The Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) Needs You!
See Also: Practice Observations Are Good for Everyone! | Fill out the Practice Observation Form
DHS assessors will start using a new scale, the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised, to assess family and group homes starting in August 2010.
Click here to review the DHS letter sent to all family and group homes.
We need your help to ensure that the assessors are trained and the scale is implemented correctly and effectively!
Over the next year, the DHS assessors and many of their partners at CCR&R, UT SWORPS, TECTA, and TOPSTAR will be trained to use the new scale.
As part of their training, assessors and others must conduct practice observations using the new scale at family and group homes. These practice observations last only 2-3 hours and don't include a question session.
After the practice observation is completed, assessors will ask you if you would like to receive suggestions on how to prepare for the first official assessment. If you would like this information, it will be given over the phone or in a letter.
Practice Observations Are Good for Everyone!
Practice observations are a good way to
- learn more about the new scale
- learn more about its requirements
- learn how to prepare your home for it
In fact, a provider recently called her practice observations "a gift." She thought the practice observation was an easier, less stressful way to learn the new scale than waiting until her first official assessment.
Please, let us know if you're willing to participate!
We would appreciate the opportunity to conduct a practice observation in your home. If you would like to learn more about the new scale and get a head start on preparing for your official assessment, please complete and submit this form.
When practice observations are needed in your community, someone from DHS or one of the partners’ offices will call you to schedule a time to meet with you.
