Children in Tennessee who are in state custody are facing an alarming situation, often spending months in hospitals despite being medically cleared for discharge. This troubling trend is primarily due to the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) lacking suitable placements for these vulnerable youths, many of whom have complex medical needs.
Reports indicate that some children have been stuck in hospitals for extended periods, with one child remaining in a children’s hospital for a staggering 276 days after being cleared for release. Hospital officials have expressed concern, stating that they are becoming overwhelmed with children that DCS is unable to place in appropriate foster care settings.
The Children’s Hospital Alliance of Tennessee (CHAT) has highlighted that these children are occupying hospital beds that could be utilized for other patients in need, especially during peak demand periods. DCS has acknowledged that many of these children are medically fragile and cannot be accommodated in typical DCS office buildings, which has led to a backlog in hospital discharges.
The situation often begins in a pediatric emergency room, where DCS caseworkers bring children who have experienced abuse or neglect and require immediate medical attention. However, once the children are deemed ready to leave, DCS struggles to find suitable foster homes for them. This has resulted in prolonged hospital stays, which are not only detrimental to the children but also strain hospital resources.
State Senator Heidi Campbell, representing Nashville, expressed her dismay over the situation, stating, "Our state is failing. I think we’ve failed these children and we’ve quite frankly failed DCS." She noted specific cases, including a 10-year-old with Muscular Dystrophy who spent 103 days in a Knoxville hospital after losing his mother to COVID-19, and another child with severe autism who was eventually sent out of state after a 51-day stay.
The DCS has cited a shortage of foster care homes as a significant barrier to finding placements for these children. As a result, some children have been forced to sleep in DCS office buildings, a situation that is far from ideal. DCS Commissioner Margie Quin, who took over the agency in September, has recognized the issue and is advocating for increased funding to create "Assessment Treatment Homes" designed to provide specialized care for medically complex children.
In a recent budget hearing, Quin requested more than $8.7 million to address these challenges, emphasizing the pressing need for resources to support children who are difficult to place due to their medical and behavioral needs. Senator Campbell has urged the state to allocate necessary funds to ensure that these vulnerable children receive proper care rather than being left in limbo between hospital rooms and office floors.
The Children’s Hospital Alliance of Tennessee has also emphasized the need for improved mental health services and placement options for children in DCS custody. They pointed out that many children are admitted to hospitals due to a lack of available services, leading to excessive delays in discharge.
As the state grapples with these issues, there is a growing urgency to find solutions that prioritize the well-being of children in state custody. With budget discussions underway, there is hope that the state will take the necessary steps to improve the situation and ensure that children receive the care and support they desperately need.