Roots and Wings

The Department of Children Services has partnered with the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to start a program that aims to put money in the pockets of families and guardians who are caring for children in foster care that also have intellectual disabilities. The Tennessee Strong Families Healthcare Reimbursement Account  provides up to $20,000 annually for those families. Podcast host, Jonquil Newland, sits down with Babs Tierno, the deputy director of Tennessee Strong Families with the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to discuss the details. Additional Resources;TN Strong Families Healthcare Reimbursement Account (HRA)Email: tn.strong.families@tn.gov  

Conversations around autism spectrum disorder or ASD are happening more often as the number of children and youth diagnosed with ASD continues to significantly increase. Ascend Autism's Clinical Director Sharon Dudhnath-Grotsky and Co Founder Nathan Kronforst sit down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss the  resources available for Tennessee families. 

The number one killer of children older than 1 in Tennessee are firearms. It's a very hard statistic to fathom, especially since many of those deaths are preventable. For children and youth younger than 17-years-old, Tennessee's rate of gun deaths is 36 percent higher than the national average. Dr. Kelsey Gastineau is a pediatrician at Monroe Carrel Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and a national expert on firearm violence. She sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss this hard truth and the hope that exists to make a change. ResourcesVanderbilt Center for Child Health Policy Poll Sycamore ReportSAFER Safe Storage Prevents Harm (AAP online free course)One Step Closer to Safer: Counseling Outcomes form American Academy of Pediatrics Firearm Safe Storage Education Training Improving the Frequency and Documentation of Gun Safety Counseling in a Resident Primary Care Clinic Project Child Safe 

Child care costs across the nation and in Tennessee are rising. While there are several challenges facing the child care market in general, there are also state partners and organizations working to make child care more accessible and affordable for Tennessee families. Director of Child Care Services with the Department of Human Services Gwen Laaser sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss the challenges that face the child care industry and the resources available. 

This podcast episode highlights some of the work Tennessee state representatives have accomplished that benefits children and families and how the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth has served in a supporting role. Senator Page Walley sits down with podcast host Jonquil Newland to discuss the state's work and where can strive to improve. 

To educate the public on the importance of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth and why the agency exists, this episode looks back in history to 35 years ago. At the time, Bill Purcell was a new member of the Tennessee House of Representatives and went on to become the House Majority Leader and Chair of the Select Committee on Children and Youth. Purcell sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to look back on the tone of the legislator at the time and how elected officials worked across party lines for the betterment of children and youth in Tennessee. 

This year's legislative session was a very active one with policy makers making local, state, and national headlines on more than one occasion. One of those instances directly impacted the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth when a bill was introduced which aimed to dismantle the entire agency. While the bill was tabled, TCCY realized there was an opportunity to educate the public and policy makers about what we do at the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth and say thank you to the people and organizations who spoke up to support the agency. TCCY Executive Director Richard Kennedy sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to explain what happened and to give thanks.  

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention links adverse childhood experiences, like child abuse, as one of the main reasons for long-term health impacts in America. In Tennessee, the most recent data shows there were nearly 70,000 reported cases of child abuse and neglect in 2020. Nurture the Next President and CEO Kristen Davis, sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss how we all play a role in preventing child abuse and what resources are available for parents who need help. Aside from her role as the president and CEO of Nurture the next, Davis serves as a member of the Joint Task Force on Children's Justice/Child Sexual Abuse.  

Students are beginning to head back into the classroom, but the summer season isn't over. For some families, the summer months bring extra challenges. Department of Human Services Assistant Commissioner Marcia McShane sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss programs like food services, transitioning services and child care services that are available during the summer months and throughout the year to help Tennessee families. Additional Resources DHS website USDA Summer Food Program Jobs4TNDHS help hotline: 615-313-4700  

Sometimes, parents are not always able to care for their children, maybe the child has been neglected or abused. In those instances, the child may be placed with a safe and loving relative to help prevent them from getting placed into or re-enter the state's foster care system. The program provides crucial support for families who decide to step into a child's life after a traumatic experience. Program Coordinator Aisha Abu-Asaba sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss the program and how it benefits Tennessee children and families. Additional Resources; DCS Relative Caregiver Program website.  Program hotline number: 833-984-1498 

Collective trauma are long-term psychological effects that are shared by a vast group of people. The mental health impact of a global pandemic, natural disasters, and tragic events are far reaching. Ingrid Cockhren is the director of PACEs Connection, she sits down with podcast host Jonquil Newland to discuss the impacts of collective trauma and how to cope. 

Families are still feeling the financial burden caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are some tax credits that can help, for example the 2021 Child Tax Credit. Terry Reed, the Financial Literacy Manager for Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee in east Tennessee sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland to help explain what this is, who qualifies and how it works . Additional Resources Advanced Child Tax Credit Payment: IRS web siteKnoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee: YouTube video

Beginning on April, 5 anyone who is 16 and older and wants a COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible to get it. Tennessee is several months into the vaccine distribution process, but a lot of people still have questions about the vaccine, its side effects and possible health implications down the road. Tennessee Department of Health Assistant Commissioner and Director of the Division of Family Health and Wellness, Dr. Tobi Amosun sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss a pediatrician's view of the pandemic and how our new normal is near.    

Amanda Johnson is the school nurse coordinator for the Tennessee Department of Education. On this episode of Roots and Wings she sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss how school nurses have been impacted in the last year and what role they play in a student's healthcare needs in a post-pandemic world. Additional Resources: Coordinated School Health Website 

On this episode, Director of Child Well-Being Jenn Drake-Croft sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland to discuss infant mental health and how it's been impacted by the global pandemic. Additional Resources: Building Strong Brains Tennessee YouTube Videos

Every child and student in Tennessee has been impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Students with disabilities and special education instructors have been faced with even more challenges than what they're used to experiencing. Theresa Nicholls is the Assistant Commissioner of Special Populations with the Tennessee Department of Education. She sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss how students with disabilities have been impacted by the pandemic and resources available to families. Additional Resources: TN Dept. of Edu Special EducationThe Arc of Tennessee

More than 8,000 Tennesseans have died from complications of COVID-19 and there are currently more than 650,000 active cases statewide. Health experts across the globe all agree, the only way to slow the pandemic and hopefully one day end it, is to get vaccinated. The Tennessee Health Department's Medical Director of the Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program Dr. Michelle Fiscus sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, and speaks candidly about how the vaccine roll out is going, when families can expect to get one and how it works inside the body. Resources Tennessee COVID-19 Information Hub (covid19tn.gov)

This fall Governor Bill Lee helped to expand the School-Based Behavioral Health Liaison Program which directly serves Tennessee students who have or at risk for Serious Emotional Disturbance or SED. TDMHSAS's Director of School Based Initiatives Kayla Mumphrey sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss the program expansion and how it serves teachers and students across Tennessee. Additional Resources: Children's Behavior Safety Net School Based Behavioral Health Liaison Program

It's normal to experience Seasonal Affective Disorder during the winter season. However, this season, much like most of 2020, will be far from normal. The pandemic may have an increased impact on those who suffer with depression and isolation. Centerstone Regional Vice President Beth Hail sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss S.A.D. in the year of COVID and how you can help your family's mental health through the winter months.

This is the third episode in a miniseries throughout the month of September that focuses on the stories of Tennessee families, specifically how their lives have changed throughout the past several months. On this episode, local mom Sipel Ibrahim sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss the challenges her family has faced and worked through since the pandemic began. Check out some of the resources mentioned in the podcast below! Additional Resources State Resources are Available to Help Ease the Financial Burden of COVID-19 Regional Intervention Program Helps Families Work Through Challenging Behavior Regional Intervention Program -TDMHSAS

On this episode we continue our mini series throughout the month of September that focuses on the stories of Tennessee families, specifically how their lives have changed throughout the past several months due to COVID-19. Katie Cundy is a local mom and developmental therapist who works with young children across the state. We hope listeners can take away some valuable tips from this discussion!

A Parent's Story is a mini series that will publish throughout the month of September and aims to highlight stories of parents and their families as we navigate a very interesting year. On this episode of Roots and Wings, podcast host Jonquil Newland chats with mom of four and local certified family support specialist, Amy Blackwell. Listen in as they discuss the challenges of navigating a global pandemic and the behavioral challenges that have come with it. Connect and find resources for Tennessee families: https://tnvoices.org/https://www.facebook.com/tnvoicesforchildrenhttps://socacrosstn.org/https://www.facebook.com/SOCacrossTN

We’re going on five months of living in a global pandemic. Many Tennessee families have seen a change in income or experienced several hard ships for the first time because of the COVID 19 pandemic. All of these changes can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety for parents and guardians. On this episode of Roots and Wings we’re going to highlight several ways parents can take care of their mental health and that of their children as the year moves forward. Resources mentioned in the podcast:OCA Helpline at TDMHSAS: 1-800-560-5767 (M-F 8:00-4:30)TDMHSAS Crisis: 855-CRISIS-1 (855-247-7471) or "Text TN" to 741-741RIP: www.tn.gov/parenting-that-works Project BASIC: https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-for-children-and-youth/programs---services/programs-and-services/basic--better-attitudes-and-skills-in-children.html National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI): · https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/emergency/index.html Additional Mental Health Resources: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a national disaster distress helpline: 1-800-985-5990SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELPTN STEP: https://tnstep.org/

Did you know 3 out of 4 Nashville third graders are not reading on grade level? This early literacy deficit has challenged the city for more than two decades. One program working to change this is the Blueprint for Early Childhood Success program, which utilizes resources from several area organization and non-profits. On this episode of Roots and Wings Christiane Buggs and Rene Dillard, both with the United Way of Greater Nashville, discuss the program and resources for families and educators with podcast host, Jonquil Newland. Resources referenced in the podcast: Blueprint for Early Childhood SuccesseduTOOLBOX Bright by Text

Dr. Kecia Carroll is the Associate Professor of Pediatrics and the Director of Faculty Inclusion and Diversity for the Pediatric Office of Faculty Development. On this episode of Roots and Wings she sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss the current racial climate in America and how families and adults can have healthy discussions about race and racial injustice with their families, children and youth.

On this episode of Roots and Wings we highlight several state programs that are available to families who have been impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic. Programs like SNAP have served the community for years while new programs like the P-EBT program were implemented because of the hardships families faced to due the global pandemic. Keisha Thaxton with the Tennessee Department of Human Services talks with host, Jonquil Newland, about how programs like these benefit families.

On this episode of Roots and Wings we discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our mental health. Melissa Binkley with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is the program director for the Regional Intervention Program, a parent-implemented, professionally supported program for young children and their families who are experiencing challenging behavior. She sits down with host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss all things mental health and family related. Resources mentioned in podcast:Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a national disaster distress helpline: 1-800-985-5990TDMHSAS Office of Consumer Affairs Helpline – 1-800-560-5767 (M-F 8:00-4:30)TDMHSAS Crisis 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471) or Text “TN” to 741-741SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP

Beginning in early May, many counties across Tennessee announced plans to phase in a reopen for the economy. Some of the largest and most populated counties remain closed. Your family may be wondering when things will get back to normal. Unfortunately, we'll be returning to a new normal. Nashville pediatrician Dr. Carolina Clark, with the Tennessee Department of Health, sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss how life may be changing for Tennesseans in the wake of a global pandemic.

The Early Success Coalition in Memphis works to promote healthy babies and strong families. Program director, Kellie Mitchell sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss the work of the Early Success Coalition and why every family in Memphis with small children can benefit!

We are living through a global pandemic, it's a first for most if not all of us. For parents and guardians it can be a challenge to answer your kids' questions or ease their fears when you are stressed or uncertain too. First, relax...we're all in this together. Second, take Dr. Carolina Clark's advice! Dr. Clark is a Nashville pediatrician who works with the Tennessee Department of Health. She sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss all things COVID-19! Additional Resources: kidcentral tn Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Child Injury PreventionTennessee Suicide Prevention Network

Since it was founded in 1992, the Nashville Children’s Alliance has worked to reduce the trauma of child abuse victims and their families by conducting forensic interviews, working with the Department of Children Services, the Metro Nashville Police Department and the District Attorney General’s office to make sure no child falls through the cracks. Lori Myers is the clinical director at the Nashville Children’s Alliance and sits down with host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss childhood trauma and help for families.

Several counties across Tennessee are listed as child care deserts and the average yearly payment a family will fork out for child care is around $7,400 and rising. On this episode of Roots and Wings, Heather Hicks with the Child Care Resource and Referral Network (CCR&R) sits down with host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss some of the biggest challenges facing child care facilities and professionals in Tennessee and her advice for parents looking for the best child care for their family.

Elandriel works with United Way of Metropolitan Nashville as the manager of Early Learning Initiatives. On this podcast episode, she sits down with host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss Social Emotional Learning, SEL and Environmental Learning, EE, and how it impacts a developing brain and youth behavior.

Nearly 20 percent of youth between 13 and 18-years-old experience severe mental disorders in a given year. About half the number of children with a mental illness do not receive any services or help. While data and numbers tend to focus on older youth and teens, young children and be heavily impacted as well. On this episode the supervisor for the Pediatric Therapy Program at Mental Health Cooperative, Brianna Grant, sits down with Roots and Wings host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss therapy options available as well as tips for mental health conversation starters between adults and the youth in their lives.

Research shows young children who are read to three or more times a week are nearly twice as likely to show advanced literacy skills. The Governor's Book From Birth Foundation works to promote early childhood literacy for children in Tennessee between birth and 5-years-old. As of January 7, 2020 the foundation is now known as the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation. In a partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, the foundation works to give every preschooler in Tennessee the opportunity to receive free books in the mail! The foundation's president, Jame Pond, sits down with Roots and Wings host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss the foundation's work and future reading initiatives.

Traumatic experiences and adverse childhood experiences or ACE's shape our community's youth. The Raphah Institute is an organization that is working to help youth offenders and their victims heal from non-violent crimes before charges are ever filed. "If incarceration made us safer the United States would be the safest nation in the history of any civilization," Raphah Institute CEO Travis Claybrooks said. One way of keeping non violent youth out of the criminal system is through the Raphah Institute's Restorative Justice Diversion Program, when youth who are arrested for certain felonies have the opportunity to meet and talk with the victims they've harmed. Together they work to heal and move forward. Claybrooks discusses why this program was implemented in Davidson County and it's impact on our community's youth with Roots and Wings host, Jonquil Newland.

Davidson County Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway was elected in 2014 and oversees the entire juvenile court system in Davidson County, as well as manages the detention facilities that house youth offenders. On this episode of Roots and Wings Calloway discusses the recent uptick in violent crimes among youth and the challenges that face the juvenile court system.

Despite working hard for 16 years to pursue a successful comedy career, DJ Pryor and his toddler son, Kingston are now advocates for "Serve and Return". In Summer 2019, a video of DJ and Kingston interacting went viral. Since then he's spoken to crowds around the country about Serve and Return and the importance of father's connecting with their children. "I move as if I'm representing every man that's doing right. I'm moving to inspire every man that's doing wrong," said DJ. He speaks candidly about his new role as a child and family advocate with Roots and Wings host, Jonquil Newland. Learn more about DJ and Kingston's journey by watching this video.

Grandparents and other relatives have a very long tradition of being the foundation that keeps a family together. Across the nation 2.7 million grandparents are raising their grandchildren. Tracy Van de Vate is the program manager of the Knoxville-Knox County Grandparents as Parents Program. She sits down with Roots and Wings host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss the resources available to families as well as some of the challenges and benefits of raising grandchildren.

The Tennessee Association for Children’s Early Education or TACEE, is a nonprofit association that was incorporated in 1954 and has worked since then to provide professional development opportunities for young children while also advocating for the best practices in child care, development and education. TACEE President-Elect Cindy Ligon sits down with Jonquil Newland to discuss the biggest challenges that face early childhood education as well as the benefits it provides growing children. Learn more about TACEE here!

One in five youth between the ages of 13 and 18-years-old have or will have a mental health condition. Half of all lifetime mental illness cases begin by 14-years-old. Dr. Desiree' Kelly serves as the Public Health and Education Manager for Mental Health America of the Mid-south. She opens up about her experiences working with youth as well as the steps every adult can take to help adolescents suffering from a mental health condition.

The Davidson County Community Advisory Board partners with the Department of Children Services to provide resources and services to children and families in Davidson County. The board's co-chair, Kevin McKenzie sits down with Jonquil Newland to discuss DCCAB's role in the community and how it is accomplishing the work it does.

Monroe Harding is an organization that provides homes, healing and opportunities through programs that serve youth who are currently in or transitioning out of foster care. Two of the organizations administrators sit down with TCCY's Jonquil Newland to discuss the challenges, needs and resources available for children in foster care and their families.

Richard Kennedy has served as executive director for the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth for nearly one year. However, his history with the agency is long standing. Jonquil Newland sits down with Kennedy to discuss his history with the agency as well as life milestones that lead him to the top spot at TCCY.