October 2021 Open Line
Weekly Live Training Opportunities
Every week throughout the month of October DCS will offer training opportunities to expand your knowledge related to Domestic Violence. Please click on the title of the session below to register:
Introducing the New Domestic Violence Allegation
10/25/21 9AM CST-10AM CST
Presenter: Rebecca Bevans, MSW Director of Training and Program Development for Office of Child Safety
Participants will learn about the new Domestic Violence allegation, effective October 1st. This allegation will be used in lieu of selecting physical abuse, psychological harm, or lack of supervision. It allows DCS to complete more targeted casework and classify it in a more appropriate manner.
New Domestic Violence Allegation
The Office of Child Safety is excited to announce that the Domestic Violence allegation has been successfully built into TFACTS. The hotline began using this feature on Oct. 1. They will use this allegation in lieu of selecting physical abuse, psychological harm, or lack of supervision. This allows DCS to complete more targeted casework and classify in a more appropriate manner. Below is the Domestic Violence allegation definition, which is posted in Work Aid 1:
“Acts of violence, coercion, or intimidation against a parent or caregiver by an intimate partner that could cause injury to a child, create an environment of hostility or instability, and/or impact the caregiver(s) ability to provide for the basic needs of the child(ren) including food and supervision. Domestic violence includes, but is not limited to:
- Physical violence such as hitting, shoving, spitting, destroying possessions, threats toward any member of the household, throwing things, and attacks.
- Any form of domestic violence (to include but not limited to emotional abuse, financial control, stalking, harassment, violence towards pets, or sexual assault) where the safety and/or wellbeing of the child is impacted.”
Work Aid 13 provides case direction on how to work cases with a domestic violence allegation.
Too much Halloween candy got you spooked? Try some of these healthy tips for party snacks and trick-or-treats. Ideas are so good, it’s scary!
(Pst! Don’t forget the DCS Wellness Council is hosting a virtual costume contest for Halloween. Check out all the categories you can compete in. (Submissions must be sent by Thursday 10/28!))
LIVESTREAM WALKING WORKOUT
Get ready to virtually walk with the dead 👻. Join WFHTN's Halloween-themed LIVE Workout on Thursday, October 28 from 1-1:15 p.m. Central!
Activity: Livestream Walking Workout
Equipment Needed: None. Come in costume, if desired!
** Please sign this digital waiver prior to the live workout. **
Password: spooky
Download your calendar appointment for this event HERE.
For this occasion, WFHTN has added two new pasta recipes to our website. Buon appetito!
Please join the DCS Wellness Council for Planksgiving this November! All fitness levels are invited to join and wellness prizes are up for grabs. Find more details and the challenge calendar HERE.
Join us in this year’s Tennessee Employees Charitable Campaign Events Oct. 28 - Nov. 22
- Oct. 28 – Kickoff Event- Virtual Meet and Greet (11:30 am-12:15 pm CST) with a rep from United Ways and Creating Healthier Communities
- Nov. 3 - Virtual Meet and Greet (11:30 am-12:15 pm CST) with a rep from Creating Healthier Communities and Second Harvest Food Bank.
- Nov. 10- Virtual Meet and Greet (11:30 am-12:15 pm CST) with a rep from ADFAC and TN Voices for Victims
- Nov. 17- Last event- Virtual Meet and Greet (11:30 am-12:15 pm CST) with a rep from Creating Healthier Communities and Habitat for Humanity
At each event, we will have a rep from different charitable organizations. This will give you a better chance to ask questions and get more information on the organization you wish to support. I will also be announcing the winners of the different activities I will be sending out throughout the weeks! *Make sure you attend so you can receive your prize of T-shirts, water bottles, pens, notepads, etc. from your favorite organization. Hope to see you there!
*A link will be sent out each week to join the Teams meeting*
Do you like caramel? This is your month! We all know caramel-covered apples are a classic fall treat. Try this caramel dip made from Greek yogurt that you can enjoy with apples. #NationalCaramelMonth
P.S. Take a brain break during your workday and take on this week’s word game! Tell us, how many words can you make using the letters found in CARAMEL? (2-7 letter words accepted!) Please submit your answers to dcswellness.council@tn.gov.
Ready for an activity break to help you feel energized and motivated? It’s time for our next Virtual Workout with Working for a Healthier Tennessee! Join us on Tuesday, October 19, 9:30-9:45 a.m. Central/10:30-10:45a.m. Eastern.
- Workout: WFHTN Wellness Coordinator Kayla will be leading a seated cardio & core workout for ALL fitness levels.
- Attire: Anything you can move in!
- Equipment Needed: Just the chair you’re sitting in!
- ** Please sign this digital waiver prior to the live workout.
- Download your calendar appointment for this event HERE.
Behavioral Health & Wellness Webinar
Mental health. Emotional health. Behavioral health. The names have changed over time. But whatever you call it, it’s an important part of your overall well-being. Please join this final webinar offering where we’ll talk about what it is and how you can improve it!
** Download your calendar appointment for Wednesday, October 20 from 1-2 p.m. Central HERE. **
Every week throughout the month of October DCS will offer training opportunities to expand your knowledge related to Domestic Violence. Please click on the title of the session below to register.
The Child Welfare/Domestic Violence Partnership in Tennessee
Oct. 12, 2021; 1PM CST-2:30PM CST
Presenters: Valerie Conley, Child Welfare/Domestic Violence Program Manager for WRAP, and Anita Rigdon, Victim Support Services for Partnership
Participants will learn about the Child Welfare/Domestic Violence Partnership Program. This presentation will include information on what services are available, the role of the domestic violence advocate/liaison, and the benefits of collaborating with domestic violence specialists in cases involving domestic violence.
Joints and their surrounding structures allow you to bend your elbows and knees, wiggle your hips, bend your back, turn your head, and wave your fingers to say bye-bye. And the best way to care for your joints is to keep them and your muscles, ligaments, and bones strong and stable!
Here are some Tips for Taking Care of Your Joints in recognition of Bone and Joint Action Week (October 12-20).
Also, take a brain break during your workday with this week’s “Bones and Joints” Word Search ” HERE.
Join WFHTN on Wednesday, October 13 at 12 p.m. Central for a Here4TN Benefits webinar.
Here4TN powered by Optum is your Employee Assistance Program, Behavioral Health, and WorkLife provider. In this session, participants will learn about the benefits and resources that Here4TN provides such as:
- Five no-cost short-term counseling visits per issue, per year.
- Access to digital resources such as Sanvello, Talkspace, and Virtual Visits.
- Support services for parenting, eldercare, life learning, dealing with chronic conditions, and convenience services.
- Legal, Mediation, and financial benefits.
Take Charge at Work- a confidential program designed to help working adults recognize and manage symptoms of stress and depression at work.
** Download your calendar appointment for the webinar here. **
Mental Health Break
Let’s take a mental break to help lower stress and bring some FUN into your day. Join us for a live Mental Health Break with Working for a Healthier Tennessee!
This will take place on Thursday, October 14th from 1-1:15 p.m. Central/2-2:15 p.m. Eastern.
What to Expect: Wellness Coordinator Morgan will be leading trivia & the top 3 will be awarded a WFHTN prize! We will be playing trivia using the platform “Kahoot” (www.kahoot.it). In order to enjoy the most out of Kahoot, it is ideal to be able to
utilize a secondary screen such as a phone that has access to the internet or a secondary monitor. This is because you need to be able to see both the WebEx screen (to see the questions/answers) and your personal Kahoot screen (to answer the questions). The game pin will be provided on the day of trivia. Come and play!
** Download your calendar appointment for the webinar here. **
Behavioral Health and Wellness Webinar
Mental health. Emotional health. Behavioral health. The names have changed over time. But whatever you call it, it’s an important part of your overall well-being. Please join us for one of these two upcoming webinars where we’ll talk about what it is and how you can improve it! ** Download your calendar appointment for the webinar on Friday, October 15 from 9-10 a.m. Central here. **
Note: A second offering of this webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, October 20 from 1-2 p.m. Central.
Celebrate Spooky Season with DCS
The DCS Wellness Council is hosting a virtual costume contest for Halloween! Check out all the categories you can compete in HERE. (Please submit your (office-friendly outfits) to dcswellness.council@tn.gov by Thursday, Oct. 28.)
Thank you to everyone who participated in the DCS Wellness Council’s PACK YOUR LUNCH CHALLENGE in September.
- Here’s what one participant said about their experience, “I notice I was able to eat healthier, saved a lot of money.”
- (Pictured: Photo from Jackie Poteet -- “I usually don’t eat yogurt, but I ate it almost daily during this 2 weeks because it helped curve my sweet tooth issue!”)
- Congrats to our challenge winners who are receiving meal prep containers to continue their healthy lunch habits: Rikki E., Jessica T., Calvin W., Camille L., and Puriti S.!.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Many factors over the course of a lifetime can influence your breast cancer risk. While you can’t change some factors, you can help lower your risk of breast cancer by taking care of your health by getting to and staying at a healthy weight throughout life, being physically active on a regular basis, and making healthy food choices with a focus on plant-based foods.
Learn more about breast cancer symptoms and ways to reduce your risk.
OCTOBER IS A GREAT TIME TO GET OUTSIDE!
It’s fall y’all! And a great time of year to encourage your employees to get active outdoors for a fun, family-friendly activity at a corn maze or hay maze!
Pinpoint a maze near you with this list from Pick Tennessee Products:
https://www.picktnproducts.org/listview/corn-hay-mazes.html
And have you ever picked your own produce?
In the fall, you can pick apples, blackberries, peaches, pumpkins, and even raspberries in Tennessee! Find a farm or orchard near you here https://www.picktnproducts.org/pick-your-own.html. (Be sure to call ahead to confirm produce availability and hours of operation!)
NEW IN OCTOBER
DHS 10-MINUTE FITNESS BREAKS
- Every Wednesday from 11-11:15 AM Central
- Join with this WebEx meeting link at the time of the event.
YOGA FOR ALL
- Every Wednesday at 12-12:15 PM Central
- This beginner-level, relaxing seated yoga class is a must! Don't miss this 15-minute live virtual series each week. (No special equipment or attire is needed - just a chair!) Download your calendar appointment for every Wednesday in October HERE.
DCS THURSDAY FITNESS BREAKS
- Give your body a break with the DCS Wellness Council every Thursday from 11-11:15 AM Central!
- You can expect a live stream workout handpicked by your Wellness Council members.
- Download the October calendar series HERE to join.
The DCS Wellness Council is hosting a virtual costume contest for Halloween! Check out all the categories you can compete in:
- Best Costume
- Best DIY Costume
- Most Original
- Most Creative
- Funniest
- Best Group Costume
- Best Last-Minute Costume
- Best Kid
- Best Pet
Please submit your (office-friendly outfits) to dcswellness.council@tn.gov by Thursday 10/28!
I am pleased to announce that LaTasha Sloan has been appointed to CPS Director for Shelby County. Ms. Sloan possesses over 20 years of experience in child welfare and has served in a variety of positions in the Office of Child Safety as a Case Manager, Team Leader, and most recently as a Team Coordinator. She was an integral leader in the CPS Redesign as it was implemented in Shelby county and in the creation of the specialty teams.
She provided supervision to the Triage, Drug Exposed Child Team, Family Support Services Drug Team, and the Second Shift Team. Ms. Sloan develops and maintains excellent relationships with community partners such as the Child Protective Investigation Team (CPIT), Memphis Child Advocacy Center, Memphis/Shelby County School System, and Shelby County Juvenile Court. Ms. Sloan can often be found providing peer-to-peer mentoring with other regions to offer support and utilize her experience to build skills and solve problems. Ms. Sloan has a Degree in Sociology, a Master's Degree in Education, and a Certificate in Adult Learning. Please join me in congratulating Ms. Sloan on her new leadership role within DCS.
~ Carla Aaron, Deputy Commissioner of Child Safety
