MURFREESBORO, TN - The Rutherford County Health Department is shining a light on a resource many residents don’t realize they have: a dedicated team of Health Navigators whose entire mission is to help individuals and families access the services that keep them healthy, stable, and supported.

These Navigators work one-on-one with community members to untangle the often‑confusing world of assistance programs. One day they may be helping a new mother enroll in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The next, they might be guiding someone through a TennCare application or connecting a family to medical referrals, housing support, or food resources.

Rutherford County Health Director Sydney Butterfield says the goal is simple but powerful. “Our Navigators ensure no one has to journey alone in finding the health, behavioral, and social services available to them. Their work is devoted to personalized support to help those in our community overcome barriers and connect with services that will improve their health and well-being.”

Behind the scenes, these Navigators tap into several specialized Tennessee Department of Health programs. CHANT, or Community Health Access and Navigation in Tennessee, helps families—especially those with children who have physical disabilities—find care and manage medical costs. RISE Navigators focus on connecting individuals with substance use disorders to treatment and social services. Clinical Care Navigators work with adults to assess needs ranging from housing and food to mental health care and medical equipment. Dementia Navigators offer guidance for individuals and caregivers, including memory screenings, education, and help navigating insurance, transportation, and long-term care options.

Residents can also explore Find Help, an online tool that uses a ZIP code to match Tennesseans with resources across the state, from housing and healthcare to financial assistance.

Anyone interested in learning more about local navigation services can call the Rutherford County Health Department at (615) 898‑7880. A full list of services offered statewide is available on the Tennessee Department of Health website.