Advertise on podcast: Roots and Wings

Conversations around autism spectrum disorder or ASD are happening more often as the number of children and youth diagnosed with ASD continues to significantly increase. Ascend Autism's Clinical Director Sharon Dudhnath-Grotsky and Co Founder Nathan Kronforst sit down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss the  resources available for Tennessee families. 

The number one killer of children older than 1 in Tennessee are firearms. It's a very hard statistic to fathom, especially since many of those deaths are preventable. For children and youth younger than 17-years-old, Tennessee’s rate of gun deaths is 36 percent higher than the national average. Dr. Kelsey Gastineau is a pediatrician at Monroe Carrel Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and a national expert on firearm violence. She sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss this hard truth and the hope that exists to make a change. Resources Vanderbilt Center for Child Health Policy Poll  Sycamore Report SAFER Safe Storage Prevents Harm (AAP online free course) One Step Closer to Safer: Counseling Outcomes form American Academy of Pediatrics Firearm Safe Storage Education Training  Improving the Frequency and Documentation of Gun Safety Counseling in a Resident Primary Care Clinic  Project Child Safe 

Child care costs across the nation and in Tennessee are rising. While there are several challenges facing the child care market in general, there are also state partners and organizations working to make child care more accessible and affordable for Tennessee families. Director of Child Care Services with the Department of Human Services Gwen Laaser sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss the challenges that face the child care industry and the resources available. 

This podcast episode highlights some of the work Tennessee state representatives have accomplished that benefits children and families and how the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth has served in a supporting role. Senator Page Walley sits down with podcast host Jonquil Newland to discuss the state's work and where can strive to improve. 

To educate the public on the importance of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth and why the agency exists, this episode looks back in history to 35 years ago. At the time, Bill Purcell was a new member of the Tennessee House of Representatives and went on to become the House Majority Leader and Chair of the Select Committee on Children and Youth. Purcell sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to look back on the tone of the legislator at the time and how elected officials worked across party lines for the betterment of children and youth in Tennessee. 

This year's legislative session was a very active one with policy makers making local, state, and national headlines on more than one occasion. One of those instances directly impacted the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth when a bill was introduced which aimed to dismantle the entire agency. While the bill was tabled, TCCY realized there was an opportunity to educate the public and policy makers about what we do at the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth and say thank you to the people and organizations who spoke up to support the agency. TCCY Executive Director Richard Kennedy sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to explain what happened and to give thanks.  

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention links adverse childhood experiences, like child abuse, as one of the main reasons for long-term health impacts in America. In Tennessee, the most recent data shows there were nearly 70,000 reported cases of child abuse and neglect in 2020. Nurture the Next President and CEO Kristen Davis, sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss how we all play a role in preventing child abuse and what resources are available for parents who need help. Aside from her role as the president and CEO of Nurture the next, Davis serves as a member of the Joint Task Force on Children's Justice/Child Sexual Abuse.  

Students are beginning to head back into the classroom, but the summer season isn't over. For some families, the summer months bring extra challenges. Department of Human Services Assistant Commissioner Marcia McShane sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss programs like food services, transitioning services and child care services that are available during the summer months and throughout the year to help Tennessee families. Additional Resources DHS website USDA Summer Food Program Jobs4TN DHS help hotline: 615-313-4700  

Sometimes, parents are not always able to care for their children, maybe the child has been neglected or abused. In those instances, the child may be placed with a safe and loving relative to help prevent them from getting placed into or re-enter the state’s foster care system. The program provides crucial support for families who decide to step into a child's life after a traumatic experience. Program Coordinator Aisha Abu-Asaba sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss the program and how it benefits Tennessee children and families. Additional Resources; DCS Relative Caregiver Program website.   Program hotline number: 833-984-1498 

Collective trauma are long-term psychological effects that are shared by a vast group of people. The mental health impact of a global pandemic, natural disasters, and tragic events are far reaching. Ingrid Cockhren is the director of PACEs Connection, she sits down with podcast host Jonquil Newland to discuss the impacts of collective trauma and how to cope. 

Families are still feeling the financial burden caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are some tax credits that can help, for example the 2021 Child Tax Credit. Terry Reed, the Financial Literacy Manager for Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee in east Tennessee sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland to help explain what this is, who qualifies and how it works . Additional Resources Advanced Child Tax Credit Payment: IRS web site Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee: YouTube video

Beginning on April, 5 anyone who is 16 and older and wants a COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible to get it. Tennessee is several months into the vaccine distribution process, but a lot of people still have questions about the vaccine, its side effects and possible health implications down the road. Tennessee Department of Health Assistant Commissioner and Director of the Division of Family Health and Wellness, Dr. Tobi Amosun sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss a pediatrician's view of the pandemic and how our new normal is near.