Tag: Shelby County

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The Code Collective Trains Young Adults for Tech

Students practice coding in a CodeCrew class. (Photo courtesy of CodeCrew)

Last month, the Collective Blueprint and CodeCrew were the recipients of an NBA Foundation grant aimed at creating employment opportunities, improving career advancement, and boosting economic empowerment in Black communities. That recognition allowed the organizations to kick off a new partnership that combines their missions into one cohesive program. Called the Code Collective, the unique nine-month course will support young adults as they train to become entry-level software developers.

“It’s a natural partnership for us,” says Sabrina Dawson, co-founder and vice president of programs at the Collective Blueprint. “We believe in supporting the whole young adult, and we know that there are many circumstances that may prevent them from completing a program or their education. If we marry the schooling and instruction that CodeCrew does so well with the support we provide, it really turns into an organic partnership.”

Sabrina Dawson (photo courtesy the Collective Blueprint)

The nine-month program, which starts on June 14th, is available for Shelby County residents between the ages of 17 and 30. Applicants are those who have been out of work at some point in the past year, and must not be currently enrolled in any type of bachelor, associate, or certification program. They are also required to have a high school diploma or equivalent certification.

“We’re offering the software development education class, so you’re going to learn how to code, how to build various applications, and you’ll leave the program with a portfolio which you’ll be able to show to potential employers to showcase your skill set,” says Erin Johnson, CodeCrew’s code school program director. “There will be different modules that teach different skills. Think of it as a gradual process, like moving from a 101 to a 102 level class, and eventually up to 300 level courses.” 

To start out with, classes will be attended virtually. The only in-person interaction will be an interview as part of the application process. “But we’d like to get back in the classroom when COVID calms down,” continues Johnson, “so we’re making arrangements to make that happen.” Applicants will also have to participate in a one-day Code 101 workshop to be admitted, with the next available class taking place Saturday, May 29th.

While CodeCrew provides the technical expertise, the Collective Blueprint will be offering the full gamut of support services that the organization is known for. Each Code Collective participant will receive a monthly stipend of $400, access to a persistence coach, and counseling assistance with any barriers that may pop up during the program.

“That could include things like identifying tutoring support to helping with housing instability,” says Dawson. “We’ll also provide access to mental health support in the form of individual counseling or group/support counseling. We’re also giving them a network of mentors and professional support. Think exposure to work opportunities and job placement support and assistance.”

Who We Are | CodeCrew
Erin Johnson (photo courtesy CodeCrew)

The first cohort can accommodate up to 25 students. But Johnson and Dawson say that if there’s a massive influx of applications, their organizations may look at the feasibility of creating more classes. But for now, the Code Collective will at least have one annual cohort going forward.

“Workforce development is something that we’re both aligned with,” says Johnson. “We want to be able to provide economic and social mobility for young adults, and we also want to be able to better the city of Memphis and see economic mobility. We want to start making a greater impact. We’re both very interested in boosting and diversifying the workforce. We’re both excited about this program, so it’s something we look forward to continuing.”

Graduates of CodeCrew’s adult programs in the computer science field have an approximate annual starting salary of around $51,000.

Read more about the Code Collective Program here.

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Mask Mandate Likely to End Wednesday, Shots for Youth (12-15) Could Begin Thursday

Shelby County Health Department/Facebook

Leaders hinted (again) Tuesday that a new health directive expected Wednesday would make masks a recommendation, not a requirement, but said they expected to begin vaccinating those as young as 12 years old on Thursday. 

Leaders have hinted at an end to the mask mandate for weeks. Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris alluded to it again during a briefing from the Memphis Shelby County COVID-19 Task Force. 

He read the current health directive, which says ”if case numbers and other indicators remain stable over the next 30 days, the next health directive, which will be issued in May [12th] 2021, will shift from a mandatory approach to a recommendation approach [on masks].” Harris noted that the county’s virus numbers have remained stable for the last 30 days. But he would not say more as not to “get out in front of tomorrow’s announcement.”

“There is light at the end of the tunnel but we still have a long way to go,” Harris said.  

The new guidance expected Wednesday would end the department’s original county-wide mask mandate, which began in July. The Memphis City Council and Mayor Jim Strickland ordered a mask mandate inside the Memphis city limits in June.  

Tennessee never had a statewide mask mandate. But Gov. Bill Lee ended all public COVID-19 health orders late last month, which ended local authority for governments in 89 counties to issue mask mandates. 

At the same time, Lee requested counties with independent health departments (like Shelby) to end mask mandates no later than May 30. Knox, Hamilton, Sullivan, and Madison Counties already ended mandates. Shelby and Davidson Counties have not. 

“COVID-19 is now a managed public health issue in Tennessee and no longer a statewide public health emergency,” Lee said at the time. “As Tennesseans continue to get vaccinated, it’s time to lift remaining local restrictions, focus on economic recovery and get back to business in Tennessee.”

Shelby County’s COVID-19 cases have rebounded back to levels seen in early February. The latest average weekly positive rate reported (for the week of April 25th to May 1st) was 6.8 percent. That’s roughly the same rate reported at the end of May/beginning of June in 2020, though the rate is nowhere near the peaks of three surges the county experienced (11.8 percent in mid-April 2020, 12.7 percent in mid-July 2020, and the record-high 17.9 percent in late December 2020). 

Case rates could fall here, leaders said Tuesday, if they get the expected green light from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to begin vaccinating those as young as 12, a pool of about 50,000 in Shelby County. 

Doug McGowen, the city’s chief operating officer, said if the approval comes tomorrow, vaccines could go to children here Thursday. He said getting a vaccination is a “leadership opportunity” for young people.

“Young people have led the way in so many aspects of our lives through our history,” McGowen said. “This is an opportunity, again, for them to show the way and show they are ready to move on and … get vaccinated.” 

Demand for vaccinations is waning in Shelby County, he said. This will end many massive vaccinations sites around the county. While the Pipkin Building site will remain as a site, federal agencies will end their stints there on May 19th.

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Harris Proposes $1.4 Billion Budget Without Tax Hike

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. (Courtesy Shelby County Government).

One year after presenting a budget proposal that ended up being submitted to seemingly endless wrangling by the Shelby County Commission, County Mayor Lee Harris on Wednesday presented a budget proposal that almost certainly will be more gracefully received as the county’s legislative body prepares to begin its own deliberations.

Last year, facing a possible deficit, Harris proposed an increase in the county wheel tax that was not approved. His budget proposal for 2021-22, the third of his tenure, amounting to $1.4 billion in expenditures, contains no such proposed increase.

As Harris put it on Wednesday, April 21st, his proposal “contains no property tax increases, no cuts, gives a 1.5 percent pay raise to all our employees, and raises the minimum hourly wage for Shelby County government workers to $15.29 per hour.”

On Thursday, the Mayor’s office released a transcript that follows very closely the outlines of his remarks to the commission. It follows below. And, while his proposal seemed to be well received, the commission — both as individual members and as a body — will assuredly make an effort to put their own stamp on it before the beginning of the fiscal year in July. 

As Commissioner Reginald Milton said, serving notice, “This is more of a clarity issue. And I think that’s important we do this. The agenda item here says ‘Discussion of the 2022 budget presentation.’ That is incorrect. It is the 2022 proposed budget presentation. And as a legislative body it is important that we realize our role.  The mayor does not present a budget, he presents a  proposal, and we, as an elected body, will look it over and we will add and subtract from it as we see necessary as well. … We are part of this process. No budget is approved without this body’s inclusion. That’s why we were elected — to ensure that each of our districts are represented in the budget and their concerns are heard. With that said, Mr. Mayor, I am extremely impressed with what you said.”

The mayor promised the commissioners a printed copy of the budget before the commission’s next scheduled public meeting on May 5th, and, in response to their requests on Wednesday, he said he would also prepare an electronic version to be put online.

Meanwhile, here is how the mayor explained his budget proposal:

I’m pleased to say that the $1.4 billion proposed budget contains no property tax increases, no cuts, gives a 1.5 percent pay raise to all our employees and raises the minimum hourly wage for Shelby County Government workers to $15.29 per hour. 

Further, we have found a way to make strategic investments in education, public health, public safety and to make a substantial $19 million contribution to our rainy-day fund.

This budget follows a year like no other in our lifetimes.

We have all lived through one of the most difficult periods in Shelby County history. At the beginning of March 2020, there were virtually no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the entire United States. Almost overnight, this infectious and deadly pathogen spread across the country and invaded our community.

This past year has brought pain to Shelby County. More than 92,000 residents contracted COVID-19. Our unemployment rate peaked at 14.8 percent in July 2020 before retreating to 6.8 percent as of February 2021. Thanks to federal CARES funding, and a lot of work, we are able to blunt some of the negative economic effects of the pandemic.

But, there is still pain throughout our community. Therefore, I don’t believe this is the time to raise taxes. Too many in our county are still on the road to recovery. What’s more, our property tax rate is already one of the highest in the state.

Even without a tax increase, we will invest in education.

The budget continues to build on the historic and unprecedented work we began when we came into office and devoted more than $8 million to early childhood education. This year, like last year, we have allotted $8.5 million to Pre-K and early Pre-K. Over the last three years of my time in office, we have allocated more than $25 million in new dollars to Pre-K education.

Because of that historic investment, every child, regardless of income, has access to Pre-K. This is important.

The academic research and education professionals tell us that a sound education in the earliest years of life is the foundation that each child needs to build a life of success. And if our children succeed, so will our community.

This budget includes the full $427 million for schools in addition to $30 million in school construction funding for this year.

When it comes to public health, this budget ensures that we can continue the COVID response throughout the rest of this year. Although some of the worst aspects of COVID may have receded, we expect we will have to continue the course for just a while longer.

We plan to continue to fund the COVID response unit until this virus is defeated. We will need to maintain the full complement of personnel and assets that form the backbone of the COVID response unit and this budget proposal does that.

Also, in our ongoing commitment to public safety, our current plan invests $32 million over six years in the Shelby County Fire Department. The investment allows the department to hire 41 firefighters and purchase a variety of safety equipment and new technologies. This massive investment in public safety means that the fire department will be in a position to reduce the emergency response time for underserved areas in Shelby County.

There are two new fire stations planned, one is near South Cordova and another in Southeast Shelby County. The construction and equipment costs of $10 million are included in this budget proposal.

This week’s budget presentation only begins the process.

The budget will be reviewed by the County Commission. The other elected officials might request more funding. There could be additions or subtractions.

But for now, we are focused on a road to recovery. This proposed budget is Shelby County’s roadmap to take us into our 203rd year.

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Infographic: Virus Cases Elevated From Last Week

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Official Predicts “Boom for Mosquito Season”

Shelby County Health Department

As harsh winter weather made a mess and broke water mains last month, optimists may have hoped that it, at least, might cut back the mosquito population this summer. According to health officials here, that hope is misplaced. 

Kasia Smith-Alexander, adminstrator of the Environmental Health division of the Shelby County Health Department, said the winter snow and ice likely helped to grow the mosquito population here. 

“We are having a lot of water and moisture,” said Smith-Alexander. “So, we are anticipating more breeding of mosquitos because we’ll have more areas for them to lay their eggs, for them to continue their life cycle. 

“We are anticipating there will be more of a boom for the mosquito season this year because of all the melting of the snow. And days like today with more rain, that will give them ample opportunity to replicate.”

As for freezing temperatures killing off vast populations of mosquitos, Smith-Alexander said it doesn’t always happen. Mosquitos like warmer weather, anything over 80 degrees, she said. But some species of female mosquitos can find small holes or crevices and hibernate up to six months, she said. 

The year’s mosquito forecast for the Southeast is expected to be average or slightly above average, according to the nonprofit pests.org website. Experts with the site analyzed weather data and made their predictions based on forecasts of a wetter summer in which temperatures will be average or slightly higher than average. 

”Mosquito season will start around mid-February to early April, depending how far north your state is in the region,” reads the report. “For example, South Florida’s mosquito season will have started in February while Tennessee’s mosquito season will start around the beginning of April once the temperatures are more consistently warm.”

To battle mosquitos in Shelby County, Smith-Alexander said crews here find stagnant water — like in puddles and ditches — and use larvicide, granules of pesticide to kill mosquito babies.  

“This time of the year, we tell people to look at their bird baths,” she said. “If you have or a neighbor has a dilapidated pool, by all means contact us and we’ll come out and verify whether or not [mosquito larva are present]. If there are mosquito larva in the water, we’ll treat that water. This is something we do all the time, 12 months of the year just trying to make sure we are putting down something to help with the mosquito population.”

Memphians may be more familiar with the mosquito trucks that pass by, puffing a white fog into the air. Smith-Alexander said those those trucks aren’t there because “we have an exorbitant amount of mosquitos” in the area. Those trucks fog in areas where West Nile Virus has been detected in the mosquito population, she said. 

For citizens, Smith-Alexander recommends using an insect repellent containing DEET. Also, wear breathable, light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you plan to be outside at dusk or dawn. Also, she suggested to look around houses for anything that may be holding water, like old tires or planters. 

She said her office has had complaints of large mosquitos inside some houses this year. Those are crane flies, Smith-Alexander said. They do resemble mosquitos but don’t bite. However, they also don’t eat mosquitos as some believe, she said.    

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State to Allow Vaccination of All Adults

(Credit: Dreamstime)

If you’re an adult in Shelby County, you will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, beginning Monday, March 22nd. The Tennessee Health Department announced today that the state’s counties would be free to vaccinate anyone, as long as there was an adequate supply of vaccines.

The state of Mississippi made a similar decision earlier this week, and many local residents had been traveling across the state line to get vaccinated. That will no longer be necessary.

The Tennessee Health Department’s decision was made directly in the wake of requests late this week from Shelby County and Memphis officials to lower or eliminate the age and occupational requirements set to qualify for a vaccine.

From the state’s health department’s announcement: “As Tennessee continues working to protect those most at risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19 and provide vaccinations as quickly as possible, counties may progress through each of the phases as vaccine supply allows.”

The state health department stated that further details on its announcement would be provided on Monday.

In a tweet, County Mayor Lee Harris applauded the news and asked local residents to take advantage of the state’s decision: “I urge everyone — meaning every adult in Shelby County — to get the shot, and make the case to neighbors and loved ones about the importance of taking the vaccine.”

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104 New Virus Cases Reported

New virus case numbers rose by 104 over the last 24 hours. The new cases put the total of all positive cases in Shelby County since March 2020 at 89,271.

Total current active cases of the virus — the number of people known to have COVID-19 in the county — is 1,043. The number reached a record high of more than 8,000 in late December. The new active case count represents 1.2 percent of all cases of the virus reported here since March 2020.

As of Friday, March 12th, in Shelby County, 200,865 COVID-19 vaccine doses had been given. As of Friday, 63,098 people had been given two doses for full vaccination, and 137,767 had been given a single dose.

The Shelby County Health Department reported that 3,458 tests have been given in the last 24 hours. So far, 1,050,837 tests have been given here since March 2020. This figure includes multiple tests given to some people.

The latest reported positivity rate declined. The average number of positive cases (reported from February 21st to March 6th) was 3.2 percent. That’s down from the 5 percent of average cases recorded the week before. A record-high of 17.9 percent was reported in late December.

No new deaths were reported over the last 24 hours. The total death toll now stands at 1,533.

The average age of those who have died in Shelby County is 73, according to the health department. The age of the youngest COVID-19 death was 13. The oldest person to die from the virus was 103.

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New Virus Cases Rise by 112

New virus case numbers rose by 112 over the last 24 hours. The new cases put the total of all positive cases in Shelby County since March 2020 at 89,167.

Total current active cases of the virus — the number of people known to have COVID-19 in the county — is 1,106. The number reached a record high of more than 8,000 in late December. The new active case count represents 1.2 percent of all cases of the virus reported here since March 2020.

As of Thursday, March 11th, in Shelby County, 194,116 COVID-19 vaccine doses had been given. As of Thursday, 61,800 people had been given two doses for full vaccination, and 132,316 had been given a single dose.

The Shelby County Health Department reported that 3,744 tests have been given in the last 24 hours. So far, 1,047,379 tests have been given here since March 2020. This figure includes multiple tests given to some people.

The latest reported weekly positivity rate declined. (Weekly positivity rate for the week of February 28th has not yet been released.) The average number of positive cases for the week of February 21st was 5 percent. That’s down from the 7 percent of average cases recorded the week before. A record-high of 17.9 percent was reported in late December.

Four new deaths were reported over the last 24 hours. The total death toll now stands at 1,533.

The average age of those who have died in Shelby County is 73, according to the health department. The age of the youngest COVID-19 death was 13. The oldest person to die from the virus was 103.

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Number of Two-Dose Vaccine Recipients Tops 60,000

New virus case numbers rose by 106 over the last 24 hours. The new cases put the total of all positive cases in Shelby County since March 2020 at 89,055.

Total current active cases of the virus — the number of people known to have COVID-19 in the county — is 1,151. The number reached a record high of more than 8,000 in late December. The new active case count represents 1.3 percent of all cases of the virus reported here since March 2020.

As of Wednesday, March 10th, in Shelby County, 187,227 COVID-19 vaccine doses had been given. As of Wednesday, 60,402 people had been given two doses for full vaccination, and 126,825 had been given a single dose.

The Shelby County Health Department reported that 1,866 tests have been given in the last 24 hours. So far, 1,043,605 tests have been given here since March 2020. This figure includes multiple tests given to some people.

The latest reported weekly positivity rate declined. (Weekly positivity rate for the week of February 28th has not yet been released.) The average number of positive cases for the week of February 21st was 4.9 percent. That’s down from the 7 percent of average cases recorded the week before. A record-high of 17.8 percent was reported in late December.

Two new deaths were reported over the last 24 hours. The total death toll in Shelby County now stands at 1,529.

The average age of those who have died in Shelby County is 73, according to the health department. The age of the youngest COVID-19 death was 13. The oldest person to die from the virus was 103.

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41 New COVID Cases Reported

New virus case numbers rose by 41 over the last 24 hours. The new cases put the total of all positive cases in Shelby County since March 2020 at 88,949.

Th total number of current active cases of the virus — the number of people known to have COVID-19 in the county — is 1,258. The number reached a record high of more than 8,000 in late December and only rose above 2,000 in October. The new active case count represents 1.4 percent of all cases of the virus reported here since March 2020.

As of Tuesday, March 9th, in Shelby County, 182,789 COVID-19 vaccine doses had been given. As of Tuesday, 59,108 people had been given two doses for full vaccination, and 123,681 had been given a single dose.

The Shelby County Health Department reported that 651 tests have been given in the last 24 hours. So far, 1,041,739 tests have been given here since March 2020. This figure includes multiple tests given to some people.

The latest reported weekly positivity rate declined. (Weekly positivity rate for the week of February 28th has not yet been released.) The average number of positive cases for the week of February 21st was 4.9 percent. That’s down from the 7 percent of average cases recorded the week before. A record-high of 17.8 percent was reported in late December.

No new deaths were reported over the last 24 hours. The total death toll now stands at 1,527.

The average age of those who have died in Shelby County is 73, according to the health department. The age of the youngest COVID-19 death was 13. The oldest person to die from the virus was 103.