NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Children in state custody are spending extended periods in Tennessee hospitals because the Department of Children’s Services has no alternative placements for them.
Despite being medically cleared, these children are occupying hospital beds that could be used by others, especially during times of increased demand.
For example, one child remained in a children’s hospital for over nine months (276 days) after being cleared for release.
Hospital officials have expressed concerns about being inundated with children that DCS cannot find homes for.
The Children’s Hospital Alliance of Tennessee (CHAT), which represents children’s hospitals statewide, stated that these children are taking up many additional days of hospital care that is unnecessary.
While TennCare covers the cost of hospital care for children in DCS custody, the exact amount of taxpayer spending on these extended stays has not been disclosed.
DCS has stated that these children are difficult to place in foster care and cannot remain in DCS office buildings due to their medical fragility.
In many cases, the process begins in a pediatric emergency room, with DCS caseworkers bringing in children with genuine medical concerns, often having been removed from abusive or neglectful homes.
Once the hospital indicates that the child is ready for discharge, DCS is unable to find a suitable placement for the child.
State Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, expressed her dismay at the situation, calling it a failure of the state to provide adequate care for these children.
Some specific examples include a 10-year-old with Muscular Dystrophy who spent 103 days at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital after the death of his mother and the inability of his father to care for him.
Another 10-year-old with severe autism stayed for 51 days before being sent to a facility out of state due to DCS being unable to find a placement for him.
Another child, an insulin-dependent diabetic, remained in the hospital because DCS would not take them due to insulin shots required.
Commissioner Margie Quin has acknowledged the issue of long hospital stays for some children in the custody of the DCS and has presented a plan to address the issue, including increased funding and support for case workers.
Sen. Campbell stressed the importance of adequately funding DCS to provide care for these vulnerable children.
Gov. Bill Lee indicated his willingness to provide funding for DCS to address the issue.
However, immediate solutions are needed, as the budget request approval will take time.
The Children’s Hospital Alliance of Tennessee emphasized the need for more placement options and resources to support these children in care.
They also urged families to consider fostering children with medical fragility or chronic conditions.
