Department of Children's Services
Dr. Viola Miller, Commissioner

DCS Guide Documents I DCS Guide Pages I Annual Reports I DCS Employment Opportunities

"The Office of the Court Monitor under the Brian A. v. Bredesen Settlement is responsible for assessing the Department of Children's Services' progress in implementing its Path to Excellence improvement plan and meeting the requirements and outcomes of the Brian A. Settlement Agreement. The Monitor will periodically issue public reports on the Department’s progress to the U.S. District Court and the parties to the Settlement Agreement. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Monitor's Office is available to receive complaints, referrals, comments, and concerns from children, family members, foster and adoptive parents, advocates, DCS and private agency staff, and members of the public. In general, the Monitor's Office does not intervene in specific cases; however, the Monitor's Office investigates any complaints and referrals it receives and may use the information that it gains as a result of an investigation as part of its monitoring and reporting functions."

Brian A. Monitor • Cordell Hull Building, 7th Floor • 436 6th Ave. N • Nashville, TN 37243 • (615) 532-5034

• Brian A. Settlement Agreement
• Brian A. Case Management Guide Computer Based Training
• Brian A. Principles
• Brian A. Outcomes
• Case Management Guide
• Brian A. Settlement of Contempt Motion

TN KIDS (Tennessee Kids Information Data System) is Tennessee's federally required SACWIS (Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System) project. Project development began in 1996 during the formation of the current Tennessee Department of Children's Services. In December 1999 TN KIDS replaced three non-Y2K compliant legacy data tracking systems from the integrated departments and moved Tennessee's child welfare system closer to the realization of an on-line real time data collection and dissemination tool.

The first phase of the project included adding and upgrading hardware and software tools across the state to over 3100 users. The current functions of the system include statewide desktop access to all departmental case managers, team leaders, administrators, support staff and central office staff as of December 2000. Daily use includes the recording of extensive client data in every program area as well as several pieces of case management. All foster care information reported to the federal government as per AFCARS (Adoption & Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System) requirements are met with the TN KIDS data system. The remaining portions to be developed include all fiscal tracking for the department and enhanced case management generation and documentation.

For more information about the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS), visit the Federal site.

For more information about the Adoption & Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), visit the Federal site.