NASHVILLE, April 8, 2026 – A U.S. District Court in Tennessee denied the Department of Children’s Services’ (“DCS”) attempt to stop a lawsuit brought by foster children. The lawsuit, Keira M. v Quin (No. 3:25-cv-00566), which was filed last May by 19 foster children on behalf of the roughly 9,000 Tennessee children in foster care, claims that DCS fails to keep foster children safe. The decision, written by Judge Aleta A. Trauger, allows the children to continue fighting for their rights and move forward with their lawsuit.

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center Launches Special Impact Litigation Grant Program for Spring 2026. New grants will support the urgent need for high-impact civil rights litigation through funding and hands-on legal partnership.