Drug-Endangered Children
The Issue
The vision of the Tennessee Alliance for Drug Endangered Children is that every child in Tennessee has the opportunity to experience a safe and healthy childhood free from the use of drugs and the effects of drug exposure.
The Mission
Increase training and ongoing educational opportunities regarding issues faced by drug-endangered children and their families.
The Tennessee Alliance for Drug Endangered Children approach is comprehensive, focusing on the formation of community-based partnerships to engage professionals from multiple disciplines in developing a collaborative approach to rescue, defend, shelter, and support children living in drug environments.
TADEC's goal is to implement a systematic change across Tennessee: a new, proactive approach for addressing the needs of our state's children to prevent exposure to human trafficking and the dangerous drug epidemic
The Approach
No single entity can effectively or efficiently address the drug-endangered children dilemma. Our goal is to collaboratively combine the expertise and resources of multiple professionals, agencies, and communities to improve interventions for children and their families.
- By collaborating, we increase the likelihood of success for the good of children and families.
- By collaborating, it will make you or your organization a part of the larger solution.
- By collaborating, you will be connected to other professionals working on the same challenges.
- By collaborating, it will help you advocate more effectively on behalf of children and families in the state of Tennessee.
Resources
Learn More
You Can Help!
If you suspect a child is drug-endangered, contact 1-877-866-6384, or to report suspected child abuse and neglect, contact the Tennessee Department of Children's Services at 1-877-237-0004. In case of an emergency or life-threatening situation, call 911.
Online Training
Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Overview
- This course is designed to help law enforcement officers and other professionals develop an awareness of the potential impact of using a multidisciplinary approach to meet the needs of Drug Endangered Children.
You Can Change the Long-Term Outcomes of Drug Endangered Children
- This course describes the long-term impact and needs of Drug Endangered Children (DEC) throughout their childhood and into adulthood.
Prenatal Substance Exposure – Why Should I Care?
- This course describes how prenatal substance exposure has the potential to cause a variety of physical and developmental challenges for Drug Endangered Children (DEC) throughout their lives.
Postnatal Risks – How You Can Make a Difference
- This course describes how postnatal exposure to an environment where there is substance use and drug activity affects Drug Endangered Children (DEC) throughout their childhood and entire life.
Speaking Through Me - Educational Documentary
- This documentary was created to teach adolescent-aged children about their developing brain, the neurobiology of addiction, and how to practice self-compassion and mindfulness as a means of substance use and mental illness prevention.
- This training was developed by TBI to integrate the DEC approach and could be highly beneficial to a variety of organizations focused on supporting children, families, and communities impacted by substance use.
Drug Endangered Children Training Request
Tabatha Curtis
Statewide Coordinator
Tennessee Alliance For Drug Endangered Children
Tabatha.Curtis@tn.gov
(901) 570-6430