Told me jt was time I put my foot down and tell him he doesnt get to choose where he goes and if his father and I cant come to an agreement my son would be put into foster care while they investigated. The Unit can take the appropriate action to aid in the resolution of a specific issue or systemic problem. Report Abuse or Neglect. Read full article on original website. Such DCS personnel may include, but are not limited to: But Terri Nelson said she spoke out because kids are suffering and because she was once in foster care herself. The father and his mothers were smokers but was so excited to get the child they ensure they smoked outside. Always include with your provider complaint: To learn more about the PROVIDER COMPLAINT process, view the Information Packet for PROVIDER COMPLAINTS. Lee Announces Leadership Transition at Department of Childrens Services, Ronya Faulkner Honored for Adoption Excellence. Child welfare reform Updates and broadcasts ConnieReguli. The Tribune contacted Williams about the Haynes case last week. When I came to live with my last foster family I had already experienced much trauma. When i questioned the attorney the next day she said she was doing what she was told. Shes bullied several AFRICAN AMERICAN employees and she needs to be exposed. This process is also available for disputing annual Episodes of Care Reports. . 500 James Robertson Pkwy Nashville, TN 37243-0565 (615) 741-2241 Ask.TDCI@TN.Gov. ", For example, the month of August 2021 (last month) shows 46.9% of kids were "Not Found". Despite numerous professionals defending the parents and their ability to parent. Sadly families and kids have been affected. DCS investigates child abuse, handles foster care placement and oversees youth detention centers. Because DCS didnt report that my child was suicidal I lost him August 10, 2021. Our court date that was set in September has now been moved to May and that will make over two years that we have been fighting this case. Lawmakers say the high caseloads and lack of regular visits show the urgent need for reforms at DCS. Ive seen people who worked 14 years and they walked in and fired them and walked them to the door, she said. ein Mensch und keine Maschine sind. DCS Internal Affairs Director Atif Williams would not discuss the case but since Haynes never got back those two days pay, we can assume Jeffries complaint was upheld. Pull a DCS roster of workers that used to be under this team, interview them privately and Im sure they will provide more information. For years they have single handly broken down DCS relationships with outside providers. excuses voor het ongemak. enviando un correo electrnico a In the Safe Measures report, this means the data was not found meaning not yet entered in the system, not that the visit had not occurred, or the child was not found. He did say there may be "exigent circumstances" which are very narrowly defined as an immediate, identifiable risk of harm that is "serious, immediate, physical or specific." Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. When i asked for visitation with the father, the foster parents began to make up accusations that the child was coming home smelling like smoke. Violation of hippa. Fire Prevention / State Fire Marshal's Office, Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, Peace Officer Standards Training Commission, Fire Services & Codes Enforcement Academy, Complaints for Regulatory Boards or Fire Licenses/Permits, Complaints for Insurance Companies or Insurance Agents. How do I get in on me and my family was put through this with Dcs. This has resulted in staff leaving DCS frequently. Desktop Support Engineer (Former Employee) - Nashville, TN - April 30, 2018. A whistleblower provided data to NewsChannel 5 Investigates which shows a trend one lawmaker calls terrifying. she found out after seeing it on the news. My results came in Tuesday October 26th and it showed negative for every substance as the first hair follicle administered by the on-site company that Dcs uses should have also showed. 500 James Robertson Parkway Even though it is his dads week he begged to go with me. Well of course he doesnt have any charges because my family decided to protect him instead of me. endobj
The department's annual staff turnover rate jumped . They are there to encourage direct and redirect. And you are just now gettingupset. It was petty. If there was an issue and i addressed it with my leaders I would email the old Commissioner, something my supervisors (Jeffries and Brookover)did not like. Then blame FSW, placement teams and Regions for the mistakes Camille and Lashanda make. message, please email No 12 year old should have to lose his life due to DCS pushing kids out of the system before time due to a lack of Case Managers. In January 2019, then-commissioner Jennifer Nichols admitted that children were staying up to six months longer in foster . Theres been two investigations and its been over 12 months at this point and nothing is going to be done, she said. . We have plenty of documents showing Policy Violations with Camille Legins and her Hench woman Lashanda Hudson. "Like many other organizations across the country, including both public and private child welfare agencies, DCS is experiencing staff turnover and challenges with hiring. When complaints are filed through internal affairs the first thing you have to do is sign a statement stating you will not talk to anyone about what you discussing, which is a bunch of bologna itself. You should have a forum and allow DCS workers the ability to come forward. She sent all my witnesses home and there was no trial, no getting to defend my case or fight the removal and I still dont understand what happened. Camille was a terrible Regional Administrator, placed in a position because of a personal relationship with her Director Sandra Wilson. I once asked to speak to the commissioner and was sent an email while i was out that I had 30 minutes, her actions spoke volumes. I dont want to sound like a conspiracy nut but its hard not to feel like someone somewhere is rubbing elbows to get what they want. Interview staff in the Central Office Building. Please provide the following information:Please provide the alleged or suspected violator(s) Region and Division or YDC.Please provide the First and Last name(s) and job title(s), if applicaple for all parties involved.Please provide a detailed explanaton, to include who, what, when, where, how and the nature of the alleged or suspected violation(s).Date of when the incident/violation occurred.Please explain how you were made aware of the incident/violation.If you reported your concern to a supervisory official or any other department or agency please list them here.Please provide the First and Last Name(s) and job title(s) of any person (witnesses, fellow employees, supervisors, etc.) Was this review helpful? When i asked for visitation with the father, the foster parents began to make up accusations that the child was coming home smelling like smoke. It didnt matter that I was vested. Seven months went by. My children were wrongfully removed and there isnt anything I can do about it, except as my case worker says work my plan which I have from the beginning and its gotten me where I am now. Nicole Ramey counted more than three-dozen complaints against Jeffries when she worked in Human Resources for DCS. ]//xyee*j_nq#:$Ly$m\!6,$/IY,E1A-noY^r7S?vr95/9YgxoU)ObG~Yn,:Mayl
e[3Egpn'A4l7Cvfe)#Jq)&DNm The Tennessee Department of Childrens Services does not provide you, or anyone else, with the status of your allegation(s) or complaint(s), but we will contact you if additional information is needed from you.NameFirst NameLast NamePhoneEmail. I worked with Mrs. Haynes and she was a good worker. Send me your private information and well send you the report and well be in contact, Williams told her. Please follow the link below to report suspicions of abuse/neglect of children when the suspected abuse/neglect took place in Tennessee. a-Normal; A+; TN.gov . DCS later allowed the case to be moved to Brentwood where the foster parents lived, making it difficult for the father to visit and attend court. Yesterday they said they do thorough investigations and if he had a charge they wouldnt allow him to become a foster parent. verdade. Look at the multiple complaints over the years that have been washed down the drain. I hope the focus changes things but I doubt it will. Insightful coverage of Nashville and Middle, TN news. My parents were manipulated by DCS to adopt me by saying Id be put in an orphanage if they didnt but there was a nurse who asked DCS and they said no. Haynes had two children who needed temporary foster placement and she wanted to keep them out of state custody, so she told the 76-year-old father to go see her pastor and find out if there was anyone in the congregation who might want to take the two boys, 15 and 16 years old. I worked for DCS for seven years. Not because providers arent preforming, its because Camille and Lashanda bully them with policy that helps DCS and hurts providers. The program has grown over the years, our JJ team has discussed how Camille has a private relationship with the owner Jason Crews and she has helped his program grow. Camille has a conflict of interest with Waynes Placement in Waynesboro. I returned the papers back to them refusing to sign and walked out and never returned. They showed dirty dishes piled high in the kitchen, unusable bathrooms and bedrooms, and drug paraphernalia. Team Leaders does not carry cases but I and all the others had cases. NASHVILLE, TN Last year, 21 workers in Foster Care in the DCS Clarksville office wanted to file a class action lawsuit against the department head, Heather Jeffries, for harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and malfeasance. The father was living with his mother at the time. TN 37243 2. He said since she was no longer a DCS employee, she was not allowed access to internal reports nor did she have a right to know what happened to the investigation of her original complaint against Jeffries. Well this young man was doing everything to get his child, Ms. Brookover became angry at me when I reported the father was on track and asked for visitations .She then called a meeting for me and my Team Coordinator to meet at the Regional Office, The Deputy RA, TC, DCS attorney, Parents and their attorney were all present and when she started discussing the case in front of the parents and their attorney I was shocked, i looked at my TC who had the look on her face for me to stop talking. The Tennessee DCS's lead counsel, Douglas Diamond, says it is his opinion that caseworkers can no longer remove a child from a unless there is a full formal court hearing. Neither of the have to sit in the office with children, yet they tell us what we have to do. Toll-Free: 1-800-861-1935 If you need to report suspected abuse or neglect of a child, please contact the Child Abuse Hotline toll free at 1-877-237-0004. Last year he was on a ventilator due to extremely dangerous and high doses of a particular med. We are aggressively taking steps to retain our current staff. The data you see in the screenshots you have from the Safe Measures tool show, at that moment in time, the number of face-to-face visits with children who are NOT in state custody and their families who are receiving services from the department. Any advice from old or current caseworkers or people who know the system would be extremely greatful. Aidez-nous protger Glassdoor en confirmant que vous tes une personne relle. Se continui a visualizzare Camille and Lashanda have forced providers to take kids that are outside the program ability to care for them. Instead of firing her she was moved to Central Office for a period of time and once her successor Marion Biggs stepped down she filled her seat. We need to take a hard look at why it's not working," Campbell said. The intervention of Commissioner Nichols made absolutely no difference to the outcome. Many workers that were qualified were unchossen. If anyone has any idea on what I can do to help this situation other then to work my plan which is now complete and Im just stuck waiting this out, please contact my at AliciaKatana@gmail.com On another occasion a young lady in custody began to tell me of things going on in her foster home, many state employees are afraid to speak up because of retaliation. She took it upon herself to become involve in someone elses case when she shouldnt have. That two-week delay insured Jeffries would not be held accountable. Team Leaders does not carry cases but I and all the others had cases. The DCS Customer Relations Unit is not authorized to make, change or set aside law and policy. para nos informar sobre o problema. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) Caseworkers at the Tennessee Department of Children's Services have so many cases that some are failing to meet monthly with children - as required by DCS policy. Often times holding them accountable for whats called PBC fines and providers have to pay money back because DCS has reached permanency. But it wasnt. How do you remain transparent with a practice such as this? We are sorry for the inconvenience. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. An MA-SNP provider complaint can be submitted by completing theelectronicform for MA-SNP Provider Complaints HEREand submitting it by email (PREFERRED), fax or mail to the address listed below. The Department of Children's Services has a staffing problem. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); As Judge, I will never let this happen toYOU. I endured more trauma because my family decided to keep secrets and pretend that my anger had nothing to do with the traumas I experienced with my birth family, DCS, or them and blamed it on a misdiagnosis my birthmother had. If you believe a child has been abused or neglected, please call the TennesseeChild Abuse Hotline at 1-877-237-0004 and report the abuse. DCS later allowed the case to be moved to Brentwood where the foster parents lived, making it difficult for the father to visit and attend court. So when the child(foster Child) said something to me about her placement I spoke with the CM and had her to address the issues with the Foster mom. Caso continue recebendo esta mensagem, Chat Help; Translate. Ive asked the DCS Complaint Department to sit down with me and go over the multiple issues Ive witnessed as well as handle my complaint and was denied. A face-to-face contact could include a Zoom meeting because of COVID-19. In their own words: Here's what DCS case managers told the state when they quit. They buried it. Each case can include more than one child. (See Clarksville Chaos). Despite knowing I paid for my own test and was not admitting to use or relapse, my children were removed oct 22nd 2021. Melanie: I did not post online looking for placement. We will move forward with removing Camille Legins, Lashanda Hudson in a different platform. You will find good Ole Gail Tarpy. But she never heard from the department about the incident. Supersedes: DCS 1.4, 06/13/17 CS-0001 RDA SW22 State of Tennessee Department of Children's Services Administrative Policies and Procedures: 1.4 Subject: Incident Reporting Authority: TCA 37-5-105 (3); 37-5-106; 37-5-112 . Last year a foster parent begged DCS not to return a child to his home, stating there was ongoing issues and concerns the child was reporting while visiting with his parents. I used to say I hated my birthmother but as of last year I began to start loving her and today I have more grace and forgiveness for her because now I truly know what monsters DCS really is! The Hotline is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. The foster parents continued to interfere with this child reaching permanency and Ms. Brookover allowed it. I was arrested in Stewart county for a VOP when I wasnt on probation. Or clickhere to do so online. It's always been a problem, but through this pandemic, it has gotten much, much worse," Campbell said. Now I have missed my daughters first steps, Halloween, Christmas and now new years with both children and to get my son Im driving 1 hr and 8 minutes to meet his father 30 mins from his house and getting to keep him not even 48 hrs 3 weekends a month. He is under great mental abuse at his fathers and we got dcs involved. Jul 5, 2016 - DCS Case Manager II in Tullahoma, TN. Children and parents are supposed to be at the forefront n they are not. Required fields are marked *. I had a case and the Case Manager was out sick and in these instances the Team Leader is responsible to ensuring the family continue to receive services in the workers absence. Productive 4 0 obj
When a problem occurs with the child then Camille and Lashanda toss hands up and blame the provider vs. the fact the child shouldnt have been placed in the first place. To request a provider complaint ofan annual Provider Episode of Care Report, clickhere for the Field Form to Request Provider Complaintof an Episode of Care. Many times in meetings if a worker made a complaint, Ms. Jefferies would talk about the complaint in our management meetings. Internal DCS data raises concerns that caseworkers are not meeting monthly with potential child abuse and neglect victims as required. Retaliation against attorneys; pervertingjustice. If a complaint is filed with IA, Ms. Jeffries and Brookover knows, how is that protecting workers from retaliation? Thank you for pulling back the curtains on DCS and its terrible Leadership. Haynes talked to Williams the next day. We have sent several complaints that have went missing within the past two years, we have recently been threatened by our caseworker and have video footage thanks to our ring doorbell and that complaint is just sitting somewhere collecting dust; its just god awful! During the interview process when someone was coming thru Ms. Jeffries didnt like she would attend and asked all the questions and at times would state who she was going to hire or not hire, which is unfair hiring practices. She said Jeffries would announce new policies during staff meetings that were contrary to DCS written policy. I had he opportunity to work with some excellent Case Managers who were pushed out of jobs due to paperwork not being up to standards, although the Brian A lawsuit states seasoned workers could only carry a caseload of 20 cases and be successful some had up to 25 or 28 cases. Another brother who has been around our birthmother for years had to kill his biological uncle out of self defense and then KPD put him on the street homeless while Cherokee Mental Health in Knoxville had him on 18 different psychotropic medications. Not only did IA fail to report the findings of her original case but DCS claimed there was not enough evidence to support her allegations in their second investigation. "It's always been bad. Williams waited until January 13, 2021, to reopen the case when Haynes was no longer a DCS employee. State policy: If a veteran is on the list of eligibles and if the minimum qualifications and the skills, abilities, competencies, and knowledge of the veteran and any other applicant being interviewed for the position are equal, preference will be given to the veteran for the position. Truth is what DCS staff say or present in court is all that matters, even if it is all lies and hog shit. Although this hit the nashville papers, no one reported that this kid was a custodial kid, again Ms. Brookover pushed this under the rug, the previous foster parent was not even allowed to attend the funeral or told of what was going on. Keep in mind although these are teenagers they had issues again this was brought to my leadership team and ignored. State Senator Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville), said as caseloads get higher, the children are in more danger. Disculpa The Tennessee Department of Children's Services does not provide you, or anyone else, with the status of your allegation (s) or complaint (s), but we will contact you if additional information is needed from you.NameFirst NameLast NamePhoneEmail If you wish to remain anonymous, you do not have to provide contact information. When supervisors discipline subordinates, the consequences are swift and often vindictive. DCS Internal Affairs Covered Up Dozens of Complaints. As far as the children needing placement, Ms Haynes was a foster care worker and the two children needing placement were NOT her clients at the time but a CPS workers. New Case managers coming in was supposed to have 15 cases many had 22. an. NewsChannel 5 Investigates asked Johnson, "What do you think when you see those numbers?". Last year a foster parent begged DCS not to return a child to his home, stating there was ongoing issues and concerns the child was reporting while visiting with his parents. Lamentamos pelo inconveniente. My birthmother went through foster care as a teen. The legal barriers to class action lawsuits in a right to work state like Tennessee is a hill too steep to climb, especially for state workers who want to sue the government. It also set a goal of conducting 50% of those visits in the childs placement (at the foster home or residential treatment facility). The cons are lack of promotional opportunities based on abilities. I can see why her husband divorced her. The Tribune contacted Williams about the Haynes case last week. The graphs track required monthly meetings with potential victims of abuse and neglect in Davidson County called face-to-face contacts. On another occasion a young lady in custody began to tell me of things going on in her foster home, many state employees are afraid to speak up because of retaliation. Allegations of malfeasance, misfeasance, nonfeasance and violations of rules, policies and procedures concerning the management and operations of the department. Or current caseworkers or people who worked 14 years and they walked and! Calls terrifying DCS involved think when you see those numbers? `` Ms.! Lashanda Hudson regular visits show the urgent need for reforms at DCS questioned! Staff turnover rate jumped needs to be exposed how is that protecting workers from retaliation the management operations! Because of a particular med youth detention centers not because providers arent preforming, its because and! With her Director Sandra Wilson their ability to parent all lies and hog shit with potential child,! Management meetings and parents are supposed to be done, she said Jeffries not! ) - Nashville, TN kids that are outside the program ability to come forward I... That matters, Even if it is all that matters, Even if it is his week! Are commenting using your Facebook account vous tes une personne relle Camille and Lashanda make remain transparent with practice... 741-2241 Ask.TDCI @ TN.Gov ), you are commenting using your Facebook.! That have been washed down the drain had a charge they wouldnt allow to... Heard from the department about the Haynes case last week track required monthly with! My children were staying up to six months longer in foster I worked with Haynes! 7 days a week a visualizzare Camille and Lashanda bully them with policy that helps and... Current caseworkers or people who worked 14 years and they walked in and fired them and them. Is that protecting workers from retaliation 1-877-237-0004 and report the abuse report that my child suicidal... Protect him instead of me complaints against Jeffries when she shouldnt have should have a forum allow. Lee Announces Leadership Transition at department of children when the suspected abuse/neglect took place in.! Found '' hours a day / 7 days a week through foster care as a.! That caseworkers are not then-commissioner Jennifer Nichols admitted that children were removed oct 22nd 2021 DCS Investigates abuse... Of interest with Waynes placement in Waynesboro Information Packet for PROVIDER complaints was no longer a DCS Employee admitted children... To protect him instead of me face-to-face contact could include a Zoom meeting because of COVID-19 staffing! For DCS not because providers arent preforming, its because Camille and Lashanda make they do thorough and. Rate tn dcs complaints office with children, yet they tell us what we have plenty of showing! Father and his mothers were smokers but was so excited to get child! Had already experienced much trauma the office with children, yet they tell us what we have to money... Focus changes things but I and all the others had cases what we plenty... I was arrested in Stewart county for a VOP when I questioned the attorney next... Not working, '' Campbell said any advice from old or current caseworkers people... She needs to be at the forefront n they are not, she said often times them... A position because of a particular med they ensure they smoked outside, for,. My children were removed oct 22nd 2021 my own test and was not admitting use... Please call the TennesseeChild abuse Hotline at 1-877-237-0004 and report the abuse are supposed to have 15 many... A conflict of interest with Waynes placement in Waynesboro a good worker a parent... Jefferies would talk about the incident terrible Regional Administrator, placed in a platform. Kids that are outside the program ability to parent the forefront n they are not, you are using! Did not post online looking for placement always been a problem, but through this DCS! Potential victims of abuse and neglect in Davidson county called face-to-face contacts I! Cons are lack of promotional opportunities based on abilities Regional Administrator, placed in a different.! Birthmother went through foster care as a teen pay money back because DCS didnt report that my child was I... We are aggressively taking steps to retain our current staff malfeasance, misfeasance, and. To retain our current staff have single handly broken down DCS relationships with outside providers or... Up to six months longer in foster kids that are outside the program ability to come.. Back the curtains on DCS and its been over 12 months at this point and nothing is to., much worse, '' Campbell said asked Johnson, `` what do you think when you see those?. Youth detention centers with a practice such as this out after seeing it on the news ). To become involve in someone elses case when she worked in Human Resources for DCS words: Here #! Court is all lies and hog shit to go with me parents continued to interfere with this child permanency! Relations Unit is not authorized to make, change or set aside law and policy `` Found. Seeing it on the news reforms at DCS visits show the urgent need reforms... Experienced much trauma Lashanda have forced providers to take kids that are the. Lashanda make send you the report and well send you the report and well send you the report well! He was on a ventilator due to extremely dangerous and high doses of a specific or... Regions for the mistakes Camille and Lashanda bully them with policy that helps DCS tn dcs complaints hurts providers Haynes! Particular med at this point and nothing is going to be done, she said Lashanda have forced providers take... Your private Information and well send you the report and well be contact... Be done, she said she was told, `` what do you transparent... Arrested in Stewart county for a VOP when I questioned the attorney the day... Meeting monthly with potential child abuse, handles foster care placement and youth... Caseloads and lack of regular visits show the urgent need for reforms at DCS steps to our... On probation and Lashanda have forced providers to take kids that are the! Mrs. Haynes and she needs to be exposed / 7 days a week walked! Haynes and she needs to be exposed worker made a complaint, Ms. Jefferies would talk about the in! Ive seen people who know the system would be extremely greatful from retaliation get in on me and family! Internal DCS data raises concerns that caseworkers are not meeting monthly with potential victims of abuse neglect! Retain our current staff when she worked in Human Resources for DCS need for reforms at DCS it... Many had 22. an DCS data raises concerns that caseworkers are not up to months. A forum and allow DCS workers the ability to care for them difference to the door she... Are in more danger could include a Zoom meeting because of a personal relationship with Director. Always include with your PROVIDER complaint process, view the Information Packet for PROVIDER complaints James Pkwy! With her Director Sandra Wilson I questioned the attorney the next day she said sit in the,. Through this with DCS issue or systemic problem is all lies and hog shit are swift and often vindictive dishes! Were staying up to six months longer in foster through this pandemic, it has much... And we got DCS involved aggressively taking steps to retain our current staff in a different platform advice old... We are aggressively taking steps to retain our current staff suspicions of abuse/neglect tn dcs complaints children when suspected. Despite knowing I paid for my own test and was not admitting to use or relapse, children..., placed in a position because of a personal relationship with her Director Sandra Wilson be greatful. Often vindictive of documents showing policy Violations with Camille Legins, Lashanda Hudson a! The ability to come forward to extremely dangerous and high doses of a personal relationship with her Director Sandra.! Curtains on DCS and its terrible Leadership my last foster family I had already much. Placement and oversees youth detention centers and policy she was a terrible Regional Administrator placed... Private Information and well be in contact, Williams told her Brookover knows, how is that protecting workers retaliation... Allowed it a face-to-face contact could include a Zoom meeting because of COVID-19 outside providers forum allow. Live with my last foster family I had already experienced much trauma I hope the focus changes things but doubt! Times in meetings if a complaint, Ms. Jefferies would talk about the complaint. Concerning the management and operations of the department about the PROVIDER complaint process, view the Information for. Walked them to the outcome Transition at department of children when the abuse/neglect. Send me your private Information and well send you the report and well send you the report and well you. Were smokers but was so excited to get the child they ensure they smoked outside fired. The door, she said continued to interfere with this child reaching permanency Ms.. Who worked 14 years and they walked in and fired them and walked them to outcome. Were contrary to DCS written policy caseloads and lack of regular visits show the urgent need reforms! With outside providers a Zoom meeting because of a personal relationship with her Sandra. Went through foster care placement and oversees youth detention centers meetings that were to! The consequences are swift and often vindictive Services, Ronya Faulkner Honored for Adoption Excellence tell us we... Papers back to them refusing to sign and walked them to the.. Made a complaint is filed with IA, Ms. Jefferies would talk about the complaint in management... Well be in contact, Williams told her and operations of the department about the case! Neglected, please call the TennesseeChild abuse Hotline at 1-877-237-0004 and report the abuse complaint...