DCS Talks

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 challenges this foster father with real-world scenarios. 

In this episode of DCS Talks, we have Susan Kovac with us to discuss Termination of Parental Rights.  Ms. Kovac has serves as General Counsel Emerita at Department of Children’s Services where she served as the lead attorney for the Knox County Region as well as serving as an Associate Professor at the UT Knoxville School of Law for over 13 years. We have asked Ms. Kovac to join us today to discus...

In this episode of DCS 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 with the Center of Excellence for Children in State Custody at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Beyond serving our agency through assessment consultation Mr. Vann is also a regular practitioner of mindfulness and with...

In this episode of DCS Talks, we have Shelby Johnson with us to discuss assessing for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Minors . Ms. Johnson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who serves as an Assessment Consultant with the Center of Excellence for Children in State Custody at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Beyond serving our agency through assessment consultation Ms. Johnson also ser...

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, "DCS Talks: Teen Placement and Advoc...

In this episode of DCS Talks, we have Susan Kovac with us to discuss the Indian Child Welfare Act. Ms. Kovac has serves as General Counsel Emeritus at Department of Children’s Services where she served as the lead attorney for the Knox County Region as well as serving as an Associate Professor at the UT Knoxville School of Law for over 13 years. Ms. Kovac has many special interests around law and...

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 will discuss 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 on in our education, the ideas that are outlined are fundamental to understanding the basic needs of peop...

Jennifer Drake Croft works as a Project Director in the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Technical Assistance Center at Georgetown University, she serves as a profession coach at the Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee (AIMHiTN), an Adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee, and where I first worked with Ms. Drake Croft she served as the Director of Child Well-B...

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 make determinations about the foster home that is i...

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 address topics such as education, housing, employment,...

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. Reiter and Ms. Horton are experts as they have wo...

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 and families that are served by The work culture...

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 Services. Ms. Parker provides leadership and guidance a...

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 supervision or care of an individual(s)functioning...

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