Payne to lead DIDD, Henry to stay on at DCS

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced Debra Payne as the new commissioner of the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) as Jim Henry becomes the permanent commissioner at the Department of Children’s Services (DCS).

Payne currently serves as deputy commissioner of DIDD and Henry as the interim commissioner of DCS.

“These two departments handle some of the state’s most difficult work concerning our most vulnerable citizens,” Haslam said. “I want to thank Debbie for taking on this new role in such a young department. Her experience and hard work will continue to serve the state of Tennessee very well.”

Department reorganization aimed at advancing child safety, health and programs

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) Commissioner Jim Henry today announced changes to the department’s organizational structure aimed at elevating child safety, health and programming. The announcement follows a recently completed assessment of the department’s work.

Report Highlights State’s Progress in 13 Categories

NASHVILLE – The overall death rate for Tennessee children dropped by 20 percent between 2007 and 2011, according to information released today by the State Child Fatality Review team. Notable factors in that reduction are a decrease in sleep-related infant deaths due to suffocation or strangulation, which were down 16.8 percent from 2010 to 2011, and a 20 percent drop in deaths of black children between 2007 and 2011.

Governor appoints Commissioner Jim Henry as interim

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced that Department of Children’s Services (DCS) Commissioner Kate O’Day has resigned from her post.

“Kate has informed me that she felt the time was right to step down,” Haslam said.  “She was concerned that she had become more of a focus than the children the department serves.

CLARKSVILLE – The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) organization has given the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) its Above and Beyond Award.

NASHVILLE – Weighing in at just over four pounds, one of the newest residents of Tennessee isn’t just premature, he’s dependent on addictive drugs. Within a few hours of the delivery, hospital staff members knew by his seizures, high-pitched cries, tremors, fever and vomiting this innocent baby was another tragic case of neonatal abstinence syndrome, a condition caused when an unborn child is exposed to powerful drugs used legally or illegally by a mother during pregnancy.

NASHVILLE – Nearly 250 young adults formerly in the custody of the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) have enrolled in post-secondary education this fall with the help of the

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has proclaimed May “Foster Care Month,” joining other states and organizations across the country in saluting foster parents and encouraging others to takes steps to serve children in the year ahead.

“Family is the crucible of a child’s life,” said Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Commissioner Kathryn O’Day. “Children must live in a safe, stable, and loving family in order to develop properly. When a child’s own family is unable to care for them, foster families are a lifeline for them. During Foster Care Month, we salute the thousands of Tennesseans who open their home to foster children, and at the same time we draw attention to the need for more foster families across our state.”

Cabinet to create comprehensive strategy focused on Tennessee children’s well-being

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam today announced the governor will issue an executive order refocusing and restructuring the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet, which they will co-chair.

This makes the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet the only one in the country co-chaired by both a governor and the spouse, according to the National Forum for Youth Investment, and the group through collaboration and cooperation will create a comprehensive strategy focused on issues such as children’s physical and mental health, education, safety and overall well-being.