Tag: Tennessee Department of Children’s Services

Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Claims Records of Visits Before Teen Starved to Death Cannot Be Released Until Trial

Tom Pappert

The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) claimed in court on Wednesday that it could not release records of the agency’s actions prior to the starvation death of a 14-year-old in 2021.

A former Memphis reporter’s 2021 attempt to learn more about actions taken by DCS prior to the death of 14-year-old Brandon Gray, who was allegedly starved to death by his family members while being forced to live in what News Channel 3 called “a filthy, cold garage with a mattress, portable toilet, and bleach jug for a urinal,” quoting official documents the outlet obtained.

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Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Highlights New Anti-Human Trafficking Unit

Peter D'Abrosca

Tennessee’s Department of Children’s Services (DCS) is highlighting a new anti-human trafficking team, which was formed as part of the state’s ongoing effort to combat the practice. 

“We’ve had over 500 reports since the beginning of the year,” Kate Greer, the Director of the Human Trafficking Response Team, which is part of DCS, reportedly said. 

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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Launches Grant Program to Support Expecting Mothers and Families

Hannah Poling

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (R) opened applications this week for the Tennessee Strong Families Grant Program to support expecting mothers and families.

According to the press release, the $20 million program aims to increase resources for moms, kids, and families while improving maternity healthcare access. It aids local nonprofit organizations across the state, including pregnancy centers.

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Governor Lee Proclaims the Month of May ‘Foster Care Month’ in Tennessee

Kaitlin Housler

Governor Bill Lee proclaimed May as “Foster Care Month” in Tennessee.

“This ‘Foster Care Month,’ we recognize the 5,000 Tennessee families who open their hearts and hands to children in need,” Lee said in a statement. “We have an obligation to ensure that every child has a loving, permanent home, and I thank Commissioner Quin and the General Assembly for partnering to deliver important support to children and families.”

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Gov. Lee Signs ‘Forever Homes Act’ into Law to Speed Up Adoption Process

Peter D'Abrosca

Gov. Bill Lee (R) this week signed into law a bill that streamlines the adoption process in Tennessee. 

“I signed the Forever Homes Act, legislation that will provide critical support to TN foster & adoptive families to accelerate child placement,” Lee said after the Tuesday bill signing in Chattanooga. “Great to meet with [Tennessee Department of Children’s Services] caseworkers & adoptive parents in Chattanooga who are giving TN children a loving, permanent home.”

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State Expects Chattanooga Migrant Children Shelter’s License to Be Suspended into Fall

The Center Square

A closed shelter in Chattanooga again was the focus Thursday for much of the Tennessee Legislature’s Study Committee on Refugee Issues meeting.

Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Commissioner Jennifer Nichols said the home, run by the Georgia-based Baptiste Group, remains under suspension as the Baptiste Group appeals its license suspension in chancery court.

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Tennessee Lawmakers Drafting Legislation to Prevent Traffickers, Cartels from Taking Migrant Children Under Guise of Sponsorship

Corinne Murdock

Tennessee legislators will draft legislation to increase transparency and establish protective measures for the sponsorship of unaccompanied migrant children. The federal government says that sponsors are “almost always a parent or close relative” – but that’s not always the case. Lawmakers’ urgency to increase transparency and establish protective measures for sponsorship heightened after it was revealed that Governor Bill Lee’s administration has continued licensing for a Chattanooga shelter without apparent provisions in place to protect the housed migrant children from traffickers and cartels. 

The Chattanooga shelter is run by the Baptiste Group, a Georgia-based national group that provides emergency shelter services for unaccompanied migrant children – usually for up to 30 days, excepting complications. Last May, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families contracted with the Baptiste Group for a conditional Residential Child Care Agency License in Chattanooga. The three-year contract, set to expire last August, anticipated nearly $7.5 million in costs to house up to 100 children.

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Senate Passes Bill Exempting Individuals from Vaccinations as Requirement for Adoption or Foster Care

Corinne Murdock

The Senate determined Thursday that those wishing to become adoptive or foster parents should be granted increased vaccine exemptions. This bill would still require that individuals and that individual’s household undergo vaccinations in order to either adopt or foster children 18 months of age or younger, or children with “significant documented medical needs.”

During the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the bill, one mother named Kim Carter testified that she was denied foster care opportunities because her children weren’t fully vaccinated at the time. She added that her story wasn’t unique.

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Tennessee DCS Revokes Foster Parent ‘Cultural Awareness’ Curriculum for Violating Executive Order on Diversity Trainings

Corinne Murdock

The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) revoked a cultural awareness training on Tuesday for violating President Trump’s Executive Order. DCS is reviewing the program, Cultural Awareness for Foster Parents, currently.

DCS sent the memo to agency provider trainers on the same day the curriculum was pulled.

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