State education contracts: $936,500 outreach for child nutrition, special-education testing supports added

Tina Hammonds of the State Department of Education told the committee the department is seeking amendments to multiple contracts intended to support child nutrition outreach and classroom supports for special education.

Hammonds said Copperwing Design will handle statewide outreach to notify communities about meal locations, eligibility and services for summer feeding and other nutrition programs. The contractor’s amendment is priced at $936,500; committee members asked whether that expenditure was solely for notification and education. Hammonds replied that the outreach is required by federal rules tied to the program and includes push texts, media and targeted communications across platforms to reach eligible communities.

Hammonds also described an amendment with Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) to add a course-of-study component for special-education teachers to help prepare students for ACAP testing and to provide classroom resources. Both items were presented as necessary to meet federal program requirements and to support special-needs students and program access.

Committee members asked routine clarifying questions; no formal objections were recorded during the session.