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Research Review Committee

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Purpose: The Research Review Committee is a DCS committee whose purpose is to ensure that research requests are reviewed, approved and executed in accordance with relevant state and federal laws and regulations and with DCS policy. The policy applies to research requests involving possible use of human subjects and confidential DCS data. The work of the committee is governed by DCS Policy 1.33. The committee is chaired by the Director of the Division of Evaluation & Monitoring, with input from committee members and a DCS attorney who advises the committee, with the Commissioner having final approval over research requests.

Research Request Forms: If you are a researcher with a university, state or federal agency, you will need to complete one of the appropriate forms below. Please email your completed request to Eric Henderson.

• Request for Access to Human Subjects CS-0334
• Request for Information CS-0541
• Research Involving Study of Existing Records or Data CS 0542

Public Record Request: If you are college student writing a research paper, you may access the links below to access aggregate data. You are not required to complete the forms for DCS approval.

• Bureau of Justice Statistics
• Child Welfare Information Gateway
• Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)
• Kids Count Data Center
• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• TN Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (TCJFCJ)
• National data analysis system (NDAS)