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.

Multi-year action plan resulting from collaboration of 11 state agencies

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced a comprehensive, multi-year action plan designed to improve public safety statewide. 

The Governor’s Public Safety Subcabinet Working Group, which includes commissioners and representatives from 11 state agencies, submitted the plan after months of meetings with more than 300 public safety professionals and stakeholders across the state.

NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Haslam has proclaimed October 3-9, 2011 Child Health Week in Tennessee. State officials recently celebrated Tennessee’s highest-ever ranking for child well-being as part of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KidsCount Data Release. On the heels of that announcement, Tennesseans are encouraged to put the health and well-being of children first during Child Health Week, and every week in the year ahead.

“During Child Health Week and every week, we need to be good role models for children in our state and support them as they grow up to be healthy, productive Tennesseans,” Haslam said.

 The Memphis/West Tennessee Walk Me Home event was held on Saturday August 20, 2011, raising $5,000 for foster and adoptive children.

 From General Services:

The Cordell Hull Building in downtown Nashville, closed because of electrical and plumbing problems, will re-open Monday for business.

The department's central office in Nashville will be closed Friday because of the ongoing electrical problems.