Child Health Nurses

DCS nurses help children and youth in custody get the health care services they need. They work with Family Service Workers, parents and guardians, foster parents, providers, and community partners to help support each child’s health, safety, and well-being.

How Child Health Nurses Help

Child Health Nurses help coordinate health care for children and youth in DCS custody and children who may be at risk. They help staff and caregivers understand medical needs, treatment plans, medications, and available services.

Child Health Nurses may:

  • Provide guidance to case managers, parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, and providers
  • Help explain medical conditions, medications, and treatment recommendations
  • Work with TennCare and health care providers to address service needs
  • Assist with care coordination for children and youth with serious or ongoing health needs
  • Attend Child and Family Team Meetings when medical consultation is needed

Common Issues Child Health Nurses Address

Child Health Nurses can help with questions or concerns about a child or youth’s medical care, including:

  • Follow-up care after an Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment, or EPSDT, screening
  • Health care needs for children and youth with serious or complex medical conditions
  • TennCare case management services
  • Access to medically necessary services
  • Psychotropic medication tracking and dosage changes for children and youth in custody
  • Medical consent when a parent or guardian is not available, as allowed by DCS policy and applicable law

Providers can review the [Informed Consent for Providers] link for more information about medication consent requirements.

Child Safety Nurses

Child Safety Nurses support child protective services staff by providing medical consultation during investigations and custody-related matters. They help staff better understand medical records, child development, trauma, possible abuse concerns, and child fatality issues.

Child Safety Nurses may:

  • Provide medical guidance to CPS investigators, Family Service Workers, and DCS legal staff
  • Help staff understand medical information connected to a child’s safety and well-being
  • Explain how a child’s medical condition may affect behavior, development, or care needs
  • Provide consultation when children with medical needs enter custody

Youth Development Center Nurses

Each DCS Youth Development Center has a medical clinic that provides health care services to youth. Clinic staff may include nurses, a medical doctor, a psychiatrist, and a dentist.

Youth Development Center nurses help provide or coordinate:

  • Basic medical care
  • Prescribed and approved over-the-counter medications
  • Daily sick call for medical, dental, and mental health concerns
  • Appointments with doctors, dentists, or outside specialists when needed
  • Care for youth recovering from illness or injury
  • Infirmary care when a youth needs closer medical support

Nurses also provide health education on topics such as:

  • Immunizations
  • Infectious disease prevention
  • Chronic condition management
  • Wellness and exercise
  • Infection control
  • Individual health needs