Disability Rights Tennessee and the Youth Law Center have published a new report on the state’s juvenile criminal justice system, offering suggestions on how to prevent abuse inside detention facilities, and set kids up for success after they leave.
DCS gets approval to add more beds for kids in state custody, but not without being told to think bigger in the future
The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services got approval to add 72 more beds for housing juvenile inmates. And they plan to ask for 500 more next session. But some lawmakers think they will need even more.
Report: Child abuse and neglect are costing Tennessee billions of dollars a year
Abuse and neglect take an enormous emotional toll on children across Tennessee. Now, a new report estimates the economic impact of child abuse, and finds it’s costing the state billions of dollars each year.
A top Republican pauses Gov. Bill Lee’s attempt to disband the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth
A bill, which seemed to be retaliatory, would’ve dissolved a commission made to audit the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. The idea came straight from the governor’s office, but it is no longer being pursued.
A Black family from Georgia is still not reunited with their five kids who were taken into DCS custody in Tennessee
It’s been about a month since Bianca Clayborne and Deonte Williams were separated from their five children following a traffic stop in rural Tennessee.
Tennessee Democrats demand DCS release children taken from Black family after a traffic stop
Tennessee Democrats are demanding the state’s Department of Children’s Services return five Black children taken from their parents following a traffic stop in Coffee County last month, the details of which quickly went viral after the Tennessee Lookout first reported the story on Thursday.
The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services says fewer children are sleeping in its offices
The Department of Children’s Services commissioner gave an update to the legislature that showed improvements to the troubled system.
Child welfare advocates ask DCS to look to previous federal oversight for a path forward
Tennessee’s Department of Children’s Services could stand to revisit federal oversight that lifted in 2017, say child welfare advocates and legal experts. The court settlement known as “Brian A” required that the state spend money on critical improvements, like having enough case managers so they didn’t handle more than 20 children at a time.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton talks roadways, abortion, crime and more
The 113th General Assembly kicked off last week and to get a preview of what to expect WPLN’s Political Reporter Blaise Gainey sat with Crossville Republican Cameron Sexton who’s been elected to another term as House Speaker.
At the Statehouse: What to expect during the Tennessee Legislature’s 2023 session
Infrastructure, exceptions to Tennessee’s abortion law and funding for the Department of Children’s Services are expected to be top issues this session.
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