Network Development Leadership Team Guide

Overview

The DCS Office of Network Development is committed to partnering with provider agencies and DCS field staff and engaging in collaborative problem-solving to ensure the best possible outcomes are achieved for children. This document provides contact information for members of the Network Development Leadership Team and offers general guidance on each member's respective area(s) of responsibility.

Collaborative problem solving does not always lend itself to traditional working hours. This document includes both daytime and after-hours contact information and is supplemental to, but not a replacement for, our routine on-call processes. We trust our internal and external partners to differentiate normal operating circumstances that can be handled through routine channels from those that require the involvement of senior leadership team members. That said, please do not hesitate to reach out should a circumstance arise that requires our assistance.

Functional Areas

Intake

This functional area supports DCS field staff in gathering referral information for children in need of placement and manages the placement of children in the Department’s contracted temporary placements, including Primary Assessment Centers, Enhanced Primary Assessment Centers, Assessment Foster Homes, and Detention.

Family Based Placement

This functional area manages the placement of children in foster homes managed directly by DCS and those foster homes that are part of a provider agency network.

Residential Placement

This functional area places children in group homes, residential treatment centers, JJ staff secure and hardware secure facilities, PRTF’s, Sub Acute programs, and DIDDS placements (Family Model and Supported Living Arrangements).

Utilization Review

This functional area conducts regular reviews of youth in residential placement to monitor their progress. This team also supports DCS staff and all contract providers by supporting consistent decision-making at CFTM’s concerning stability/disruption, level changes, and discharge planning. Last, this functional area provides support for provider billing/invoicing.

Network Development/Provider Relations

Frank Mix serves as Executive Director for Network Development and Provider Relations, overseeing the DCS placement system. Responsibilities include recruitment of new vendors, supporting existing partners, and overseeing the Performance Based Contracting (PBC) system.

Contact information

Jennifer Williams, Director of Intake
UBS Tower
315 Deaderick Street, 9th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243
Cell: 615-881-6324
Jennifer.T.Williams@tn.gov

Susan Hicks, Director of Family-Based Placement
2555 Plymouth Road, Johnson City, TN 37601
Phone: 423-278-0625
Susan.J.Hicks@tn.gov

Angie Brown, Director of Utilization Review
620 Roosevelt Drive
Sparta, TN 38583
Cell: 931-260-7981
Angelia.R.Brown@tn.gov

Frank Mix, Executive Director of Network Development/Provider Relations
UBS Tower-9th Floor 315 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: 615-741-9164
Cell: 615-319-6595
Frank.Mix@tn.gov