Blackburn names DCS review team

Gov.-elect Marsha Blackburn announced the formation of a four-person advisory committee in Nashville to evaluate the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. The panel is tasked with examining the agency's current operations before Blackburn assumes office in January.

The department has faced years of litigation and allegations that it failed to protect children in its care. Blackburn stated that the state has a duty to ensure the agency functions effectively for Tennessee’s most vulnerable children. Her team described the goal as gathering information to support informed decision-making during her first months in office.

Jim Henry will serve as the committee chairman. The other three members are Cameron Smith, Maggie Kimball, and Cleo Griffin. The group will assess the department's challenges and identify specific areas for improvement. They will then determine the best path forward for the agency's future operations.

The review comes after state Rep. Aftyn Behn filed 14 civil rights complaints against DCS earlier this year. Behn represented families in these complaints, which she said involved disability discrimination and sexual assaults within DCS placements. She noted that the current system is not working for Tennessee families.

Blackburn's campaign said the committee will focus on reviewing the department's overall operations and the specific challenges it faces. The findings will help shape recommendations for the agency's structure and policies. The committee will deliver its assessment to Blackburn before her inauguration in January.