Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) released the following actions and guidance regarding the nationwide infant formula shortage.

“As parents across the country face empty shelves at the grocery store, we’re reminded just how important a stable supply chain is for Tennessee families,” said Lee. “We thank grocers and retailers for doing their part as we pull every lever to give Tennesseans in crisis the resources they need – but ultimately, it’s time for the federal government to do all they can to deregulate, ease restrictions and get formula back on the shelves.”

Tennessee families impacted by the infant formula shortage are encouraged to use the following resources:

Resources

• Read guidance about formula substitution and warnings about altering formula here
• Call your local foodbank to ask if they have infant formula in stock here
• Check your formula’s lot code to see if it was affected by the recall here
• Find a list of formula substitutions for your child here
• Families who qualify for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) can find additional resources here

“It’s our top priority to ensure the health and wellbeing of all Tennessee children,” said TDH Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “We encourage families impacted by the formula shortage to use Tennessee Department of Health guidance to make informed decisions as we continue to seek solutions for this crisis.”

Breastmilk + Breastmilk Donation

Mothers’ Milk Bank of Tennessee, a non-profit organization that provides donor milk to vulnerable babies in the NICU, is accepting breastmilk donations from nursing mothers. Learn more and donate here.

Tennessee nonfarm employment has fully rebounded from the pandemic, surpassing pre-pandemic levels of employment with 45,500 more people holding jobs now than in February 2020. The Tennessee Quarterly Business and Economic Indicators report issued by Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office shows that state unemployment dropped to 3.2%, below the national rate of 3.6%. “Employment exceeding pre-pandemic levels is an important milestone for our state,” said Secretary Hargett. “It reflects Tennessean’s resilience and our leaders’ commitment to a business-friendly environment that encourages investment and job growth. As the economy resets, we are seeing more companies choosing to make Tennessee their new home.” New business filings in the first quarter of 2022 grew 8.7% from first quarter filings in 2021, marking 42 consecutive quarters of year-over-year growth. Over 77,000 new businesses filed over the past year and 21,353 new entities filed in the first quarter of 2022. Growth in business filings typically leads to growth in jobs, personal income and state revenue. The largest number of filings in the first quarter were in Shelby County, followed by Davidson, Knox and Hamilton counties. These four most-populous counties accounted for 44.3% of new filings state-wide. However, most of the year-over-year growth in filings occurred in Tennessee’s other 91 counties. Businesses in those counties expanded by 16.2%, reflecting efforts across the state on workforce development, education, infrastructure and responsible fiscal management. “Everywhere you look, there’s evidence that the strong economic momentum in Tennessee isn’t slowing down,” said Bill Fox, director of the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research. “Nonfarm employment has not only recovered to pre-pandemic levels, but has exceeded them. Tax revenues are up; personal incomes are up. Our growing economy is not only beneficial to Tennesseans, but attractive to others wanting to move here, too.” This report provides a snapshot of the state’s economy based on key indicators, including new business data from the Secretary of State’s Division of Business and Charitable Organizations. It is published through a partnership with the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research and the Secretary of State. To review the complete Q1 2022 Tennessee Quarterly Business and Economic Indicators report, past reports and a teleconference recording about the report with Secretary Hargett and Dr. Fox visit, sos.tn.gov.

Two people in Rutherford County are charged with TennCare fraud in connection with allegedly giving false information so one of them could enroll in the state’s healthcare insurance program.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) with the help of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office today announced the arrest of Phillip Johnson and his girlfriend Dusty Brown. Both are 45 years old. Johnson is also charged with theft of services.

Investigators allege the girlfriend provided false documents and statements to the state as to where Johnson’s son was living. The statements resulted in TennCare paying more than $8,440.00 in fees and claims on behalf of Johnson.

“Truthful and accurate household composition reporting is the responsibility of TennCare recipients,” Inspector General Chad Holman said.  “When recipients provide false information, they will be investigated to ensure that they are held accountable.”    

The TennCare fraud and theft of services charges are class D felonies. The case is being prosecuted by  District Attorney General Jennings H. Jones, who serves Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has identified and investigated more than 130,349 potential fraud cases leading to more than $9.2 million being repaid to TennCare.  In the last year ending June 30, 2021, the total estimated cost avoidance was more than $7.5 million. TennCare’s budget is comprised of 65 percent federal and 35 percent state dollars. To date, 3,168 people of been charged with TennCare fraud.

The OIG’s “Most Wanted” list can be located online at https://www.tn.gov/finance/fa-oig/fa-oig-most-wanted.html. Anyone with information about a wanted subject is urged to use the contact information on the page.

Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions.  Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982, toll-free, or by logging on to www.tn.gov/oig/ and following the prompts that read “Report TennCare fraud.”

Governor Bill Lee is calling on organizations across the state to donate summer camp spots for Tennessee kids in foster care during National Foster Care Month.

“Earlier this month, Secretary of State Tre Hargett was one of the first to offer free spots for kids in foster care at the Tennessee State Library & Archives summer camp,” said Lee. “We thank Secretary Hargett for his generosity and welcome support from organizations across Tennessee.”

Organizations willing to donate a summer camp experience to kids in foster care should apply here.

Tennessee foster families who are interested in donated spaces should submit information here.

Additionally, during the month of May, more than 100 churches have partnered with Tennessee Fosters Hope by inviting their congregations to serve as foster families, offer support to foster families and provide training about trauma-based care.

“Champion Churches across Tennessee are engaging their congregations to support foster families in meaningful ways,” said Lee. “I commend their partnership and welcome more churches to join our mission to secure more permanent, loving homes for kids in foster care.”

Churches in every Tennessee community are invited to serve families through Tennessee Fosters Hope.

Individuals can also provide direct support to foster families by donating summer camp supplies to meet needs in their local communities.

Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced that, throughout the month of May, Tennessee will spotlight the state’s Grow Your Own initiative, which is inspiring the next generation of future teachers so that every student has access to a high-quality educator in their classroom.  

As a part of the department’s Best for All strategic plan, the Grow Your Own initiative aims to set a new path for the educator profession and for Tennessee to be the top state in which to become and remain a teacher and leader for all. For anyone who has dreamed of becoming a teacher or inspiring a young learner, the Tennessee Teacher Apprenticeship offers the pathway to become a teacher for free and is designed to recruit candidates from the community and for the community while addressing teacher shortages.

“Since the department first launched our Grow Your Own work in 2019, we have continued to pursue innovative opportunities and remove barriers for aspiring educators to enter the profession,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “Throughout May, we are excited to announce additional investments to scale the work statewide, share supporting resources for leveraging the Tennessee Teacher Apprenticeship model, and continue to inspire the next generation of future classroom leaders to accelerate students’ outcomes and opportunities.” 

Launched in March 2020, the Grow Your Initiative has 65 partnerships, which are between school districts and educator preparation programs at colleges or universities across Tennessee that offer free opportunities to become a teacher. Building on this foundation, the state pioneered a new way to develop teacher pipelines as the first state to be approved by the U.S. Department of Labor to establish a permanent Grow Your Own model. Tennessee was the first state in the country to sponsor Teacher Occupation Apprenticeship programs between school districts and Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs), with Clarksville-Montgomery County School System and Austin Peay State University’s program becoming the first registered apprenticeship program for teaching in the country.

Tennessee’s Teacher Apprenticeship provides a path to becoming an educator for participants spanning experience, background, and age.  

• High School Students – Students can enroll in an apprenticeship starting at age 16 and earn dual-enrollment credit through sequential Teaching as a Profession (TAP) classes. This helps candidates progress towards their bachelor’s degree while student teaching in a local school district.  
• College Students – Students enrolled in education majors at a college or university can pivot to an apprenticeship program that offers job-embedded opportunities, increasing wages, and an accelerated degree. Ultimately, they can complete their degree and program in three years or less, with no associated costs.  
• School-Staff Professionals – Paraprofessionals, instructional assistants, or other support staff based in a school can seamlessly become licensed teachers. Apprentices remain in the classroom, teaching in the district where they will get their degree – receiving increased pay and job-embedded support – all in three years or less.  
• Career Changers and Retirees – Community members may have an interest in teaching but do not want to take on the associated costs or time with returning to college. Instead, apprentices can complete outstanding coursework, meet required on-the-job hours, earn a living wage, and transition to the classroom full time. 

Many helpful resources for state and district leaders, education stakeholders and community members to create partnerships and get involved are available here including:  

• Grow Your Own: Tennessee’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program Playbook
• Grow Your Own: Tennessee’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program Workbook
• Tennessee’s Grow Your Own Apprenticeship Teaching Model PowerPoint
• Grow Your Own Case Study: The Clarksville- Montgomery Model
• Tennessee’s Teacher Apprenticeship Model Video: Lasting Solution for Educator Pipeline
• Tennessee Teacher Apprenticeship Model Video: TAP Programs

Drug Recognition Experts Remove Unsafe Drivers of Commercial Vehicles on I-65

Last month, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) partnered with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) to execute Operation Matrix, the state’s first initiative utilizing drug recognition experts to combat impaired driving of commercial vehicles.

“Our goal is to expand this operation at scale houses across Tennessee to ensure our highways are safe and free of impaired drivers operating commercial vehicles,” said THSO Director Buddy Lewis. “’Operation Matrix’ was highly successful resulting in new ideas for implementation in the future.”

This operation was conducted on April 20 at the Giles County Scale House located on I-65 North. Drug recognition experts from THP’s Lawrenceburg District 7 teamed with other troopers at the scale house to check for drivers who may be under the influence of impairing substances.

THP Colonel Matt Perry emphasized the importance of troopers applying their drug recognition training, stating, “The Tennessee Highway Patrol is proud to have multiple troopers each year receive the very valuable drug recognition training offered by the THSO. This training has aided our troopers time and time again in removing impaired drivers from the roads. Events like the one held at our commercial vehicle scale complex in Giles County should serve as an example to all law enforcement officers that impaired drivers are not just driving the everyday passenger car.”

Troopers working the operation successfully removed seven commercial drivers from the highways for various traffic violations and 12 commercial vehicles for safety violations. One drug recognition evaluation was performed along with an oral swab. This driver was placed under arrest for driving under the influence in a commercial vehicle.

A drug recognition expert is a law enforcement officer specially trained to recognize impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol. Drug recognition expert training is funded by the THSO and available to law enforcement officers who meet the requirements.

Upper Cumberland nonprofit organizations may now apply for the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Arts Build Communities (ABC) grants for art projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises. The Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD) administers ABC grants in the Upper Cumberland.

The ABC grant program offers up to $3,500 of support for projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises. Organizations must complete the grant application by 11:59 p.m. on July 1, 2022.

New and returning applicants are invited to attend training workshops about program requirements, the application process, and grant procedures on May 19, 2022, at 1 p.m. and June 8, 2022, at 10 a.m. Workshops will be held in the conference room at the UCDD office located at 1104 England Drive in Cookeville.

Applicants may contact Program and Evaluation Coordinators Paige Chastain and Hannah Carroll at 931-432-411 with questions.

To learn more about the Arts Build Communities grants visit www.tnartscommission.org

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Donny Green, in DeKalb and Cannon counties, reminds producers to report planted, prevented planted, and failed acres to establish or retain FSA program eligibility.

For planted crops, the following acreage reporting deadlines are applicable for DeKalb and Cannon counties for the 2022 crop year:

July 15:           corn, soybeans, cucumbers, okra, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, squash,
                        strawberries, tomatoes, watermelons, cantaloupes, peas, and perennial forage (hay and pasture)

July 31:           hemp

Aug. 15:          green beans

Dec.  15:          fall-seeded small grains (wheat)

The following exceptions apply to the above acreage reporting dates:

• If the crop has not been planted by the above acreage reporting date, the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.

• If a producer acquires additional acreage after the above acreage reporting date, the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendars days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.

• If a perennial forage crop is reported with the intended use of “cover only,” “green manure,” “left standing” or “seed,” the acreage must be reported by July 15, 2022.

Producers must report crop acreage they intended to plant but, due to natural disaster, were prevented from planting. Prevented planting acreage must be reported on form FSA-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date, as established by FSA and the Risk Management Agency. According to Green, the final planting date for corn is May 20, 2022 and the final planting date for soybeans is June 15, 2022.

Producers with failed acres should also use form FSA-576, Notice of Loss, to report failed acres. For losses on crops covered by the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program and crop insurance, producers must file a Notice of Loss within 15 days of the occurrence of the disaster or when losses become apparent. Producers must timely file a Notice of Loss for failed acres on all crops including grasses.

Please visit the DeKalb/Cannon County FSA office, or call 615-597-8225 to schedule an appointment to file your crop year 2022 crop acreage report.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (“TDCI”) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office join the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry to raise awareness among home and property owners regarding the importance of Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on Saturday, May 7, 2022.

Every year during the spring and fall seasons, wildfires occur across Tennessee. In 2021, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry responded to 660 wildfires that burned 7,170 acres on private and state-owned land. So far, in 2022, the Division has responded to 683 wildfires scarring over 10,500 acres. This is nearing the 10-year average of 750 fires burning 16,800 acres, though it’s only May.

On Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, fire departments, homeowners, and communities can learn about ways to protect personal property from the risk of wildfires. Created by the National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”), Wildfire Community Preparedness Day encourages people and organizations to come together on a single day to take action to raise awareness and reduce the risks of wildfire.

“After seeing the damages from the Sevier County wildfires in March, I know firsthand about the threat that wildfires pose to Tennesseans,” said TDCI Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Carter Lawrence. “I extend my condolences to all Tennesseans affected by this tragedy, and I encourage all home and property owners to take time during Wildfire Community Preparedness Day to evaluate their risks of wildfires and take steps to help prevent a fire that could have devastating consequences.” TDCI has recently shared an important insurance and consumer recovery bulletin for those affected by the Sevier County wildfires.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry is a proponent of wildfire hazard reduction programs.

Since 2022, the Division has partnered with NFPA and its federal partners to promote the Firewise USA Communities. The Division actively promotes Fire Adapted Communities — in which a multitude of programs and concepts work hand in hand to increase community wildfire safety.

“A community is better prepared for wildland fire when they understand their risk and take action to minimize that risk,” State Forester David Arnold said. “We must work together to ensure safety for residents, homes, businesses, parks, utilities, and other community assets. Maintaining 30 feet of defensible space that is clear of debris around your home is a great first step in protecting homes from small creeping ground fires or windblown burning embers.”

Research shows there are proven methods for preparing properties for withstanding the devastating impacts of a wildfire. During Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, consumers can take steps to protect their homes and families by eliminating vulnerabilities, particularly in the immediate 5-foot zone around a residence. Whether it is replacing wood chips with gravel or reimagining a home’s entire landscape design, the steps taken on Wildfire Community Preparedness Day can have a long-lasting impact.

Additionally, consumers should remember the following wildfire preparation tips:

• Rake and remove pine needles and dry leaves within a minimum of three to five feet of a home’s foundation. If you have the time, continue raking up to a 30-foot distance around the home. Dispose of collected debris in appropriate trash receptacles.
• Clean pine needles from your roof and gutters and pay attention to maintaining the home ignition zone.
• Using a measuring tape, see how close wood piles are located to your home. If they are closer than 30 feet, relocate them to at least 30 feet away from structures.
• Sweep porches and decks, clearing them of leaves and pine needles.Rake
• under decks, porches, sheds, and play structures.
• Mow grasses to a height of 4 inches or less.
• Remove items stored under decks and porches and relocate them to a storage shed, garage, or basement. Gasoline cans and portable propane tanks should never be stored indoors and should be located away from the home.

To help improve consumer fire safety at home, the State Fire Marshal’s Office began the “Get Alarmed, Tennessee!” program in 2012. Since its inception, over 254,000 smoke alarms have been distributed to Tennessee fire departments and partner organizations across Tennessee. So far, 328 residents have been alerted to fires in their homes and escaped without serious injury thanks to smoke alarms installed through the program. Consumers should contact their local fire department and ask if the department participates in the “Get Alarmed” program.

National Nurses Week begins May 6, and the Tennessee Department of Health is joining the recognition efforts to highlight and promote the work and dedication of public health nurses across Tennessee.

National Nurses Week establishes a specific time each year, May 6-12, to honor and acknowledge nurses and recognize the positive impact on the health care system across the country.

“I am thrilled to join the celebration during National Nurses Week,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “The work nurses perform day in and day out is tireless, and they deserve praise.”

The Tennessee Department of Health employs nurses across the state, serving in local health departments and clinics and leading public health programs. The department also supports the ongoing recruitment and retention of nurses through the administrative support of the Board of Nursing. The board’s administrative staff help to ensure applications for licensures and renewals are processed to keep the pipeline of nursing staff flowing to the health care infrastructure across the state.

To learn more about the Board of Nursing and the application process, visit https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/nursing-board/nursing-board/applications.html.