New Tennessee Laws strengthening penalties for Crimes against Children to become effective on Thursday
June 30, 2021
Nashville, TN – Several new laws protecting children are set to take effect on July 1st in Tennessee. This includes major Truth in Sentencing legislation ensuring parole and probation are not options for those found guilty of certain violent crimes that historically target women and children.
Tennessee State Capitol
Tennessee Department of Children’s Services takes action after Juvenile Tests Positive for COVID-19
April 24, 2020
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services is working with the Tennessee Department of Health and the COVID-19 Unified Command to conduct a surge mass testing event at a Memphis youth treatment facility one day after a juvenile there tested positive.
Coronavirus
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Commissioner Jennifer Nichols urge everyone to report suspected Child Abuse, Neglect during Coronavirus Pandemic
April 2, 2020
Child Abuse and Neglect are Potential Collateral Damages of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
Nashville, TN – On Wednesday, April 1st, 2020, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee joined Department of Children’s Services Commissioner Jennifer Nichols to call on all Tennesseans to pay extra attention to the children in their lives and in their communities as the response to stop the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) could lead to an increase in child abuse and neglect and a decrease in reported allegations.
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam Opens Tennessee Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy
July 8, 2017
Alternative residential program operated by the Tennessee National Guard
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has officially opened the Tennessee Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy, an alternative residential program operated by the Tennessee National Guard that offers youth between ages 16-18 who have dropped out of school a chance to earn a high school equivalency diploma outside of a traditional school setting.
The academy is housed at the site of the former Woodland Hills Youth Development Center in Nashville where Haslam was joined Friday by Deputy Governor Jim Henry and Major General Max Haston for a ribbon cutting ceremony. The first class of approximately 100 cadets is set to begin July 9th, 2017.
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.
Tennessee National Guard Youth Challenge Program Ready to Roll
February 5, 2017
Nashville, TN – Early last year Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, Deputy Governor Jim Henry, Commissioner of Children’s Services Bonnie Hommrich and Major General Max Haston announced that Tennessee is the latest state to be approved by the Department of Defense for a National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program.
After months of preparation, the Tennessee Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy (TNVCA) is ready to become a reality.
The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program is a 17-month, voluntary, second-chance program for 16-to 18-year-old struggling youth who may have dropped out of school or behind in credits.
Bill Haslam Announces National Guard Youth Challenge Program
June 22, 2016
Alternative Residential Program part of Governor’s Public Safety Action Plan
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam today announced with Major General Max Haston of the Department of Military and Department of Children’s Services (DCS) Commissioner Bonnie Hommrich that Tennessee has been approved by the U.S. Department of Defense for a National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program.
American Heart Association’s 12th annual National Wear Red Day is Friday, February 6th
February 2, 2015
Biggest-ever National Wear Red Day features buildings, people, places going red for women’s heart health; many local activities coming
Nashville, TN – The Middle Tennessee skyline will take on a special heartwarming red glow next Friday.
Twenty-two local buildings will be lighting up red as part of the 12th annual National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 6th, as part of the biggest Go Red celebration ever in Middle Tennessee. This icon day of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement is the day when everyone Goes Red across the nation to support women’s fight against heart disease, their No. 1 killer.
American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day
TBI reports Benton County Man Arrested for Abuse, Death of Infant
August 26, 2014
Jackson, TN – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation yielded warrants that led to the arrest today of a 25-year old Benton County man, charged with first degree murder and aggravated child abuse of a seven-month-old child.
On August 22nd, 2014, at the request of 24th District Attorney Hansel McAdams, TBI Special Agents, with the assistance of deputies from the Benton County Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Children’s Services, investigated the death of Joseph Hilliard.
Westlee Waylon Yates from Benton County was arrested Monday, August 25th for murder and abuse of a seven month old child.
Tennessee Governor, Commissioners announce Strategic Plan To Tackle Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic
June 12, 2014
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam joined Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) Commissioner E. Douglas Varney and others today to announce “Prescription for Success,” the state’s plan to prevent and treat prescription drug abuse in Tennessee.
Prescription drug abuse is a pervasive, multi-dimensional issue impacting Tennessee individuals, families, and communities. Of the 4,850,000 adults in Tennessee, it is estimated that nearly 5 percent (about 221,000) have used pain relievers, also known as prescription opioids, in the past year for non-medical purposes. Of those, it is estimated that 69,100 are addicted to prescription opioids and require treatment for prescription opioid abuse.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3rR_JCkAnc[/youtube] [Read more]
Tennessee launches additional efforts in 2013 to reduce the number of Drug-Dependent Newborns
April 4, 2014
Nashville, TN – In 2013, 921 newborns in Tennessee experienced withdrawal from drugs their mothers used while pregnant.
Many people across Tennessee, including a group of state leaders, are working to reduce that number and in the past year launched several efforts to help prevent the suffering and expenses associated with the condition known as neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad07PjZOlU8[/youtube] [Read more]
