Blackburn Names Committee to Overhaul Tennessee Child Welfare Agency

Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn announced on Wednesday that she has appointed an advisory committee to review the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. The group will assess the department’s current operations, organizational structure, and ongoing challenges. Blackburn said in a statement, “We have a responsibility to ensure the department is operating as effectively as possible.”

The committee is chaired by Jim Henry, who previously served as the head of DCS under former Governor Bill Haslam. Other members include Cameron Smith, Cleo Griffin, and Maggie McNally Kimball. Henry stated that the group’s goal is to gather insights, review the facts, and provide recommendations to Blackburn as she considers the future of the agency.

Families and advocates have reported problems with DCS for years. A state audit conducted last year noted some improvements but also identified serious and wide-ranging issues. The report found insufficient and untimely investigations into child abuse and neglect. It also cited delayed reporting of child fatalities and near fatalities.

The audit highlighted the department's continued reliance on temporary housing for extended periods, particularly for hard-to-place children. It further noted delayed medical and dental screenings for children in DCS care and inadequate oversight of residential facilities and youth detention centers.

Local and national investigative journalists have examined the state's child welfare and juvenile justice systems. A recent investigation by WPLN and ProPublica found that a youth prison company licensed by DCS failed to report suspected abuse to the state as required. The new committee will begin its review of the department's performance and structure in the coming months.