BY TRACIE SIMER
TSIMER@JACKSONSUN.COM
January 26, 2011
TSIMER@JACKSONSUN.COM
January 26, 2011
Organizers of a roundtable discussion Thursday at Union University hope to unite faith leaders and child welfare workers in the cause to help Tennessee's children.
The Faith-Based Roundtable is a chance for the faith community to learn about different ways it can help the Department of Children's Services, according to a news release from the department.
The event, hosted by Union, begins with a special dinner meeting at 5:30 p.m. The discussion will start at 6:30 p.m. in the Carl Grant Events Center.
Wess Morgan, a pastor and recording artist, is the featured speaker. A Tennessee native, Morgan used drugs and alcohol at a young age. That led to years in jail and treatment centers while being cared for by family and child welfare workers, the release said. Morgan recovered and will share his story.
Mary Ann Poe, professor of social work at Union, said the Department of Children's Services is promoting this event as a way to engage the faith community in the work of caring for children who are vulnerable in the community.
"For many years, the state system and the faith community would run on different tracks in how to take care of children," she said. "There's been an effort in the last couple of years on the department's part to extend their hand to the faith community, saying, 'We need help. Can you partner with us?'"
The roundtable is about how area churches, temples, charities and organizations can be supportive and helpful in the work the state does, Poe said.
"This includes understanding and knowledge in recognizing child abuse in churches; that's one piece," she said. The focus, Poe said, is how to be a part of community advisory boards that are part of DCS.
"This would allow congregations to be sources of information on adopting or fostering children," she said. "They can learn how to be engaged with mentoring programs. This roundtable is designed to be a conversation."
Poe said Union and its social work department is glad to be part of the discussion. The department has worked with DCS in numerous ways, and many Union graduates work with DCS, she said.
The news release said the event is for pastors, youth ministers, deacons and other lay leaders from every faith tradition; local elected officials and other community leaders dedicated to helping children and families; and all child advocates and other citizens concerned about the well-being of West Tennessee's children.
—Tracie Simer, 425-9629
IF YOU GO
Faith-Based Roundtable Conference
6:30 p.m., Thursday
Grant Event Center, Union University
For more information, call 431-4064. There is no cost, but everyone must pre-register. Clergy and members of the Southwest Community Advisory Boards are invited to a special dinner meeting before the Roundtable, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Register at http://wtnroundtable2.eventbrite.com.
The Faith-Based Roundtable is a chance for the faith community to learn about different ways it can help the Department of Children's Services, according to a news release from the department.
The event, hosted by Union, begins with a special dinner meeting at 5:30 p.m. The discussion will start at 6:30 p.m. in the Carl Grant Events Center.
Wess Morgan, a pastor and recording artist, is the featured speaker. A Tennessee native, Morgan used drugs and alcohol at a young age. That led to years in jail and treatment centers while being cared for by family and child welfare workers, the release said. Morgan recovered and will share his story.
Mary Ann Poe, professor of social work at Union, said the Department of Children's Services is promoting this event as a way to engage the faith community in the work of caring for children who are vulnerable in the community.
"For many years, the state system and the faith community would run on different tracks in how to take care of children," she said. "There's been an effort in the last couple of years on the department's part to extend their hand to the faith community, saying, 'We need help. Can you partner with us?'"
The roundtable is about how area churches, temples, charities and organizations can be supportive and helpful in the work the state does, Poe said.
"This includes understanding and knowledge in recognizing child abuse in churches; that's one piece," she said. The focus, Poe said, is how to be a part of community advisory boards that are part of DCS.
"This would allow congregations to be sources of information on adopting or fostering children," she said. "They can learn how to be engaged with mentoring programs. This roundtable is designed to be a conversation."
Poe said Union and its social work department is glad to be part of the discussion. The department has worked with DCS in numerous ways, and many Union graduates work with DCS, she said.
The news release said the event is for pastors, youth ministers, deacons and other lay leaders from every faith tradition; local elected officials and other community leaders dedicated to helping children and families; and all child advocates and other citizens concerned about the well-being of West Tennessee's children.
—Tracie Simer, 425-9629
IF YOU GO
Faith-Based Roundtable Conference
6:30 p.m., Thursday
Grant Event Center, Union University
For more information, call 431-4064. There is no cost, but everyone must pre-register. Clergy and members of the Southwest Community Advisory Boards are invited to a special dinner meeting before the Roundtable, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Register at http://wtnroundtable2.eventbrite.com.
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