Healthier Montgomery

19/05/2026

Jessica Hawley was today’s presenter at May’s Montgomery County Health Council meeting

18/05/2026

At the next Montgomery County Health Council meeting, we are pleased to welcome Jessica Hawley, BSN, RN, Family Health and Wellness Director with the Tennessee Department of Health Mid-Cumberland Region. Mrs. Hawley will lead a thoughtful discussion on the availability of feminine hygiene products in schools.
Recent conversations across Middle Tennessee have shown that many schools do not have these products readily accessible to students. In some cases, products are available but must be requested from a designated gatekeeper, such as a school nurse. This also has its challenges when that individual is unavailable.
This presentation is not intended to criticize or place blame. We recognize the pressures schools are under and understand the funding challenges. Instead, the goal of the discussion is to explore this issue with understanding and respect. Just as items like soap, paper towels, and toilet paper are made available without barriers, this conversation invites us to consider how to support students with the same level of dignity and practicality.
We look forward to a constructive, compassionate discussion as we work together to understand needs and identify sustainable solutions. The Montgomery County Health Council meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 12:00-1:00 PM at the 2nd-floor conference room of the Montgomery County Health Department, 330 Pageant Lane. Clarksville, TN 37040.

21/04/2026

Today’s Health Council meeting we learned more about TnCommunity Compass and https://findhelp.org

15/04/2026

For links to back-to-school-partners and data

Official Government Website for Montgomery County, TN.

17/02/2026

At February’s health council meeting we also learned about community Improvement grants from AARP.

17/02/2026

At February’s Montgomery County Health Council meeting, we learned about Centerston Crisis Center on Greenwood Avenue. There is video in the comments

06/02/2026

The corner of Crossland Ave and Tally & Richardson doesn’t have a crosswalk. But this is what It could look like with paint alone. Three dimensional paint has been shown to be traffic calming while not slowing emergency vehicles. 

20/01/2026

Today the Montgomery County Health Council discussed some of the findings of a walk audit they conducted near Glenellen Elementary School. Here are some of the photos from today’s presentation. The Montgomery County Health Council is a citizen driven council who meet regularly, review data, find best practices, and identify opportunities. A walk audit is a simple, powerful way to see your community through the eyes of a pedestrian. By walking the streets together, residents, leaders, and planners can:

👀 Spot barriers like broken sidewalks, poor lighting, or unsafe crossings
🧑‍🦽 Identify challenges for children, older adults, and people with disabilities
💡 Generate ideas to make walking safer, healthier, and more enjoyable
🌳 Highlight opportunities for more green space, benches, and community gathering spots

When we improve walkability, we improve health, safety, and connection for everyone. ❤️

✨ Join us in shaping a community where walking is safe and accessible for all. Every step counts!

Thank you to AARP Tennessee for the Audit tools.

16/01/2026

January is Braille Literacy Month. Some might think those bumps are there for traction, but they serve far more important purpose. Those bumps are called truncated domes and tactile paving. They act as “Braille for the sidewalk,” providing critical sensory cues that warn people with vision impairment of hazards like intersections, curb ramps, and transit platforms.

Tactile pavers were developed by Seichi Miyake, who was inspired by Braille, and they were first introduced in 1965. They were installed for the first time in 1967 on a street in Okayama, Japan. They debuted at a single crosswalk near a school for the blind but were soon used at pedestrian crossings around the country. The technology proved to be such a success that Japan National Railways adopted it system wide.

Tactile Paving help…..
1. Enhance independent mobility and safety for visually impaired individuals.
2. Alert users to potential dangers, preventing falls and accidents.
3. Meets accessibility requirements like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the U.S. Tennessee Department of Health

12/01/2026

Did you ever notice that the sidewalk on the eastbound side of Madison St ends around Dogwood Lane? 65 Years ago, plans were made to expand Madison Street to 4 lanes. This left enough room for a sidewalk to run on one side of the street. Source The Leaf-Chronicle Fri, Oct 21, 1960.