DCS Talks

Latest Episodes:

DCS Talks About the Importance of Adoption as a Permanency Option Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

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 families.

DCS Talks About Social Work Month Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

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 trained to help people address personal and systemic barriers to optimal living. They are employed to effect positive change with individuals, families, groups and entire communities." The theme for Social Work Month 2021 is Social Workers Are Essential.

DCS Talks About Confidentiality and Building Teams with Families Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

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 a coordinated system of policies and practices in place that guide confidential information sharing throughout the policies that are in DCS Chapter 31 which are on the DCS public website and available for all citizens. Recently, DCS leadership and staff took a deeper look into ways to maintain confidentiality and Ms. Maifair and Ms. Coleman discuss the analysis.

DCS Talks About Ways to Mitigate Bias When Working With Families Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

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 ongoing understanding that people can make changes for the good in their lives.

DCS Talks About Holiday Stress Nov 23, 2020

Show notes

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 stress as well as ideas from child welfare professionals and foster parents about ways to have just enough joy during the holidays!

DCS Talks with Youth about Adoption for National Adoption Month Nov 20, 2020

Show notes

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 Adoption Month theme is "Engage Youth: Listen and Learn." In honor of this year's theme, DCS Talks with six youth about what a forever family means to them.

DCS Talks About Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October Oct 05, 2020

Show notes

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 child welfare system. Our guests today are on the frontlines of those experiences where domestic violence intersects with child welfare and we have asked them to share information about their work and experiences and how find assistance.

DCS Talks to Rosie Heath about the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) Aug 05, 2020

Show notes

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 placement of children between states when the children are in the custody of a state, being placed for private/independent adoption, or under certain circumstances, being placed by a parent or guardian in a residential treatment facility. The process involves several steps and Ms. Heath provides us with information about this important work.

DCS Talks to Affirmative Action Director, Donovan Haynes about Title VI of the Civil Rights Act Jul 30, 2020

Show notes

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 the basis of race, color, or national origin in any program or activity that receives Federal funds. Mr. Haynes describes meaning of this law, discusses his career in child welfare and even shares an inspiring story about the time he met, Nelson Mandela!

DCS Talks to Corrie Copeland, about the Interstate Commission for Juveniles Jul 24, 2020

Show notes

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 have run away to another state. Ms. Copeland provides information about ICJ, some examples of situations that are under the purview of ICJ and how to find training and support to learn more.

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