DCS Talks

DCSTalks

DCS Talks, is a podcast production of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. The intention of DCS Talks is to promote dialogue among child welfare professionals, foster parents and the entire community about ways to prevent child abuse and neglect.

  1. 04/30/2025

    DCS Talks about Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities with Dr. Paiml

    DCS Talks about Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities with Dr. Paiml

    22 min

  2. 04/30/2025

    DCS Talks about Autism and ASD with Dr. Alexa Dixon

    DCS Talks about Autism and ASD with Dr. Alexa Dixon

    23 min

  3. 12/03/2024

    DCS Talks about Foster Fathers - Chris Templeton (Part 3)

    In this episode of DCS Talks, foster parent trainer Toney Horton sits down with foster dad, Chris Templeton. Together, they discuss what it means to be a foster father and the impact this has on the child as well as the parent.

    19 min

  4. 12/03/2024

    DCS Talks about Foster Fathers - Anthony Johnson (Part 1)

    In this episode of DCS Talks, foster parent trainer Toney Horton sits down with foster father, Anthony Johnson. Together, they discuss what parenting techniques best help children as well as how foster and biological parents can work as a team.

    26 min

  5. 12/03/2024

    DCS Talks about Foster Fathers - Anthony Johnson (Part 2)

    This is part 2 of Toney Horton's interview with Mr. Anthony Johnson, a current foster and adoptive parent. If you have not listened to part 1, yet, I highly encourage you to listen to the previous episode first, for context. Join us today as we discuss what it means to be a foster father, as Mr. Johnson shares his experiences and Mr. Horton challenges this foster father with real-world scenarios.

    28 min

  6. 10/21/2024

    DCS Talks about Termination of Parental Rights with Susan Kovac

    In this episode of DCS Talks, we have Susan Kovac with us to discuss Termination of Parental Rights.  Ms. Kovac has serves as General Counsel Emerita at Department of Children’s Services where she served as the lead attorney for the Knox County Region as well as serving as an Associate Professor at the UT Knoxville School of Law for over 13 years. We have asked Ms. Kovac to join us today to discuss Termination of Parental Rights through the perspective of the child welfare legal system.

    25 min

  7. 09/19/2024

    DCS Talks about Mindfulness with Steve Vann

    In this episode of DCS Talks, we have Steve Vann with us to discuss mindfulness in child welfare. Mr. Vann is a professional counselor who serves as an Assessment Consultant with the Center of Excellence for Children in State Custody at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Beyond serving our agency through assessment consultation Mr. Vann is also a regular practitioner of mindfulness and with all his experiences, he is sensitized to the stress experienced in the child welfare community whether you are a case manager, foster parent or community partner there are  a lot of stressors in child welfare! I have asked Steve to join us today to discuss different ways to experience mindfulness and why these practices are so important in child welfare.

    35 min

  8. 09/19/2024

    DCS Talks about Assessing for the Commercial Exploitation of Minors

    In this episode of DCS Talks, we have Shelby Johnson with us to discuss assessing for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Minors . Ms. Johnson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who serves as an Assessment Consultant with the Center of Excellence for Children in State Custody at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Beyond serving our agency through assessment consultation Ms. Johnson also served as a case manager and team leader at DCS and has worked in the education system as a social worker. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children or CSEM refers to a range of criminal activities such as sex trafficking, pornography, early marriage, essentially it is sexual abuse of a minor for financial benefit including an exchange of anything of value.

    21 min
See All (62)

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About

DCS Talks, is a podcast production of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. The intention of DCS Talks is to promote dialogue among child welfare professionals, foster parents and the entire community about ways to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Information

  • Creator
    DCSTalks
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © DCSTalks
  • Show Website
    DCS Talks