Tennessee governor-elect announces advisory committee for Department of Children’s Services

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (KBSI) – Tennessee Gov.-elect Marsha Blackburn has announced the formation of an advisory committee to review the state’s Department of Children’s Services (DCS) and recommend improvements to its operations and leadership.

The committee will evaluate the department’s current structure, operations and challenges while identifying opportunities to strengthen services for vulnerable children across Tennessee.

“The Department of Children’s Services plays an important role in protecting some of Tennessee’s most vulnerable children, and we have a responsibility to ensure the department is operating as effectively as possible,” Blackburn said.

Blackburn said the committee will help identify areas for improvement and determine the department’s future direction.

The advisory committee will be chaired by Jim Henry. Other members include Cameron Smith, Maggie McNally Kimball and Cleo Griffin.

Transition Chairman Stuart McWhorter said the committee will work closely with the incoming administration to review department operations and gather information to guide future decisions.

“We will coordinate closely to review the department’s operations, assess its challenges, and gather the information necessary to make informed decisions,” McWhorter said.

Henry said the committee will focus on collecting information, reviewing existing challenges and developing recommendations for the governor elect.

“Our goal will be to gather meaningful insights, review the facts, and provide thoughtful recommendations to Governor-elect Blackburn as she considers the future of DCS,” Henry said.

The committee’s findings will help shape the incoming administration’s priorities and decisions regarding the department’s leadership, structure and future operations.