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Workers describe “unmanageable” caseloads, high turnover and low morale at Department of Children’s Services
Caseloads are too high, turnover is constant and morale has reached new lows, a March survey of workers responsible for protecting Tennessee children from abuse and neglect revealed. The internal Department of Children’s survey obtained by Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, and Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville — released to reporters Thursday — included scores of comments […]
“This is real and this is happening”: Tennessee pediatricians urge masks, vaccines as kids’ COVID cases rise
The pediatricians at Niswonger Children’s Hospital had an urgent message for the community they serve in the northeastern-most corner of Tennessee, where 46 new COVID cases in one day this week — 22% of all positive tests — were among kids under the age of 18. “It hurts me to say that in the past […]
Dixie calls for Department of Children’s Services investigation
Rep. Vincent Dixie, D-Nashville is calling on the chairs of the legislative Government Operations Committee to conduct an investigation into the Department of Children’s Services after the Tennessee Lookout reported kids in state custody are being forced to sleep on the floor of state office buildings. “Recent reports of children in state custody sleeping on […]
Kids in state custody forced to sleep on floors in state office building
A teenage girl in a pink hoodie and jeans slept restlessly in a downtown Nashville office, with no pillow, sheet, blanket, mattress or pad separating her from the carpeted floor. Another teen slept directly on the floor, too, huddled under a single blanket. A few feet away, two elementary-school-age kids slept head to toe on […]
Tennessee families struggle with state agencies to get home-based care for those with disabilities
MOHAWK, Tenn. — Drama Bryant’s entire life has revolved around caring for her little brother, Jay, who — at 32 years old — requires 24/7 assistance as a result of congenital conditions that leave him unable to eat, bathe, go the bathroom, speak or walk unassisted. Jay Bryant has Down syndrome and autism, suffers seizures, […]
Department of Children’s Services not tracking vaccines for kids in custody
The Department of Children’s Services has stripped its references to the “critical importance” of the COVID vaccine from guidance given to foster parents and removed from its website complete data on the number of kids who have gotten sick. The agency has also failed to respond to questions since last week about whether it is […]
‘Going in the wrong direction’: positivity rates surge in 10 rural Tennessee counties
In 10 rural Tennessee counties, a key indicator of COVID-19 spread — the testing positivity rate — is surging to levels not seen since the spring. Positivity rates measure the number of positive tests among all those testing for COVID-19. In June, Tennessee was seeing a positively rate, also known as “attack rate,” under 3% […]
With growth comes the need for new drinking water sources in Marshall County
Marshall County, located outside what was once considered the boundary edge of growing suburbs circling Nashville, has seen explosive growth of its own in recent years — call it the Williamson County overflow effect, says County Mayor Mike Keny. Drawn by more affordable housing, jobs and the rural character of the county — about an hour […]
Wilson County residents push back against state efforts to approve limestone quarry
Marsha Midgett and her husband have been raising livestock on family land owned for generations in east Wilson County, but she now worries that the state’s steps toward approving a permit for rock mining quarry may put the future of their farm in jeopardy. The Midgetts rely on wells for drinking water. Ponds on their […]
Controversial plan to expand Middle Point Landfill rejected
A regional board, meeting in Murfreesboro on Friday evening, rejected plans to expand a household waste landfill in Rutherford County — a decision with far-reaching consequences for surrounding counties that rely on the Middle Point facility to take in residents’ trash. The landfill is the only facility in Middle Tennessee that takes in household garbage. […]
Lookout in Brief: USDA seeks public comment on racial justice and equity in program access
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking public input on its record of racial justice, equity and access for underserved communities. The federal agency oversees a vast amount of programs that include SNAP — commonly referred to as “food stamps,” summer food programs for kids in poverty and loans and subsidies for farmers. The public […]
Tennessee turns to Portland, Oregon model for ending rape kit backlog
In Portland, Oregon, more than 5,000 untested rape kits were discovered in evidence storage lockers in 2015. Three years later, the backlog in testing those kits was down to almost zero and five suspects had been convicted. Tennessee law enforcement officials are now looking to the Portland model to provide justice and accountability for sexual […]