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!

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.

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 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 families.

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. 

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month, DCS Talked to DCS case manager, Zanetta Williamson and two domestic violence liaisons, Valerie Conley with WRAP services in Jackson, TN and Elizabeth Vickers with the YWCA in Knoxville, TN. 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 front lines of those experiences where domestic violence intersects with child welfare and we have asked them to share information about their work and experiences today. Our pod-caster, Sheneka Morgan let's listeners know about some of the activities that DCS will sponsor in October for Domestic Violence Awareness month. 

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.

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  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.  

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 principles of preparation and planning for our youth.