, Greene, Johnson, Hancock, Hawkins, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington) and are coordinated through a central Johnson City headquarters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NET Trans: Regional public transportation service providing accessible transportation options for residents across Northeast Tennessee, including services for elderly and mobility-challenged individuals.
• Meals on Wheels of Northeast Tennessee
• Pet Pals

Products and services

• Meals on Wheels Hot, home-delivered noon meal provided five days a week to homebound older adults aged 60+ (and their spouses) across all eight FTHRA counties; supports nutrition, food security, and brief well-check contact. Funded through Older Americans Act Title III-C, state aging contracts, donations, and client contributions.
• NET Trans (Northeast Tennessee Transit) Fixed-route and complementary demand-response (curb-to-curb) transportation for the general public, seniors aged 60+, and individuals with disabilities across Northeast Tennessee; ADA-accessible vehicles support wheelchair and mobility-aid riders; tens of thousands of rides provided per month.
• Adult Day Services Structured daytime program of supervision, nutritious meals, socialization, and therapeutic activities for adults (age 18+) with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities and for seniors aged 60+, providing caregiver respite. Funded through Medicaid waivers (CHOICES, ECF), VA benefits, and private pay.
• Foster Grandparent Program AmeriCorps Seniors program that places income-eligible adults aged 55+ as volunteer mentors for at-risk children at schools, Head Start centers, and youth-serving agencies, providing mentorship while earning a modest tax-free hourly stipend and other benefits.
• Personal Support Services In-home personal care, light housekeeping, errands, meal preparation, and respite hours for adults aged 18+ who are elderly or living with disabilities. Operated as FTHRA's county exclusive homemaker services contract under the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability; also accepts VA, Medicaid waivers (CHOICES/ECF), long-term-care insurance, and private pay.
• Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) Older Americans Act Title V program providing part-time community-service training assignments at local nonprofits and government agencies for low-income adults aged 55+, serving as a bridge to unsubsidized employment.
• Probation Programs Court-referred community supervision program for misdemeanor probationers, providing regular reporting, drug screening, case management, and restitution tracking as an alternative to incarceration under contract with local courts in Northeast Tennessee.
• DUI School Court-ordered alcohol and drug education program for individuals convicted of driving under the influence, including first-offender treatment tracks that satisfy court and license-reinstatement requirements.
• Child Care Food Program USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program sponsorship that reimburses participating licensed child care providers for serving nutritious meals to enrolled children, with training and monitoring support provided by FTHRA.
• Summer Food Service Program USDA Summer Food Service Program sponsorship operating open meal sites at schools, parks, libraries, and community centers during summer break to feed children 18 and under who lose access to school meals.
• Pet Pals Volunteer-driven companion pet visitation program that brings screened, vaccinated pet-and-handler teams into senior-serving facilities and individual homes to reduce isolation and improve emotional well-being among older adults.

Quantifiable outcome

• 298,577 meals delivered to 2,753 clients
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wallace Subaru of Johnson CitycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 November 2024Subaru Share the Love campaign partner. Raised $52,604 in 2023-2024 campaign, bringing total donations to over $100,000 in two years. Customers can select Meals on Wheels as charity when purchasing/subaru vehicles. Donation supports home-delivered meals, wellness checks, and companionship services for seniors.
• Subaru of AmericacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 November 2023National Subaru Share the Love Event enables Subaru and retailers to donate $250-500 per vehicle purchased to customer-chosen charities. Meals on Wheels is one of four national charities featured. Since 2008, initiative has raised over $256 million supporting over 2,100 hometown charities.
• The Center for Workforce InclusioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormerly Senior Service America. Operates SCSEP under U.S. Department of Labor grant. Nearly 60 years of experience building pathways to employment for low-income older job seekers.
• United Way of Greene CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal United Way affiliate supporting Personal Support Services program. Contributes to health, well-being, safety, and empowerment services for individuals facing challenges.
• United Way of BristolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal United Way affiliate (315 Eighth Street, Bristol, TN 37620) supporting Personal Support Services program for vulnerable adults.
• United Way of Greater KingsportminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal United Way affiliate (301 Louis St., Suite 301, Kingsport, TN 37660) supporting Personal Support Services and community empowerment initiatives.
• United Way of East TN HighlandsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal United Way affiliate with offices in Johnson City (605 W. Walnut St.) and Carter County (546 E. Elk Ave., Elizabethton) supporting Personal Support Services.
• Bank of TennesseeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThanksgiving meals sponsor for Meals on Wheels Northeast Tennessee program. Corporate sponsor providing holiday meal support for homebound seniors.
• Mark IIIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChristmas meals sponsor for Meals on Wheels Northeast Tennessee. Corporate sponsor (300 W. Watauga Ave., Johnson City, TN 37604) providing holiday meal support for seniors.
• Milligan UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOccupational therapy students from Milligan University partner with Adult Day Services. Students provide hands-on life skills activities, crafts, and therapeutic exercises while gaining real-world experience.
• Meals on Wheels AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational affiliation providing framework, resources, and brand support for local Meals on Wheels program. Major recipient of Subaru Share the Love donations.
• Tennessee Board of Probation and ParolecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState board providing referrals for Alternative Community Corrections Program for non-violent felony offenders requiring intensive supervision.
• Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual ViolenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState coalition providing certification for Betterer's Intervention Program (BIPS) for domestic violence education services.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Help at Home: Large private-duty personal care agency serving Medicaid waiver and elder care populations across multiple states—comparable business model to FTHRA's non-medical in-home care for vulnerable adults.
• Addus HomeCare: Public personal care services provider focused on Medicaid-funded home and community-based services for elderly and disabled populations—directly comparable to FTHRA's Personal Support Services line, but operating at much larger scale across multiple states.
• Amedisys: Large publicly traded home health and hospice provider offering skilled home health services; relevant peer for FTHRA's Personal Support Services / APS homemaker line, though Amedisys operates in the medical/skilled segment rather than FTHRA's non-medical social services.
• National Church Residences: National nonprofit providing affordable senior housing, adult day, and home- and community-based services; comparable mission and multi-program senior services platform, though operating primarily in urban/suburban markets rather than rural Appalachia.
• Meals on Wheels America (national network): National umbrella organization under which FTHRA's Meals on Wheels of Northeast Tennessee operates; comparable as a senior nutrition platform, though FTHRA is an affiliate rather than the national body.

Direct peers

• East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA): A neighboring Tennessee Human Resource Agency providing the same suite of community services (Meals on Wheels, public transit, senior employment, probation, adult day services) across a different East Tennessee district—essentially a structural twin to FTHRA under the same state human resource agency model.
• Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency: Regional Community Action Agency covering upper East Tennessee counties with senior nutrition, transit, weatherization, and Head Start programs—operates an analogous multi-program rural human services model in adjacent counties.
• Mid-East Tennessee Community Action Agency: Community Action Agency serving mid-East Tennessee with comparable senior, nutrition, transportation, and family self-sufficiency programs—directly comparable mission, funding mix, and rural service delivery model.

Others

• Brookdale Senior Living: Largest U.S. senior living operator including adult day and home care segments; while for-profit and far larger, it competes indirectly for FTHRA's adult day services clientele who can afford private-pay options.

Regional players

• Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee: Regional food bank operating in the same 8-county footprint; complementary rather than directly competitive (FTHRA delivers prepared meals, Second Harvest supplies grocery distribution), but competes for the same donor dollars and volunteer pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@FTHRA
• Facebookfacebook.com/FirstTennesseeHumanResourceAgency
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fthra
• Instagraminstagram.com/fthraofficial
• Xx.com/FTHRA

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Tennessee Human Resource Agency