News

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Secretary of State Tre Hargett reminds Tennesseans about Safe at Home, the free statewide address confidentiality program for anyone who has experienced domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking or any sexual offense. “Right now, nearly 550 Safe at Home participants across the state are protecting themselves from becoming victims again by protecting their address,” said Secretary Hargett. “I encourage Tennesseans of any age or gender who’ve been victims of domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, or any sexual offense to take advantage of this free program.” Safe at Home prevents abusers from locating their victims through public records by providing approved applicants a substitute address that may be used for legal purposes, including voter registration and government services such as a driver’s license and access to assistance programs. Under current Tennessee law, most state and local government records are available for public review. These public records, which include home addresses and other identifying information, can make it easy for abusers to track and find their victims. Safe at Home participants are issued a substitute address they can use anytime they interact with state and local government or anyone who could potentially make their home address part of the public record. This substitute address can be used by anyone in the household, including children, elderly parents and new spouses. “I’ve grown to appreciate the Safe at Home program simply because it keeps my residential address confidential,” said Safe at Home program participant Danette Mahabeer. “I don’t have to worry about my mail anymore. They are sorted and sent to me in a timely fashion. I just love the fact that the people behind the scenes really care about keeping me safe.” The first step to enrolling in the Safe at Home program is to complete an application with a partnering agency in your community. Safe at Home has partner agencies serving all 95 counties in Tennessee. Each partner agency has certified application assistants to guide participants through enrollment. Safe at Home partner agencies include state and local agencies and nonprofit organizations that provide counseling and shelter services to victims of domestic abuse and other crimes. A list of partnering agencies is available at SafeAtHomeTN.com. For more information about the Safe at Home program, participant eligibility or becoming a partner agency, visit SafeAtHomeTN.com or call 615-253-3043.

Crews from Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) will leave Thursday morning for Ridgeland, South Carolina, to assist Palmetto Electric Cooperative with power restoration in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Palmetto Electric serves over 75,000 members in Beaufort, Hampton and Jasper counties along the southern coast of South Carolina.   Hurricane Ian made landfall along the southwest Florida coastline at Punta Gorda, Florida, near Port Charlotte on Wednesday as a Category 4 storm. On its current track, it will be in the Palmetto Electric service territory area on Friday. With the anticipation of significant power outages due to high wind and potential tornados, MTE crews will be arriving ahead of the storm, so they are ready to aid in the restoration process immediately.    “A special thanks to these men and all the line workers who leave home and work long hours in dangerous conditions and inclement weather to restore power to those in need,” said Chris Jones, MTE president and CEO. “As a cooperative, Middle Tennessee Electric abides by the Seven Cooperative Principles; one of which calls for cooperation between cooperatives. This means that cooperatives help each other, particularly when faced with serious storm damage and destruction. MTE was the beneficiary of this type of help following the tornado in Wilson County in 2020, and we’re always ready to aid another cooperative in its time of need.” MTE crews will assist this area until all needs are met following the impact of the hurricane.

The Tennessee Department of Health is recognizing Child Health Month throughout October. This annual recognition celebrates and raises awareness about programs devoted to the health of Tennessee’s children, our most important resource.

‘’As a parent and pediatrician I know the importance of keeping children healthy and safe,’’ Said Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Health and Director of the Division of Family Health and Wellness Tobi Amosun, MD, FAAP. ‘’From immunizations to nutrition tips, local health departments offer opportunities for parents and caregivers to make sure children receive the important care they need and deserve.’’

Tennesseans have faced many challenges in the last two years and TDH is excited to celebrate this year’s Child Health Month theme, New Beginnings. Together with our local and state partners TDH is ensuring parents, caregivers, teachers, and community members are equipped with the tools they need to promote healthy practices to Tennessee’s children.

TDH will promote a number of focus areas during Child Health Month to ensure children and families receive valuable information for their overall health :

•             Tobacco and Substance Abuse Prevention

•             Promoting Healthy Eating Habits and Healthy Drinks

•             Weekly Child Health Topic Lunch and Learns

•             Social and Emotional Health

•             Children with Special Health Care Needs

•             Preventing Childhood Trauma

Join TDH in celebrating Child Health Month! Visit tn.gov/health/CHM2022 to find activities and events in your community.

Tennessee gas prices continue to slowly decline, falling five cents on average over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.17 which is 28 cents less expensive than one month ago and 28 cents more than one year ago.  

“While the national gas price average has reversed course and is now trending more expensive, gas prices here in Tennessee are still continuing to decline, ” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “There’s still downward pressure on pump prices in the market, however, Hurricane Ian has the potential to influence the market later in the week. The good news for Tennesseans, is that Tennessee’s gasoline is primarily provided by refineries in Texas and Louisiana, so it’s unlikely that the storm itself would cause local pump prices to spike.” 

Quick Facts

• 20% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $3.00 
• The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.91 for regular unleaded 
• The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.54 for regular unleaded
• Tennessee is the 5th least expensive market in the nation

National Gas Prices

Gas prices rose a nickel over the past week, as the national average pump price hit $3.72. The main reason is higher regional prices on the West Coast and the Midwest due to refinery issues ranging from planned maintenance to a fire. But low domestic demand as fewer drivers fuel up and much lower oil prices have helped to blunt some of the impact. On Friday, the price of oil slipped below $80 a barrel for the first time since January, primarily due to fears of a recession-led global economic slowdown.

Meanwhile, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand decreased from 8.49 million b/d to 8.32 million b/d last week. Moreover, according to the EIA, total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 1.6 million bbl to 214.6 million bbl. Although gasoline demand has decreased, tight supply and fluctuating oil prices have increased the national average price. However, if gas demand remains low pump price increases will likely be minimal.

Today’s national average of $3.72 is 14 cents less than a month ago but 54 cents more than a year ago.

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties (UWRCC) announces its inaugural three-day giving campaign, called GIVE UNITED, taking place on September 27, 28 and 29.

UWRCC aims to raise $200,000 during the Give United campaign to face the biggest challenges in Rutherford and Cannon counties around childhood development, financial stability, mental health, substance abuse, and healthy behaviors like nutrition and obesity. Donors can designate their gift to one of these focus areas, or to the general community fund for the greatest impact.

“Give United is an opportunity to bring members of our community together to support the most pressing challenges we face. Issues such as mental health, housing affordability, meeting basic needs, and early childhood success are all important to the Bold Goals 2030, a ten-year strategic vision developed by the community, for the community. We invite you to join us in making a gift that is meaningful to you that will influence our measurable impact on each of these issues,” shares United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties’ CEO, Meagan Flippin.

For every $1 invested in the operation of your local United Way, $14 of impact is put back into our community. A gift to United Way benefits the health, education, and financial stability of everyone in our community.

For more information on Give United or to donate, please visit yourlocaluw.org/giveunited.

With the 2022-23 school year in full swing, the Tennessee Department of Education concludes the “Know More, Learn More TN” back to school campaign with an encouragement to all families to support their student’s reading progress by learning about their Lexile level. Newly added this week in the TCAP Family Portal, Lexile levels for each student provide parents and families with the information they need to support their student’s reading skills and find reading materials to match and further develop the student’s reading skills. 

Tennessee parents and families with students who took a TCAP ELA assessment in spring 2022 will now see a Lexile Reader Measure in the TCAP Family Portal. Lexile Reader Measures give parents information about their student’s reading progress and help them select reading materials that are matched to their academic needs. A Lexile measure assesses a student’s reading ability and what level of text a student can read and understand on their own. 

“The TCAP Family Portal is a free resource to help parents understand how their student is progressing toward their academic goals, and the department has added new resources to make it easy for families to support learning,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “Along with interactive TCAP assessment reports for students, the TCAP Family Portal now provides a student’s Lexile level—giving parents an important tool to assess their student’s reading ability and support learning inside and outside classroom.” 

Aligned to the Tennessee Academic Standards for English language arts, students should read within the range of their grade-band and should also experience supportive texts in the lower ends of the range to prepare them for the more challenging texts in the upper ends of the range. 

The Lexile framework and scale for reading compliment the state‘s TCAP English language arts assessment to accurately measure each student’s reading level. The Lexile measure is shown as a number with an “L” for Lexile measure and can range from 0L for beginning readers to above 1600L for college-level readers. Books and other texts have a Lexile measure associated with them, which describes how difficult the text is to comprehend. When used together, these measures can help parents and families find a book for their student that is at an appropriate level of difficulty and suggests how well the student will comprehend the text.  

“I appreciate the Tennessee Department of Education including Lexile levels for parents to view in the TCAP Family Portal,” said Mr. William Freddy Curtis, Director of Schools, Cannon County Schools. “Knowing the Lexile range can enable parents to encourage a life-long love of reading in their child by accessing books that are interesting to the student and within a range that the child can comprehend. The Lexile can be utilized by parents and guardians to observe progress in the reading ability of their child(ren).” 

“We are excited that families will now have more information to support their students in reading,” said Dr. Marcia Melton, Supervisor of Instruction, Cannon County Schools. “Having the Lexile measure for students, informs families on the reading level of their child and what support they may need.”

  With the 2022-23 school year in full swing, the Tennessee Department of Education concludes the “Know More, Learn More TN” back to school campaign with an encouragement to all families to support their student’s reading progress by learning about their Lexile level. Newly added this week in the TCAP Family Portal, Lexile levels for each student provide parents and families with the information they need to support their student’s reading skills and find reading materials to match and further develop the student’s reading skills. 

Tennessee parents and families with students who took a TCAP ELA assessment in spring 2022 will now see a Lexile Reader Measure in the TCAP Family Portal. Lexile Reader Measures give parents information about their student’s reading progress and help them select reading materials that are matched to their academic needs. A Lexile measure assesses a student’s reading ability and what level of text a student can read and understand on their own. 

Aligned to the Tennessee Academic Standards for English language arts, students should read within the range of their grade-band and should also experience supportive texts in the lower ends of the range to prepare them for the more challenging texts in the upper ends of the range.  

The Lexile framework and scale for reading compliment the state‘s TCAP English language arts assessment to accurately measure each student’s reading level. The Lexile measure is shown as a number with an “L” for Lexile measure and can range from 0L for beginning readers to above 1600L for college-level readers. Books and other texts have a Lexile measure associated with them, which describes how difficult the text is to comprehend. When used together, these measures can help parents and families find a book for their student that is at an appropriate level of difficulty and suggests how well the student will comprehend the text.  

In addition to this short video, this one-pager and this graphic, the department has added new resources to the series of customizable communications tools and graphics that can be used across a variety of platforms to promote the TCAP Family Portal – from bulletin boards to social media channels to school websites and parent emails – including: 

·  Lexile Reader Measure Explainer Graphics 

·  Customizable Back to School Night PowerPoint Presentation 

·  Helpful Tips for Districts to Engage with Parents and Families  

Visit the department’s TCAP webpage for more information on Tennessee’s assessment program.

For more information on the TCAP Family Portal, parents and families can watch this short video, reference this one-pager or view this graphic. 

A strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has sickened a poultry flock in West Tennessee. To protect the health of other domesticated birds, the State Veterinarian is leading the emergency response and ordering an immediate halt to poultry shows, exhibitions, and sales statewide.

HPAI is known to be deadly for domesticated fowl. The affected backyard flock in Obion County consists of chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, pheasants, and pigeons. On Sept. 13, the flock owner notified the State Veterinarian’s office after a sudden unexplained increase in deaths. Testing at the C.E. Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory in Nashville and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa confirmed the presence of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in samples from that flock.

“With HPAI, it’s critical we move quickly to stop the virus from spreading,” Tennessee State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Beaty said. “We appreciate the flock owner for contacting us immediately when unexpected deaths occurred. We have protocols in place for instances like this and we are working closely with our state and federal partners to get this situation under control.”

For now, any events where poultry can comingle are prohibited. That includes poultry shows, exhibitions, livestock sales, flea markets, and swap meets.

“Issuing an order like this is never an easy decision, especially during fair season,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “From backyard flock owners to the large commercial companies—the poultry industry touches a lot of lives in Tennessee. This is an effort to protect all domesticated poultry in our state.”

The affected farm is under quarantine and the flock is being depopulated to stop potential spread of the illness. Animal health officials have established a 20 kilometer (12.4 mile) surveillance zone surrounding the site. Within the zone, other flocks will be tested and monitored for illness and poultry movement is restricted. That zone includes a portion of Kentucky. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is partnering with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to coordinate response.

“We are working diligently alongside our Tennessee counterparts to prevent this virus from spreading to other poultry premises,” Kentucky State Veterinarian Dr. Katie Flynn said. “Because the control area comes into Kentucky, we have initiated our avian influenza response and are in active communication with state, federal, and industry partners. We will begin surveillance of commercial and backyard flocks within that identified area immediately.”

Although HPAI does not pose a food safety risk, no infected poultry will be allowed to enter the food supply. Poultry and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly. The risk of human infection with avian influenza during poultry outbreaks is very low. In fact, no transmission to humans was reported during the outbreak that affected commercial poultry farms in Tennessee in 2017.

Owners of backyard and commercial poultry flocks are encouraged to:
• Closely observe domesticated birds and report a sudden increase in the number of sick birds or bird deaths to the Tennessee State Veterinarian’s office at 615- 837-5120. Or, in Tennessee or Kentucky, you can report to USDA at 1-866-536-7593.
• Prevent contact with wild birds.
• Practice good biosecurity with your poultry. More information can be found online at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov/.
• Enroll in the National Poultry Improvement Plan, the Secure Broiler Supply Plan, and the Secure Egg Supply Plan as appropriate for your operation.

Information about Tennessee’s response can be found on our Avian Influenza Resources webpage.

Information about Kentucky’s response can be found online at www.kyagr.com/HPAI.

State officials and partners have extensive experience in effectively containing the virus. Control of avian influenza includes coordination of resources and response, and protocols for quarantine, testing, disposal, cleaning, disinfection, and monitoring.

In Tennessee, more than 600 family farms contribute to the commercial poultry industry. The state is a global leader for primary breeders, and an estimated 45 percent of the chicken consumed worldwide traces back to Tennessee operations. Broiler chickens are among the state’s top agricultural commodities, generating $376.2 million in cash receipts in 2021.

Special Agents assigned to TBI’s Cybercrime and Digital Evidence Unit have charged a La Vergne man in connection to an ongoing Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation in Florida.

In July, TBI received information from the Walton County, Florida Sheriff’s Department, in relation to an online solicitation operation, dubbed “Operation Wolves Blanket,” involving Chasen White (DOB 2-7-91). Authorities determined White engaged in an inappropriate chat with who he believed to be a minor during the sheriff’s department undercover operation. TBI agents assisted in the subsequent investigation and gathered evidence contributing to a criminal charge in Florida.

On Tuesday, authorities arrested White and booked him into the Rutherford County Jail, where, at the time of this release, he was awaiting extradition to Florida to face a charge of Soliciting a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services, in partnership with Governor Bill Lee and the Families First Community Advisory Board, recognized the 7 collaborative groups selected for $175 million in Implementation Grants to further the Department’s vision of fundamentally changing the way low-income families are served in Tennessee. Soon, each public-private collaborative group will kick off pilot projects aimed at addressing barriers faced by low-income, Temporary Assistance for Needy Familes-eligible Tennesseans. The Tennessee Opportunity Pilot Initiative is a 3-year effort, with each of the 7 pilot projects funded through $25 million Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grants.

Each pilot project has a different strategy in how services will be carried out, and their activities will be measured using a universal assessment tool. The intention of the pilot initiative is to explore various service interventions that set low-income Tennesseans on a path of reduced dependency on government funded social service programs, while increasing their capacity toward upward mobility and self-sufficiency.

Two of the programs will assist Cannon Countains.

• Family & Children’s Service – Will reduce and mitigate systemic barriers that prevent families from leaving generational poverty by coordinating the work of existing organizations to create a comprehensive, connected social services and family-centered workforce development network. (Serving 28 middle Tennessee counties)
• Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency – Will target families who are currently unemployed and those who have never entered the workforce through a new continuum of care process that reduces duplication across human services programs and increases workforce participation, job readiness, placement, and advancement. The agency serves Cannon and 13 other counties in the region.

The implementation of the Tennessee Opportunity Pilot Initiative is only one component of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Opportunity Act, legislation that passed in 2021.  The TANF Opportunity Act offers a pathway to self-sufficiency for the recipients, provides for an investment in community partnerships through both the spend down of the TANF reserve and plans for recurring dollars, while also strengthening protections against fraud, waste, and abuse. Since the Tennessee Opportunity Act went into effect, the Families First Community Advisory Board has been established, Families First (the state’s TANF program) recipients have received increases in their monthly cash assistance, and community grants totaling more than $100 million will be awarded to 44 organizations.

Details on the Tennessee Opportunity Act, the state’s plan for effectively utilizing TANF funds, and more information on Tennessee Opportunity Act components can be viewed on the Tennessee Department of Human Services website here. View previous announcements regarding the Tennessee Opportunity Act on the TDHS news page.

Click here to learn more about how the Tennessee Department of Human Services is working to Transform Tennessee Together.

The Tennessee Department of Health has received a $5M competitive federal grant to fund community and clinical programs that improve Tennessee’s maternal health outcomes, TDH announced today.

“The vast majority of maternal deaths in Tennessee are preventable,” said TDH Commissioner Dr. Morgan McDonald, MD FACP FAAP. “This grant award will make a significant impact in preventing deaths among women of childbearing age, and in eliminating disparities and inequities in maternal health care services, education, and training.”

The TDH Division of Family Health and Wellness received the Maternal Health Innovation grant from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services to fund several initiatives in the next five years:

• Expand membership in the state maternal health task force which will create a maternal health strategic plan for Tennessee;
• Strengthen capacities for data collection and analysis to implement maternal health clinical quality improvement projects;
• Create materials to educate patients about the early warning signs of pregnancy emergencies;
• Collaborate with local community agencies on projects to address maternal health needs;
• Share and support the lived experiences of women who survived pregnancy complications, and the experiences of relatives for women who didn’t, through public outreach efforts; and,
• Build a comprehensive maternal health website.

Analyzing maternal health data from 2017 to 2020, TDH’s Maternal Mortality Review Program found almost nine in 10 pregnancy-related deaths were preventable, and 24 percent had a good chance of being prevented.

“Congratulations to TDH on receiving the Maternal Health Innovation Grant,” said Brenda Barker, executive director of the Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care. “This will allow Tennessee to continue the transformational work to improve maternal health, pregnancy, and birth, while addressing disparities in maternal and infant health. This grant will especially be important to support Tennessee hospitals and providers as they participate in maternal and infant improvement projects.”

TIPQC is a collaborative stakeholder organization that seeks to improve health outcomes for mothers and infants in Tennessee through provider- and community-based initiatives.

Visit TDH’s Maternal and Child Health webpage for more information on programs and services improving the health of Tennessee’s women and children.

More information is available about HHS’s grant award announcement and its State Maternal Health Innovation Program.

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 www.tn.gov/health.