Children's Services

Federal Court Denies Challenge to State's Over-commitment Law

NASHVILLE -- U.S. District Court Judge Todd J. Campbell today denied a request for a restraining order that would have kept the state from enforcing Tennessee's new over-commitment law.
 
The statute requires counties to share the cost of state care if their juvenile judges commit children at a rate more than three times the statewide average.

Nashville Infant and Siblings No Longer in State Custody

Update on case involving the newborn abducted in Nashville
 
NASHVILLE - October 6, 2009 - The infant and the other three children are no longer in DCS custody. DCS has confirmed with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department that they are releasing a statement at this time which sets forth their position with regard to this investigation. The MPD, working in conjunction with the FBI and TBI, advised the Department of Children's Services that the parents have now been ruled out as persons of interest in this investigation at this time.

October 5, 2009 update on case involving the newborn abducted in Nashville

Monday, October 5, 2009 -- While everyone, including the Department of Children's Services, is celebrating the Friday-night rescue of the infant, the department still has a large amount of work to do in this case.

DCS Statement Regarding Children's Rights' Challenge of Over-Commitment Law

NASHVILLE - Today, Children’s Rights, Inc. filed a motion seeking to stop the State from implementing a new law regarding the over-commitment of children into State custody by juvenile judges. The Department of Children’s Services has made great progress in recent years in improving the care and services we provide to Tennessee’s children. The Department has also corrected many of the issues that were at the heart of the Brian A. lawsuit. It appears the issues raised by the plaintiffs are less about the existing lawsuit and more about their objection to a law passed this year by the General Assembly.

DCS Open Records Requests: A Primer

Tennessee law enables state residents to have access to government records. And while in most cases, child- and case-specific DCS information must remain confidential under state law, the department is committed to being as open and responsive as it possibly can. In some instances, there are even ways for certain interested parties to gain access to child and family information.

Tips For Leaving Your Child In Another's Care

Make Sure the Baby-sitter Knows the Basics about Your Baby

NASHVILLE -- Across Tennessee, young parents often entrust their babies' care to a friend or relative. While the Department of Children's Services would always hope that a parent would make the best choices for child care, we often hear of instances in which a mother asks a friend to keep an eye on her baby while she has to leave home for a few hours.

Monitor's Report Notes Broad Improvement at DCS

Spells Out Remaining Challenges for Tennessee's Public Child Welfare Agency

NASHVILLE -- Federal court monitors cited across-the-board improvements at the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, where an ambitious reform effort is underway on behalf of those in state foster care. The reform work is not complete, however, as Tennessee still has several benchmarks to meet before it can exit federal court oversight under the terms of the Brian A. consent decree.

DCS Open Records Requests: A Primer

NASHVILLE - Tennessee law enables state residents to have access to government records. And while in most cases, child- and case-specific DCS information must remain confidential under state law, the department is committed to being as open and responsive as it possibly can. In some instances, there are even ways for certain interested parties to gain access to child and family information.

Child Health Week Comes to Tennessee

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen and the Governor’s Office of Children’s Care Coordination have proclaimed October 13-19 Child Health Week. Tennesseans are encouraged to put the health and well-being of children first during Child Health Week, which will place special emphasis on the issue of childhood obesity, and every week in the year ahead.

Omni Visions Signs Management Agreement With Wilson County Youth Ranch

NASHVILLE — The Wilson County Youth Ranch has entered into a business agreement with Omni Visions Inc. to help resolve recent management and oversight problems.

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