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Walk Me Home on June 26

Wednesday, March 31, 2010 | 11:01 am
NASHVILLE - Walk Me Home is a nationwide 5k walk that will be held in more than 100 communities in 25 states across the U.S. Tennessee’s third annual 5k fundraiser is focused on raising awareness of children in foster care. Join us for the 3rd Annual Walk Me Home 5k in Nashville on June 26, 2010!
Children's Services

Bredesen Announces DCS Accreditation

Tuesday, February 02, 2010 | 09:11 am
Children's Services Becomes the Seventh Accredited State-Administered Public Agency
 
NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen in his State of the State Address Monday announced the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services has received accreditation from the Council on Accreditation, an international, independent, not-for-profit, child- and family-service and behavioral health care accrediting organization.
 
Tennessee’s Department of Children Services is the seventh state-administered agency to receive COA accreditation. State-administered agencies in Kentucky, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri and West Virginia are currently accredited by the organization.
 
“This is a real achievement for the Department of Children’s Services and speaks to the tremendous progress that’s been made under the leadership of Viola Miller,” said Bredesen. “The people of Tennessee can take both pride and comfort in knowing the people responsible for managing the cases of abused and neglected children have met these high standards.”
Children's Services

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

Friday, October 16, 2009 | 11:43 am
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.
Children's Services

Nashville Infant and Siblings No Longer in State Custody

Tuesday, October 06, 2009 | 11:06 am
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.
Children's Services

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

Thursday, September 10, 2009 | 08:34 am

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.

Media Advisories, Children's Services

DCS Open Records Requests: A Primer

Friday, January 16, 2009 | 11:53 am

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.

Children's Services

Tips For Leaving Your Child In Another's Care

Friday, January 16, 2009 | 11:47 am

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.
Children's Services