The issues at the Tennessee Department of Children's Services are well documented. Over the last year there have been reports of staffing shortages, overwhelmed case workers, kids sleeping in state offices and abuse allegations.
But, at one time, Tennessee's DCS was considered a model for other states on how to serve vulnerable children and their families. So, how did DCS end up in its current condition?
In this episode, we talk to people with firsthand experience with DCS and the foster care system, child advocates and attorneys involved in the 2000 Brian A. lawsuit that helped turn the agency around. This Is Nashville invited DCS Commissioner Margie Quin to join the panel, but the department declined on her behalf.
But first, you'll hear from Kendra, a 14-year-old Nashville girl currently in foster care. She and her family spoke to criminal justice Paige Pfleger about their experience with DCS.
Guests:
Jennifer Rhodes, Tennessean who lived in multiple foster homes before aging out of the system
Mary Walker, former DCS counsel in Brian A. case
Andy Shookhoff, former Davidson County Juvenile Court judge
Zoe Jamail, policy coordinator for Disability Rights Tennessee
Jasmine Miller, staff attorney with the Youth Law Center
Cynthia Cheatham, attorney who has worked with DCS children and families
Additional reading and resources:
Tennessee Department of Children's Services: Client's Rights Handbook
Center for the Study of Social Policy: Lessons Learned from Child Welfare Class Action Litigation: A Case Study of Tennessee’s Reform
This Is Nashville: What’s going on in Tennessee’s youth detention centers?
Tennessee Lookout: GOP lawmaker: TBI is investigating current and former DCS employees
Tennessee Lookout: Scathing audit of Tennessee Department of Children’s Services finds kids are placed in danger
WPLN: Watchdog group concerned about deaths of Tennessee children in homes known to state caseworkers