Lee Visits Leaders to Discuss State’s Progress in Serving Disability Community
News, Press Release October 14, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Gov. Lee met with leaders in the disability community to discuss how Tennessee is leading in providing supports to individuals with disabilities. The visits included discussion around landmark technology being used in Tennessee to support adults seeking greater independence and an update on Tennessee’s strides in providing employment opportunities to those with disabilities.
The Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and TennCare are working with Core Services in the Tri-Cities area to utilize Enabling Technology to support those with disabilities in reaching their independence goals, leading to less reliance on paid-supports and overall greater quality of life.
Tennessee’s Employment First Task Force also presented the 2021 “Expect Employment” Report at Access ETSU’s inclusive higher education program which details the progress made in providing high-quality employment opportunities to individuals with disability. ETSU is one of six higher education institutions across the state with an inclusive post-secondary program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. More than 80 percent of graduates from these programs are successfully employed.
“Now more than ever, there is a high demand to recruit, hire and retain quality employees across the state,” said Lee. “People of all abilities are needed in our workforce as we continue to see our economy grow. I’m proud of the work our state agencies and private partners are doing to prepare people with disabilities for employment and engage businesses across the state.”
The Employment First Task Force developed a goal in 2018 to reduce the statewide employment gap between people with and without disabilities by 5 percent by 2023. Highlights of the progress detailed in the 2021 report include:
- Reducing the employment gap between people with and without disabilities by 1.7 percent
- Passage of State as a Model Employer (SAME) Legislation, which seeks to make Tennessee State Government a model employer of people with disabilities
- Creation of the Tennessee Believes Program, which will increase access to inclusive higher education opportunities at colleges and universities across the state
- Utilizing virtual reality to deliver pre-employment services to Tennesseans with disabilities throughout the pandemic
“There is dignity in a paycheck, and we know thousands of people with disabilities are ready to go to work today,” said Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) Commissioner Brad Turner. “We are engaging with more employers than ever about this largely untapped pool of talent, and my team and our community partners are working tirelessly to help connect potential employees and employers in all corners of the state.”
Recognizing the vital role the disability community plays in the Tennessee workforce, families and communities, Gov. Lee has prioritized services for those with disabilities in many ways. Key highlights include:
- Making Tennessee the first state in the nation to prioritize people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Phase 1a1 of its vaccination plan leading to an early and drastic decrease in COVID infections among the disability community.
- Launching five Tennessee START Assessment and Stabilization Teams (TN START AST) statewide to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have complex behavioral or mental health needs.
- Expanding the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) program to record-breaking levels in order to serve children from birth until their third birthday with developmental delays and disabilities.
- Enrolling more than 1000 children in the Katie Beckett Program for children with disabilities and/or complex medical needs who are not currently Medicaid eligible because of their parent’s income or assets since it opened for applications in late November 2020.
Gov. Lee Sets Expectation of Student-Centered Investments from Federal Education Funds
News, Press Release April 12, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn and members of the General Assembly urged school districts to ensure federal education funding goes directly toward student achievement. Tennessee has received nearly $4.5 billion in federal COVID-19 relief stimulus funding allocated specifically for K-12 education.
“By using these funds wisely and returning to in-person learning, we have the opportunity to set our students up for decades of success,” said Gov. Lee. “I appreciate the General Assembly passing common-sense provisions that ensure we stay focused on progress, not punishment as teachers, schools and districts get back on their feet after serious disruption.”
This funding should focus on the following priority areas:
- Early reading, tutoring, and summer programming with a focus on phonics
- Student readiness supports including ACT preparation
- Expanding access to advanced coursework
- CTE equipment and programs
- Innovative models for K-12 mental health supports
- Teacher recruitment and retention
- Deferred maintenance for facilities
- Technology for devices and high-speed internet
- Serving special needs and low-income students
This significant funding creates opportunities for districts to invest in the success of Tennessee students to not only combat learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic but also accelerate achievement for all students across the state. Districts are encouraged to specifically focus on literacy and recent learning loss outlined in the legislation passed during the special legislative session focused on education.
“Tennessee K-12 districts and schools are receiving an historic amount of funding from the federal government, and as a result have both an incredible opportunity and responsibility to spend this funding to demonstrate how strong student-centered investments can generate positive outcomes and a growth in academic achievement for all children,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “This funding implores us to invest strategically, implement with fidelity, and report on quantifiable outcomes transparently.”
After three rounds of federal COVID-19 stimulus funding, Tennessee’s K-12 schools will benefit from nearly $4.5 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds.
The Tennessee Department of Education has provided districts with resources and guidance for their planning and implementation to invest in a small number of high-impact items, within a cohesive and aligned strategy, that are most critical for students as they progress through their education and into their careers.
The Department has urged districts to allocate a minimum of one percent of their allocations to fund staffing support for the ongoing reporting, monitoring, and public transparency requirements associated with this funding.
District-level allocations for each round of federal funding are available here: round 1 (ESSER 1.0), round 2 (ESSER 2.0), and round 3 (ESSER 3.0).
Gov. Lee and FSAG actions protected Tennessee jobs
News, Press Release September 21, 2020
NASHVILLE, Tenn. –Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group (FSAG) proactively invested Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars into the state’s unemployment trust fund, protecting employees and businesses across the state.
Based on newly-released projections from the University of Tennessee’s Boyd Center, the tax premiums paid by the state’s employers would have increased by at least 300% in 2021 had these resources not been invested early.
Additionally, Tennessee businesses would have had their unemployment taxes raised by $837 million. Employer premiums would have also remained elevated for several years, placing an enormous burden on businesses. Tennessee would have transitioned from enjoying the lowest taxable wage base and tax table as of January 2020 to the highest in 2021.
“Preserving Tennessee’s thriving economy has been one of my top priorities throughout this pandemic,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “I thank the members of the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group for fiercely defending our Tennessee businesses and workers from the consequences of a significant tax hike.”
“From the beginning of the pandemic, Tennessee’s state government made decisions that were thoughtful, forward-thinking and ultimately pivotal,” said Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge). “The decision to immediately use federal Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars to bolster our unemployment trust fund protected workers, prevented possible tax increases and will allow employers to continue to hire as our economy recovers and grows. Tennessee’s commitment to fiscal responsibility held firm under fire. I am grateful to Governor Lee, Commissioner Eley and all members of the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group — representing both parties and both houses of the General Assembly — for their excellent work in protecting Tennessee’s businesses and workers.”
“Tennessee’s philosophies are just different than many other states; we want businesses to grow and to thrive. Our goal is to maintain a healthy economic environment that not only creates jobs, but also encourages businesses to prosper. That’s why we are the second-best state in America to do business in,” said House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville). “The Financial Stimulus Accountability Group’s investment in our Unemployment Trust Fund is one of many ways we are continuing to support businesses during these difficult times by ensuring they aren’t penalized by burdensome tax increases. While other states are looking at raising taxes, in Tennessee, we are for lessening their tax burdens.”
Any increase in taxes, during an already difficult time for the state’s employers, could have led to increased job losses across the state. By not raising taxes, Gov. Lee and the FSAG are helping employers rebound from the economic impacts of COVID-19 while continuing to employ and hire Tennesseans.
Unemployment
The Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced today that Tennessee’s unemployment rate dropped to 8.5% in August, a staggering 7% lower than in April and 1.2% lower than in July.
Beginning October 4, work search requirements for individuals seeking unemployment funds from the state will resume. Additional information can be found from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Connecting Tennesseans With Jobs
Thousands of businesses across Tennessee are ready to help the state’s economy rebound by reemploying out of work individuals. Jobs4TN.gov, Tennessee’s workforce development website, currently has over 200,000 open positions for all job skill levels.
The more than 80 American Job Centers across Tennessee are open for business and offering job-seekers free personalized assistance with job procurement. The Tennessee Talent Exchange tool can quickly match individuals with available jobs in the grocery, retail and logistics industries as well.
Apprenticeships
Registered apprenticeships are a beneficial tool for those looking to change careers, acquire a new skillset, or obtain on the job training. There have been a record number of apprenticeships launched this year in more than 40 Tennessee counties.
Small Business Relief
More than 40,000 small business owners across 60 different industries qualify for the Tennessee Business Relief Program. Eligible businesses have until September 25, 2020, to confirm their information with the Department of Revenue in order to receive a relief payment between $2,500 and $30,000 in no-cost funds from the state. Small businesses can use the Department’s digital tool to determine eligibility.