Roots and Wings

On this episode of Roots and Wings we highlight several state programs that are available to families who have been impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic. Programs like SNAP have served the community for years while new programs like the P-EBT program were implemented because of the hardships families faced to due the global pandemic. Keisha Thaxton with the Tennessee Department of Human Services talk...

On this episode of Roots and Wings we discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our mental health. Melissa Binkley with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is the program director for the Regional Intervention Program , a parent-implemented, professionally supported program for young children and their families who are experiencing challenging behavior. She...

Beginning in early May, many counties across Tennessee announced plans to phase in a reopen for the economy. Some of the largest and most populated counties remain closed. Your family may be wondering when things will get back to normal. Unfortunately, we'll be returning to a new normal. Nashville pediatrician Dr. Carolina Clark, with the Tennessee Department of Health, sits down with podcast...

The Early Success Coalition in Memphis works to promote healthy babies and strong families. Program director, Kellie Mitchell sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss the work of the Early Success Coalition and why every family in Memphis with small children can benefit! 

We are living through a global pandemic, it's a first for most if not all of us. For parents and guardians it can be a challenge to answer your kids' questions or ease their fears when you are stressed or uncertain too. First, relax...we're all in this together. Second, take Dr. Carolina Clark's advice! Dr. Clark is a Nashville pediatrician who works with the Tennessee Departme...

Since it was founded in 1992, the Nashville Children’s Alliance has worked to reduce the trauma of child abuse victims and their families by conducting forensic interviews, working with the Department of Children Services, the Metro Nashville Police Department and the District Attorney General’s office to make sure no child falls through the cracks. Lori Myers is the clinical director at the Nashv...

Several counties across Tennessee are listed as child care deserts and the average yearly payment a family will fork out for child care is around $7,400 and rising. On this episode of Roots and Wings, Heather Hicks with the Child Care Resource and Referral Network (CCR&R) sits down with host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss some of the biggest challenges facing child care facilities and profession...

Elandriel works with United Way of Metropolitan Nashville as the manager of Early Learning Initiatives. On this podcast episode, she sits down with host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss Social Emotional Learning, SEL and Environmental Learning, EE, and how it impacts a developing brain and youth behavior.  

Nearly 20 percent of youth between 13 and 18-years-old experience severe mental disorders in a given year. About half the number of children with a mental illness do not receive any services or help. While data and numbers tend to focus on older youth and teens, young children and be heavily impacted as well. On this episode the supervisor for the Pediatric Therapy Program at Mental Health Coopera...

Research shows young children who are read to three or more times a week are nearly twice as likely to show advanced literacy skills. The Governor's Book From Birth Foundation works to promote early childhood literacy for children in Tennessee between birth and 5-years-old. As of January 7, 2020 the foundation is now known as the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation . In a partnership wi...

Traumatic experiences and adverse childhood experiences or ACE's shape our community's youth. The Raphah Institute is an organization that is working to help youth offenders and their victims heal from non-violent crimes before charges are ever filed.  "If incarceration made us safer the United States would be the safest nation in the history of any civilization," Raphah Instit...

Davidson County Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway was elected in 2014 and oversees the entire juvenile court system in Davidson County, as well as manages the detention facilities that house youth offenders. On this episode of Roots and Wings Calloway discusses the recent uptick in violent crimes among youth and the challenges that face the juvenile court system.     

Despite working hard for 16 years to pursue a successful comedy career, DJ Pryor and his toddler son, Kingston are now advocates for "Serve and Return". In Summer 2019, a video of DJ and Kingston interacting went viral. Since then he's spoken to crowds around the country about Serve and Return and the importance of father's connecting with their children. "I move as if I&a...

Grandparents and other relatives have a very long tradition of being the foundation that keeps a family together. Across the nation 2.7 million grandparents are raising their grandchildren. Tracy Van de Vate is the program manager of the Knoxville-Knox County Grandparents as Parents Program. She sits down with Roots and Wings host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss the resources available to families as...

The Tennessee Association for Children’s Early Education or TACEE, is a nonprofit association that was incorporated in 1954 and has worked since then to provide professional development opportunities for young children while also advocating for the best practices in child care, development and education. TACEE President-Elect Cindy Ligon sits down with Jonquil Newland to discuss the biggest challe...

One in five youth between the ages of 13 and 18-years-old have or will have a mental health condition. Half of all lifetime mental illness cases begin by 14-years-old. Dr. Desiree' Kelly serves as the Public Health and Education Manager for Mental Health America of the Mid-south. She opens up about her experiences working with youth as well as the steps every adult can take to help adolescent...

The Davidson County Community Advisory Board partners with the Department of Children Services to provide resources and services to children and families in Davidson County. The board's co-chair, Kevin McKenzie sits down with Jonquil Newland to discuss DCCAB's role in the community and how it is accomplishing the work it does.  

Monroe Harding is an organization that provides homes, healing and opportunities through programs that serve youth who are currently in or transitioning out of foster care. Two of the organizations administrators sit down with TCCY's Jonquil Newland to discuss the challenges, needs and resources available for children in foster care and their families.  

Richard Kennedy has served as executive director for the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth for nearly one year. However, his history with the agency is long standing. Jonquil Newland sits down with Kennedy to discuss his history with the agency as well as life milestones that lead him to the top spot at TCCY.