The Tennessee Joint Committee on Fiscal Review convened on July 1, 2025, to discuss several key contracts aimed at enhancing emergency services and educational support across the state. A significant decision made during the meeting was the approval of an amendment to the contract with Virtual Academy, which provides an online training platform for 911 telecommunicators. The committee approved the purchase of 1,000 licenses for the National Emergency Number Association's telecommunicator core competencies certification course at a cost of $239 per license. This move will relieve local 911 districts of training costs, as the state will cover the expenses through the $9.01 1 fee, rather than the general fund.

In addition to the training contract, the committee also approved a $4 million amendment to the contract with Horn LLP. This funding will support the administration of $85 million in federal highway dollars, specifically for disaster recovery efforts in Northeast Tennessee. The contract aims to streamline recovery processes following severe weather events that impacted the region in recent years.

The Department of Education presented multiple contracts, including a new 26-month agreement with the Council for Professional Recognition for child development associate credential materials, totaling $55,555,230. This contract is crucial for ensuring that early childhood classrooms meet state staffing requirements.

Furthermore, the committee approved a contract with Teachstone Inc. for training components related to the CDA credential, amounting to $635,650. These initiatives are part of ongoing efforts to enhance educational standards and support for early childhood educators in Tennessee.

The meeting concluded with the approval of a contract for the Department of Children's Services, which will transition to a new reporting service to improve monitoring of service delivery in child welfare. This contract, valued at $860,154, is part of a broader strategy to enhance data management and service efficiency within the department.

Overall, the decisions made during this meeting reflect a commitment to improving emergency response training and educational support, ultimately benefiting communities across Tennessee.