The Black Children's Institute of Tennessee

Education and Public Awareness: The Institute conduct research, collects and distributes data relating to issues such as the causes and indicators for children entering the juvenile justice system, the child protective service system, the under-education of children, the status of health and mental health services for children and program/services that are culturally competent .

Clearinghouse: BCI serves as a clearinghouse for information and statistics on children, families and youth programs. Information from the clearinghouse is requested from individuals, parents, students, civic organizations, churches, state, local and federal governmental agencies, public officials, community youth programs, media and school personnel.

Direct Client Advocacy: BCI provides information, referral services and technical assistance to parent, youth, governmental agencies, community based organizations and individuals throughout the entire state. The purpose of the Direct Client Advocacy program is to provide information, consultation and training to parents and direct service providers which will enable them to adequately and appropriately represent their children or children they are trying to help. Many of our calls are from parents, individuals and organizations that state they have tried everything else and we were their last hope for help.

Public Policy and Budget Advocacy: The public policy and budget advocacy project serves as a multi -issue program. BCI monitors public policies and legislation impacting the lives of children and advises and consults with the legislature, public and private service agencies on the strengths and weakness of specific public policy and legislation.

Community Mobilization/Public Awareness and Education: BCI sponsors conferences, training, career fairs, community forums and workshops on issues and topics that provide education, public awareness and enhances needed services to children and families. BCI staff and volunteers serve on many local, state and national committees, boards and task forces that represent children and families. BCI coordinates and networks with numerous organization and agencies representing children and families.

The Institute's newsletter "Footprints" reports on current information concerning the activities of the organization. Footprints include youth involved editorials, current legislation, youth programs that work and other pertinent tops.

Inventory of Services: BCI maintains a data base of programs and services available to meet the needs of children in Tennessee. Many of the programs in our database are interviewed and assessed for their ability to serve children and families in a culturally sensitive and competent manner.

Resume Data Base: BCI maintains a resume database of potential employees with education and expertise in areas related to the social service and child advocacy field.

Volunteer program: BCI has more than 2000 volunteers and supporters across the state, to help achieve it's mission. Volunteers provide training, technical assistance and consultation in areas relating to children and families issues that they have a special interest and or expertise. Many of our volunteers became volunteers after requesting and receiving information and technical assistance to assist them in their advocacy for a child.

BCI staff and volunteers serve on local, state and national committees, boards and task forces representing BCI on issues impacting children in our community. They provide assistance and volunteer services for community forums, training, conferences, special projects and consultation and information to parents and individuals requesting client advocacy assistance for children.

Child Watch Program: The Child Watch Program is designed to serve children who are experiencing emotional, psychological and behavior difficulties as a result of being exposed, impacted or affected by a criminal act, an act of violence such as assaults, physical abuse, sexual abuse domestic violence and homicide.

The Child Watch Program Provides: Crisis Intervention • Information & Referral • Parent & Child Advocacy Support & Training • Counseling • Individualized Service & Safety Plans.

Annual Youth Career Festival: BCI sponsors an Annual Statewide Youth Career Festival, which exposes 5000 to 7000 children and youth to over 100 careers, employment training workshops and community youth service programs. Support for the festival comes from over 500 volunteers statewide, businesses, churches, educational and recreational institutions.

Churches and Community Institutions: Churches and community institutions across the state have provided BCI with space for meetings and community forums and special projects. They have served as a major resource to BCI for getting information out which helps parents and service providers be better advocates for their children.

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Email : voicesfortnchildren@bcitn.org

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