A new Tennessee law specifies parental rights cannot be terminated solely because of economic disadvantage. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
“Child protective services should focus on providing resources that families actually need rather than punishing families for being poor,” I said. “Raise your hand if you agree.”
As I looked over the room of training attendees at Healthy and Free Tennessee’s Day on the Hill in March, I watched dozens of hands, all of them, rise. The answer felt obvious — undeniable even. And yet, until now, Tennessee law did not reflect that truth. That moment — surrounded by parents, advocates and community members — it was clear: we weren’t just agreeing on a statement — we were standing together in a demand for justice. That shared clarity is what powered our movement forward. And now, that vision is becoming reality…