DCS Talks about Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities with Dr. Paiml

DCS Talks about Autism and ASD with Dr. Alexa Dixon

In this episode of DCS Talks, foster parent trainer Toney Horton sits down with foster dad, Chris Templeton. Together, they discuss what it means to be a foster father and the impact this has on the child as well as the parent.

In this episode of DCS Talks, foster parent trainer Toney Horton sits down with foster father, Anthony Johnson. Together, they discuss what parenting techniques best help children as well as how foster and biological parents can work as a team.

This is part 2 of Toney Horton's interview with Mr. Anthony Johnson, a current foster and adoptive parent. If you have not listened to part 1, yet, I highly encourage you to listen to the previous episode first, for context. Join us today as we discuss what it means to be a foster father, as Mr. Johnson shares his experiences and Mr. Horton challen…

In this episode ofDCS Talks, we have Susan Kovac with us to discuss Termination of ParentalRights. Ms. Kovac has serves as GeneralCounsel Emerita at Department of Children’s Services where she served as thelead attorney for the Knox County Region as well as serving as an AssociateProfessor at the UT Knoxville School of Law for over 13 years. We hav…

In this episode ofDCS Talks, we have Steve Vann with us to discuss mindfulness in child welfare. Mr.Vann is a professional counselor who serves as an Assessment Consultant withthe Center of Excellence for Children in State Custody at the VanderbiltUniversity Medical Center. Beyond serving our agency through assessmentconsultation Mr. Vann is also a…

In this episode of DCS Talks, we have Shelby Johnson with us to discuss assessingfor Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Minors . Ms. Johnson is a LicensedClinical Social Worker who serves as an Assessment Consultant with the Centerof Excellence for Children in State Custody at the Vanderbilt UniversityMedical Center. Beyond serving our agency throug…

In this episode of DCS Talks, foster parent trainer Toney Horton sits down with former foster youth, and co-founder of Jonathan's Path, Taylor Hart DuRard, to discuss the child welfare system through the eyes of the youth. This episode mentions our interview with Taylor's mom, Carrie DuRard, which can be found in our DCS Talks archive, Episode 51, …

In this episode of DCS Talks, we have Susan Kovac with us to discuss theIndian Child Welfare Act. Ms. Kovac has serves as General Counsel Emeritus at Departmentof Children’s Services where she served as the lead attorney for the KnoxCounty Region as well as serving as an Associate Professor at the UT KnoxvilleSchool of Law for over 13 years. Ms. Ko…

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month, DCS Talks about the Caring Dads program.

Join DCS Foster Parent trainer Toney Horton as he interviews current foster parents on their experiences with daycare and childcare facilities. Through this discussion topics such as prioritizing children's individual needs, daycare disruptions due to trauma behavior, and staff improvement through being trauma informed.…

DCS Talks with Laurie Ellington CEO & Founder, Ancient Science, Inc. Inner Alchemy and The Path to Human Flourishing about the importance of self care as a caregiver.

In this episode of DCS Talks, DCS podcaster, Sirena Wilson willdiscuss a basic concept in the Human Sciences, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.Many of us who have placed a focus in human sciences by studying, social work,psychology, sociology, or health were introduced to Maslow’s concepts early onin our education, the ideas that are outlined are fundam…

Jennifer Drake Croft works as a Project Directorin the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health(IECMH) Technical Assistance Center at Georgetown University, she servesas a profession coach at the Association of Infant Mental Health inTennessee (AIMHiTN), an Adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee, andwhere I first worked with Ms. Drake Cro…

In this episode of DCS Talks we interview Melina Smith, the Program Manager of the Foster Home Quality Team at DCS. If there are concerns about a foster home, that home may be investigated by a special investigation unit, part of the process of that investigation includes that the case is reviewed by a group of child welfare professionals to help m…

DCS Talks about the process of developing leadership at the department through the Mentorship Certification Program.

On this episode of DCS Talks, Foster Parent trainer Toney Horton sits down with Founder of Jonathan's Path, Carrie DuRard, as they discuss the importance of fostering, adopting, and advocating for our teens in care.

In this episode of DCS Talks, Courtney Matthews, the Director of Independent Living at DCS is interviewed. The Independent Living program offers help to youth who are in foster care and who may turn 18 and as an adult will “age out” of the child welfare system. These services include creating a personalized transition plan with each child that addr…

In this edition of DCS Talks, podcaster Anna Richmond discusses how human trafficking is addressed at the Tennessee Department of Children's Services with program leader, Kelli Germain.

On this Episode of DCS Talks, Toney Horton speaks with current foster parent co-trainer Megan Templeton about the importance of foster parent and birth parent relationships.

DCS talks to Michelle Reiter and Nena Horton about the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment or as we refer to it the CANS assessment. Michell Reiter serves as a program director that has a focus on formal and informal assessments. Nena Horton serves a senior mental health consultant with Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Both Ms.…

In this edition of DCS Talks, certified HeartMath practitioner, Sirena Wilson provides an overview of this system of stress management and nervous system regulation and applies it to the work done in child welfare. This is the first in a series about some of the HeartMath techniques that may help case managers, foster parents, providers or anyone.…

In this episode, our focus will be on recruiting future child welfare professionals at the Department of Children’s Services to assist us, we have, our recruiting and retention coordinator, Marc Giguere here to answer questions about joining the workforce at the Department. Recruiting qualified, talented, professionals is important for the children…

DCS Podcaster, Toney Horton provides information to the public about the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Minors and how the Department responds.

March is national Social Work month which is a great time to celebrate the profession and contributions of the field of social work. In honor of national Social Work month, DCS Talks is interviewing Crystal Parker who is a Licensed Advanced Practitioner Social Worker or LAPSW who serves as an Executive Director at the Department of Children’s Servi…

Jacquie Schultz is the Statewide Child Protective Services Director in the Office of Child Safety. Ms. Shultz is director over the Special Investigations Unit or (SIU). SIU conducts investigations when the abuse or neglect involves children who are in foster care as well as those who are not in the legal custody of DCS but they are under the superv…

Learn more about Adoption Month and hear an interview with an adoptive parent about teen adoptions!

DCS Talks with Rebecca Bevans who is the Director of Training and Program Development in the Office of Child Safety at the Department of Children’s Services. The Office of Child Safety and its investigators train for and carry out the work of investigations, and they often coordinate their work with law enforcement, child advocacy centers and prose…

In this edition of DCS Talks we would like to learn more about the legislative process and new laws are integrated into DCS policy and practice. We will discuss a few of the new laws that started in July of 2021 that impact DCS.

In this edition of DCS Talsk, we interview Shay Jones the lead specialist of the TNDCS Non-Custodial Prevention Services program and this DCS program is established to provide resources for families to prevent children and youth coming into care. The focus on connecting families with prevention services not only aligns with research around permanen…

DCS Talks about ChildStat which is a collaborative process for data collection and reporting. ChildStat uses a case conferencing model where one case is seen as an opportunity to critically analyze practice, policy, and procedures from a systems perspective. It helps to identify specifically what steps can be taken to enhance practice and promote s…

The Family First Prevention Act (FFPSA) was passed by Congress in 2018 as part of the bi-artisan spending bill. FFPSA encourages child welfare agencies to join together with community partners to envision a new way of working together and supporting families.

Join the DCS Assistant Commissioner of Administration, Julie Rotella to learn about the importance of adoption as a permanency option for children who are in full guardianship in Tennessee. Ms. Rotella interviews DCS child welfare professionals and adoptive parents who share success stories and positive outcomes for children who have found forever …

In this edition of DCS Talks we speak with Mr. Roger Waynick who is a management consultant at the State of Tennessee in the Office of Customer Focused Government and Mr. Ben Lackner who serves as the Governor’s Management Fellow for the State of Tennessee about a new resource for ALL the citizens of Tennessee! No matter if you are a foster parent,…

DCS Talks podcaster and director, Kate Greer interviews professional social workers that work at the Department of Children's Services in honor of Social Worker Month. Social Work Month in March is a time to celebrate the great profession of social work. According to the National Association of Social Work, "As practitioners, social workers are tra…

In this edition DCS Talks to Sammi Maifair the Senior Associate Counsel at DCS and Lindsay Coleman the Director of Permanency Planning in the Office of Child Programs about confidentiality and building teams with families. Children, youth and families involved with DCS have the right to the privacy of their records and personal information. DCS has…

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and DCS Talks invited two subject matter experts, Pierce Beckham the Senior Director of Investigations in the Office of Child Safety and Dr. Martha Wike a clinical psychologist in the Knoxville region at DCS. Both guests are instrumental in policy development, training delivery, service provisi…

DCS Director and podcaster, Kate Greer interviews Child Protective Services supervisor, Dale Lynn about mitigating bias in reports of child abuse and neglect. Mr. Lynn explains how being evidenced based is key to mitigating unconscious bias. Mr. Lynn discusses understanding the history of a family while also having a fresh perspective and the ongoi…

DCS Talks podcaster and Assistant Commissioner, Julie Rotella asks child welfare professionals and foster parents, "Can there be too much holiday joy?" While the holidays are joyful for many there may also be times when the holidays may be stressful, especially in the child welfare community! Listeners will hear about ways to mitigate holiday stres…

November is National Adoption Month! Each year, the Children's Bureau and child welfare agencies and across the country focus outreach and awareness-raising efforts around a new adoption-related theme to help support professionals working each day to find permanency for children and youth in foster care in their community. This year's National Adop…

DCS Talks to the Executive Director in the Office of Child Safety, Carla Aaron about exciting changes in the Child Protective Services program area. The program area is currently being re-designed based on data and research around best practices in child welfare. Ms. Aaron provides information about this exciting approach to serving children and fa…

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month, we are interviewing DCS case manager, Zanetta Williamson and two domestic violence liaisons, Valerie Conley and Elizabeth Vickers. Domestic violence is a social problem that affects families from all walks of life. Many families that experience domestic violence also come to the attention of the …

Rosie Heath is the Deputy Compact Administrator for the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) at the Department of Children’s Services. The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children is an agreement between all fifty states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Compact Agreement provides for the movement and safe …

In this edition DCS Talks to Mr. Donovan Haynes who is the Director of Affirmative Action at DCS in the Office of Internal Affairs. Mr. Haynes has many duties as the Affirmative Action Director and one of the most important roles he oversees is as the Title VI Coordinator for DCS. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on…

DCS Talks to Corrie Copeland who serves as the Commissioner for the Interstate Commission for Juveniles at the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services in the Office of Juvenile Justice. The Interstate Commission for Juvenile it is the governing body of laws that regulates the interstate movement of juveniles who are under court supervision or h…

DCS Talks About Transitioning to Adulthood in this edition, Tristan Slough discusses the importance of transitioning youth from DCS custody to adulthood. Tristan spent time in DCS custody and speaks from first hand experience. He currently serves as a Peer Support Worker with Monroe Harding. Tristan shares his wisdom as he outlines the key principl…

Join DCS Talks to discuss the importance of Full Disclosure with Director of Permanency Planning, Lindsay Coleman. When a child comes to the attention of the DCS and is potentially in need of out-of-home care, DCS takes responsibility to engage the family in identifying relatives or kin who may support the child and family. As part of the process o…

In this edition of DCS Talks, training manager, Sheneka Morgan interviews ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­a staff who serve a variety of roles at the Department of Children’s Services. These staff ensure that safety remains a top priority in not only conducting field visits but also in reducing trauma to the children and families we serve. June is National Safet…

Diligent search is a process through which child welfare agencies recruit, retain, and support foster and adoptive families that reflect the ethnic diversity of children and build family teams. In this edition we will interview two subject matter experts on the topic of diligent searches in child welfare, first we talk to Alicia Wright who provides…