General Info

The Department of Children s Services, governed by the state of Tennessee, is a public child welfare agency that is responsible for investigating cases related to child abuse and neglect. The department works to find foster and group homes and other residential settings, as well as adoptive families for shelterless and at-risk children. It operates a division of juvenile justice that provides counseling, medical treatment, rehabilitative, and academic and vocational training programs for youthful offenders who are sent by courts. The Department of Children s Services operates more than four youth development centers and over 10 community residential program homes. The Department of Children s Services supports more than 7,000 children in state custody.