News

A Murfreesboro woman is charged with TennCare fraud and theft of services for allegedly giving false information in order to enroll herself and her three children in TennCare.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), partnering with the Rutherford CountySheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Jordan Miller, 26. Investigators say Miller falsely reported her marital status, failing to report that her husband lived with the family. Their combined income would have made them ineligible for TennCare. As a result, officials say TennCare paid $25,653.44 on their behalf for healthcare benefits.

“The TennCare program is designed to provide benefits for individuals who need the services and rightfully qualify,” Inspector General, Kim Harmon said. “The OIG continues to investigate and pursue prosecution of individuals who purposefully deplete TennCare resources.”

Theft of services is a class C felony and TennCare fraud is a class D felony. If convicted, Miller could be sentenced to a maximum of 27 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by District Attorney General Jennings H. Jones of Rutherford County.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated over 5,760 criminal cases leading to more than $10.8 million ordered in restitution to TennCare.  This has helped lead to a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to the latest figures. To date, 3,149 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

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.”

Progress on bringing the Adams Office Building into compliance with the State Fire Marshall’s guidelines filled the bulk of the recessed meeting of the Cannon County Commission. Three areas are in need of correction, decommission of the sprinkler system, the cane fiber tiles and the fire alarm connected and functioning.

County Executive Brent Bush reported that the work on capping the sprinkler heads in underway.  At the current rate all of the heads could be sealed by mid-March.   

Contractors reviewed the cane fiber issue with the building.  Three expressed an interest in the project, so far only one has submitted a bid.  The contractor believes it will take 44-thousand dollars to seal the tiles with a flame-retardant material.

The fire alarm system is awaiting a review from the contractor who provides the same services for the county’s schools.

The next deadline for the county is in March and it was the consensus of the commissioners they believe a positive update will be reported to the State Fire Marshall.

It’s time to purchase your new hunting and fishing license. The new 2020-21 Tennessee hunting and fishing licenses are now on sale, with over one million licenses expected to be purchased in the coming year. All current yearly Tennessee hunting and fishing licenses expire Feb. 29.

Licenses are available online anytime at www.GoOutdoorsTennessee.com, on the TWRA “On the Go App,” or at one of more than 700 license agents across the state. You can now select to auto-renew your license and never worry about your license expiring again. Customers can also purchase new design of the collector’s card for any annual license. This waterproof, durable card features paintings by Tennessee artist Abraham Hunter. Customers may choose between two new designs, a brook trout or a pair of gobblers.

If you like wildlife of any kind, you should thank a hunter or fisherman. Without them, we would not have the abundance of fish and wildlife that Tennesseans all enjoy.

Hunters and anglers have been funding Tennessee’s and the nation’s wildlife conservation for more than100 years through license purchases. One-hundred percent of hunting and fishing license fees go to support wildlife conservation in Tennessee. What’s more, a license purchase returns taxes paid on firearms, archery equipment, fishing gear and boat fuel to Tennessee at a rate of up to $40 per year so a license purchase is a great investment. This successful funding system is the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration program which is the largest driver of wildlife conservation nationwide. Support Tennessee wildlife and buy your 2020-21 licenses now!

The Child Advocacy Center is pleased to announce that Amanda Hammond has been hired as the new Cannon County Coordinator.  Hammond replaces Cassell Galligan-Davis, who is the new director at the Warren County Child Advocacy Center.

“I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve children and families in Cannon County,” Amanda Hammond said. “I grew up in a small town and everyone has made me feel right at home in Woodbury.”

Hammond will work with the Cannon County Child Protective Investigative Team to provide crisis intervention services to child abuse victims, child sexual abuse victims, drug endangered children, and their non-offending parents and grandparents.

“Amanda Hammond brings a wealth of social work and educational experience to this position,” said Child Advocacy Center director Sharon De Boer.  She was employed by the Department of Children’s Services for 13 years as a Foster Care Case Manager, Data Coordinator for the Davidson County region, and she managed the Foster Care Review Board process for the entire region. 

Hammond has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and a Masters of Business Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University.  She has a Master’s Degree in Sociology from Western Kentucky University.  She was an Adjunct Sociology Professor for 10 years at Nashville State Community College.

“We have a dedicated group of professionals in Cannon County that respond to child abuse cases from the Department of Children’s Services, Woodbury Police Department, Cannon Sheriff’s Department, Juvenile Court, Youth Services, and the District Attorney’s Office,” stated Cannon County Coordinator Amanda Hammond.  “I am very excited to have an opportunity to work as a team with them.”

“The Child Advocacy Center has helped many Cannon County families the last 14 years,” stated Child Advocacy Center director De Boer.  “Last year, the Center served 328 clients, including 166 child abuse victims and 162 non-offending parents and grandparents.  We are grateful for the local support that helped us hire Amanda full-time to make a difference in the lives of Cannon Counties youngest and most vulnerable victims of crime—child abuse victims, child sexual abuse victims, and children whose parents have an alcohol or drug problem.”

Eighty percent of the Child Advocacy Center’s funding comes from grant sources, and the other 20% of funding comes from the generous Cannon County community.  Hammond’s position is funded by the Federal Victims of Crime Act grant, United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, and the community support for the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center through fundraising events like Cannon Runs for Children, Summer Santa, and the annual fundraising letter.  “Local community support has helped up provide all services to Cannon County children and families free of charge,” concluded De Boer.

If your family is struggling with child abuse, child sexual abuse, or issues with alcohol and drug addiction please contact me at the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center,” said Amanda Hammond.  “We are here to help!”

For more information about the services to child abuse victims, if your family needs help, or you want to get involved in the Cannon Runs for Children or one of the other fundraising events, please contact Amanda Hammond at the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center at (615) 563-9915, or ahammond@cannoncac.org. 

Parents have a valuable opportunity to influence their children’s use of substances if they approach the conversation in early middle school grades, but these conversations are only happening for about half of Tennessee youth.  That is one of the primary takeaways highlighted by the first-ever TN Together Student Survey.

The TN Together Student Survey asked students about their use of and related attitudes and behaviors surrounding prescription drugs, alcohol, marijuana, tobacco (including e-cigarettes), and other drugs.  Approximately half of students surveyed said their parents had talked to them about tobacco and other drug use, but only about a third had discussed the dangers of prescription drug misuse.  Across all substances, the average age of first use was 13 to 14 years old.

“We know that parents play a huge role in reducing youth substance use.  The data from this survey shows that there are a lot of children making risky decisions without ever hearing from their parents,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams, LCSW. “While the conversation isn’t easy for parents or kids, the results can be life-changing.”

The TN Together Student Survey was administered to 21,766 students in grades 8, 10, and 12 across 28 Tennessee counties.  The results were weighted to represent statewide populations in those grades. 

Measures also included perceived risk and perceived parental and peer approval of substance use.  While the majority of students responded that they regarded significant risk associated with smoking cigarettes or with misusing prescription drugs, fewer students perceived significant risk associated with using E-Cigarettes (JUUL and other devices).  Additionally, students perceived lower parental and peer disapproval associated with using e-cigarettes than with most other substances.  Correspondingly, more students reported using E-Cigarettes in the past 30 days than any other substance examined.

“We know vaping is prevalent among Tennessee teens and have serious concerns about the risk this poses to those who use e-cigarettes and vaping products,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP.  “As a pediatrician and a mother, I want to remind our youth that there is no ‘safe’ form of smoking or vaping, and that use of any product that contains nicotine can lead to addiction and severe health consequences.”

“We believe the Tennessee Department of Education’s strategic plan, Best for All, aligns with the findings from this survey by focusing on the whole child and character education.  We know how critical this work is for the well-being of our children, and look forward to collaborating with our fellow government agencies to address these needs,” said Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn, Ph.D.

On questions that asked if students had ever used each substance, alcohol is the most frequently used substance among youth with 40% of students saying they have consumed it.  Similarly, researchers asked students to report how easy it is for them to obtain various substances.  Students answered that alcohol and tobacco products were the most accessible substances with around 2 in 3 saying they could easily obtain either.  Approximately half of students said it was “very easy” or “fairly easy” for them to gain access to prescription drugs or marijuana.

Because the 2018-19 TN Together Student Survey is the first biannual survey of its kind, it is important to examine recent trends in youth substance use for context.  Comparing Tennessee-specific results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and national averages for the same time period, Tennessee youth misuse alcohol and marijuana at lower rates than national averages.  Looking at state-specific statistics over time, Tennessee youth are misusing alcohol, tobacco, and pain relievers at lower rates than in 2011-2012. 

The TN Together Student Survey was conducted in partnership with the state’s Substance Abuse Prevention Coalitions.  TDMHSAS funds 46 coalitions covering about 75% of Tennessee residents.  Learn more about preventing substance use in your home by reaching out to the coalition in your area: More info at this link.

If you or a loved one needs treatment for substance use disorder, help is available.  Please call the TN REDLINE at 800-889-9789 for a free and confidential referral to addiction treatment services.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP).

“Tennessee’s diverse landscape is home to a wide variety of farms, and many of those grow the specialty crops supported through the SCBGP,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “We’re proud to administer this program and support research, education, marketing, and innovative projects that will have long-term impact on Tennessee’s specialty crop sector.”

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture administers the grants, which are authorized through the USDA. SCBGP funds are granted to enhance production and competitiveness of specialty crops, including fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, tree nuts, honey, floriculture, and other nursery crops.

Universities, institutions, cooperatives, producers, and industry or community-based organizations may submit a proposal for funding. The program aims to support projects that directly affect multiple Tennessee producers and have a positive, long-lasting impact on Tennessee agriculture.

Previous grant funding assisted Agricenter International to conduct research on developing sustainable practices for growing hops in Tennessee. The non-profit research hub planted three acres of hops in 2019, and they are evaluating how different varieties perform in the local climate.

“Our mission at Agricenter International is to advance knowledge and understanding of agriculture,” Agricenter International Director of Farm and Research Dr. Bruce Kirksey said. “With the recent interest in growing local and the Pick Tennessee Products campaign, Agricenter chose to conduct research in the area of hop production in Tennessee. This project will provide meaningful agronomic data to growers in Tennessee who are interested in growing hops for the local craft beer market.“

Eligible individuals and organizations must submit proposals using the 2020 project template. The project template, performance measures, and information required to apply are available online at www.tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/business-development/scbg.html.

Proposals are due by March 16 and should be submitted by email to tn.scbg@tn.gov. First-time recipients have a funding limit of $25,000. Early submission is encouraged.

For more information about the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, email tn.scbg@tn.gov.

State Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) has filed legislation (SB-2069) to allow local governments in Tennessee to conduct their own special census to include unborn children in their population. Since local governments receive state dollars based on population size, Pody says this legislation will benefit local governments by putting them in a position to receive more funds from the state.

“Even though a child might not yet be born, that life will certainly add to the population size and impact the community,” said Pody. “Not only will it cost money to educate that child, but that life will also increase costs for infrastructure, healthcare and other services. This legislation simply gives local governments the opportunity to prepare for the arrival of that child and ensure they have the proper funds to meet the needs of the community.”

Though the federal census is conducted every ten years, some Tennessee cities with fast growing populations have opted to conduct a special census. The purpose of an interim census is to get a more accurate population count, which can dramatically change in only a few years. For instance, the cities of Lebanon and Gallatin grew by over 8.5 percent from 2017 – 2018, according to the Tennessee State Data Center.

“Cities and towns, especially in the Nashville area, are growing rapidly, and experts project these trends will continue,” said Pody. “It is important for city planners and local officials working to provide services in these communities to have the most accurate population count possible, and this legislation will support those efforts.”

Pody also says the bill is in line with Tennessee values, which recognizes an unborn child as a person.

“If we believe an unborn child is a person, and I certainly do, then the life of that child deserves to be counted in the population,” said Pody.

The legislation has been referred to the Senate State and Local Government Committee, where it will be considered in the coming weeks.

More than 200 electric co-op leaders from across Tennessee, including directors and staff from Middle Tennessee Electric, were in Nashville last week, asking for commonsense rules to protect the state’s electric lineworkers. Over 100 individual meetings with legislators were scheduled during the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s 2020 Legislative Conference.

When not installed properly, generation sources such as solar panels, wind turbines and gas generators that feed power to the grid can pose a real threat to the safety of lineworkers, first responders and the general public. Co-ops asked lawmakers to support SB 1991 and HB 1923, legislation that would require property owners installing a generation source to notify their local utility, comply with basic electric safety codes and install a switch that would allow lineworkers and first responders to disconnect the generation source in an emergency. Tennessee is one of only three states that does not have similar requirements in place.

“We want to help our members invest in new energy technology, but the interest of safety demands that any interconnected generation be properly installed,” says Chris Jones, President & CEO of Middle Tennessee Electric. “This legislation is a simple and practical effort that will go a long way to protect lineworkers, first responders and the general public.”

In addition to the lineworker safety legislation, co-ops also discussed other important topics.

Lawmakers were asked to support legislation that would allow certain utility-owned vehicles to display the Powering Tennessee specialty license plate that was introduced by the state in 2019. Proceeds from the plates support the Tennessee Lineworker Lifeline Fund, a nonprofit organization established to support lineworkers and their families.

Co-op representatives also shared information on broadband projects and encouraged lawmakers to support additional funding for rural broadband expansion.

“Every day, legislators make decisions that can impact the important work we do,” said David Callis, executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “Visits like these provide us with valuable opportunities to educate lawmakers about co-ops and our communities. We appreciate co-op consumer-members and employees who take time away from family and work to meet with their elected officials. They help us tell the co-op story.”

Middle Tennessee Electric is local, not-for-profit electric cooperative providing electricity to more than 500,000 middle Tennessee residents via 230,000 residential and business accounts in Cannon and three other counties.

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A qualified and skilled workforce is crucial to Tennessee’s continued economic success. To ensure there is a pipeline of workers for Tennessee businesses, the state has launched a comprehensive program to raise awareness about the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships. 

ApprenticeshipTN is a major initiative to increase the number of skilled employees available within Tennessee’s workforce.

To help promote the program, the state has developed a new website; ApprenticeshipTN.com. 

The site is a gateway to information about Registered Apprenticeship programs in Tennessee. It provides all the information needed to explore the process and to find out how to become involved in a program.

An Apprenticeshipis a proven training program that is used as a talent development strategy for recruiting, training and retaining world-class talent and has been used in industry for decades. Apprenticeships are registered and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor.  

During the program, apprentices have supervised on-the-job training, along with job-related education, all while earning a wage that increases during the progression of the program. Registered Apprenticeships are designed for full-time positions with an employer.

“Apprenticeship is a tried and true method to develop and maintain qualified employees,” said Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Jeff McCord. “This new program will help both employers and employees realize the benefits of apprenticeships.”

As part of this initiative, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development has established an apprenticeship organization, which will soon have a regional director in each grand division of the state. These apprenticeship directors will work directly with employers, higher education institutions, community groups, trade organizations, and other state agencies to develop and implement new registered apprenticeship programs.

Even before the official launch, ApprenticeshipTN has already helped facilitate eleven new Registered Apprenticeship programs, with more than 200 apprentices, since October in both traditional and non-traditional industry sectors.

ApprenticeshipTN is powered by the Tennessee Workforce Development System steering team. This group consists of seven state agencies working together to help grow Tennessee’s skilled workforce. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), Department of Education, Department of Economic and Community Development, Department of Human Services, and Department of Correction each play a critical role in the ApprenticeshipTN program.

For more information on Registered Apprenticeship programs in Tennessee, visit www.ApprenticeshipTN.com