STRONGacc

09/01/2026

Today, the STRONG Kids Team hosted an important and timely forum focused on social media and digital safety and the conversation was powerful.

The forum featured two insightful panels and an impactful presentation designed to help adults better understand the opportunities, risks, and hidden dangers young people can encounter online.

Youth Voices Panel
T.R. Dunn, co-founder of 4ThirTEEN, moderated a panel of youth who courageously shared their personal experiences with social media. Their honesty and willingness to share their stories provided valuable insight into what young people are experiencing beyond the screen.

Understanding the Hidden Dangers
Lura Meade, Forensic Interviewer with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Sullivan County, delivered a powerful presentation highlighting the hidden dangers of social media.

Keeping Kids Safe Online Panel
Betsy Holleman moderated a panel featuring Dr. Tim Perry of Frontier Health, Sgt. Travis Howard of the Virginia State Police, and Detective Jared Glover of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department. The panel explored social media apps, artificial intelligence, online safety, and practical steps families and educators can take to help protect and empower youth.

A special thank you to all of our presenters, panelists, youth participants, educators, and community partners who helped make today’s conversation meaningful. Together, we can move Beyond the Screen and toward a safer future for our kids.

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

Last week, STRONG ACC staff had the opportunity to attend two important gatherings focused on strengthening our region and our state: the First Tennessee Development District Education to Employment (E2E) Summit at the Bristol Train Station and the Tennesseans for Quality Early Education (TQEE) Tennessee Child Care Solutions Summit in Nashville.

Both events reinforced an important message: education, workforce development, early childhood, and economic development are deeply connected. When we invest in children, families, educators, and communities, we are investing in Tennessee’s future workforce.

At the E2E Summit, we explored innovative approaches to connecting education and career pathways, strengthening workforce pipelines, and helping students successfully transition from the classroom into meaningful employment. These conversations align closely with STRONG ACC’s work to build stronger pathways for young people and families across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

At the TQEE Summit, conversations centered on practical solutions to strengthen Tennessee’s early care and education system, including CareShare Tennessee, Smart Steps Plus, Childcare scholarships for early educator's children, the 45F Federal Childcare Tax Credit and Beyond Sunday (exploring how churches can use existing space to expand access to quality child care).

For STRONG ACC, these conversations are more than professional development, they highlight innovative work, allow us to connect with partners, and bring new ideas, partnership and solutions to Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside leaders, educators, employers, advocates, and community partners who are committed to creating stronger pathways for children, families, and our workforce.

We were particularly proud of the Northeast Tennessee representation at the TQEE Summit! First Tennessee Development District, Sullivan County Department of Education, Greater Kingsport Family YMCA, Ballad Health and the Niswonger Foundation were represented on the prestigious panels.

Together, we are STRONGer! 💙

08/24/2026

STRONG ACC Partners!

Join us on November 17 at the beautiful Bristol Train Station for the STRONG ACC Rooted in Resilience Reception!

This special evening will celebrate and honor the 2026 Resilience Award recipients and the incredible resilience they demonstrate in our region.

Partners will also have the opportunity to:

🤝 Connect and network with other STRONG ACC partners
🌟 Celebrate the people making a difference across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia
📣 Hear STRONG ACC updates and highlights
🍽️ Enjoy good food, music, and fellowship!

It will be an evening of celebration, connection, and inspiration and we hope you’ll join us!

Save the date: November 17!
Registration details coming soon.

08/21/2026

We kindly ask our partners to share this opportunity within their networks. Thank you and Happy Friday!

📢Please Share!📢

FoundersForge's Avante Small Business Bootcamp for budding or exploring entrepreneurs begins next week! If you're...

✔️ On a recovery or re-entry journey
✔️ A parent or caregiver of children (don't have to have custody)
✔️ Someone who's dreamed of having your own business--whether it be brick-and-mortar, online, or car-based
✔️ Just wondering if an idea you have might actually be a good business idea and would like to explore how to grow it
..this program is for you! Plus...

✔️ No cost.
✔️ Childcare provided.
✔️ Meals provided.
✔️ Prizes for top winners of the final pitch, thanks to the support of STRONGacc.

What's not to like?! Scan the QR code to register. Or contact our friends at People Incorporated of Virginia's Financial Services department to learn more.

08/06/2026

We're a new Director! Apply today or share this post with your network.

Posted 8:31:04 PM. Director, STRONG Accountable Care Community (STRONG ACC)The OpportunityThe STRONG Accountable Care…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn.

07/24/2026

We're excited to welcome Sydney Boggs as our new Collective Impact Specialist for the STRONG Accountable Care Community!

Sydney brings a passion for collaboration, a background in education, and a deep commitment to strengthening communities across Southwest Virginia. Her experience in regional partnership development and strategic engagement, combined with her dedication to improving outcomes for children and families, makes her a valuable addition to our team.

Read more about Sydney below.

Sydney Boggs, a native of Pound, Virginia, earned an associate’s degree in accounting from Mountain Empire Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in liberal arts and sciences from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. She spent seven years as an educator in Southwest Virginia, providing instruction for students from elementary through middle school. Her experience as a teacher helped sharpen her focus on community-driven work and shaped her collaborative approach to supporting strategies across the region.

Boggs joined the University of Virginia's College at Wise in 2023 as a part-time Administrative Specialist in the Office of Strategic Engagement and Government Relations before transitioning to the full-time role of Program Manager for GO Virginia Region 1. She served in this capacity for over two years before being promoted to Program Director for GO Virginia Region 1.

During her time as Program Manager, Sydney began serving on the STRONG Accountable Care Community (ACC) Achievable Futures workgroup. Building on her involvement with the workgroup, Sydney has since transitioned into the role of Collective Impact Specialist for the STRONG ACC, where she now works to advance collaborative, community-driven strategies across the region.

Please join us in welcoming Sydney as she joins our team!

07/20/2026

📣Congratulations to our very own, Beth Gill Huber, on receiving the Rebecca Isbell Award at the ETSU Early Childhood Conference!!! We are so proud of her for this well-deserved recognition! 🎉

06/26/2026

Thank you HOLA Lakeway for providing a way for the community to contribute donations for the families in Venezuela.

HOLA is collaborating with the Venezuelan Community of Morristown as a drop-off location for relief donations supporting families in Venezuela 🇻🇪🤍Thank you for helping make a difference.

05/23/2026

After five years of dedicated leadership, we share that Mark Cruise will retire as Director of the STRONG ACC effective June 30, 2026.

Since 2021, Mark has helped lead and strengthen a nationally recognized cradle-to-career collaborative serving Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Through his visionary and servant-hearted leadership, the STRONG ACC has expanded partnerships, advanced collective impact strategies, and worked alongside communities to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families across our region.

As we celebrate Mark’s tremendous impact and legacy, we are also looking ahead with excitement for the next chapter of this work.
The STRONG ACC has officially launched the search for its next Director. We are seeking a collaborative, strategic, and passionate leader committed to advancing economic mobility and opportunity for the next generation across our region.

👉We invite you to learn more, apply, and share this opportunity with your networks - http://bit.ly/4wznP5s

Thank you, Mark, for your leadership, partnership, and unwavering commitment to this region and its future.