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FOSTER CARE FAQs
What is the role of a foster parent?
Foster parents love, celebrate, mentor, coach, comfort, support and encourage the children in their home. Foster parents work as a team with the child’s caseworker and biological parents to ensure the wellbeing of the child in their care. The goal of foster care is to reunite the child with their biological family, so foster care is meant to be temporary
How can I get certified as a foster parent?
The first step is to connect with Every Child TN. We’ll get to know you, help answer questions you may have, and help connect you with the right agency. Then you’ll complete the certification process, which includes:
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Taking classes and attending trainings
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Home visits with your DCS team
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Determining how many children you’ll be able to care for
After you’re certified, you’ll be able to begin taking care of foster children.
How long does it take to become licensed?
There are a few requirements by the state of Tennessee for those who wish to become a licensed foster parent:
The process depends on the foster parents’ ability to complete the requirements, so an optimal time is about 3 months, but varies mostly between 3 and 6 months.
What is required to become a foster parent?
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Must be at least 21 years of age
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Must live in Tennessee for at least 3 months
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Pass a criminal history and background check with fingerprinting
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Demonstrate financial and home stability
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Have housing that meets physical safety standards – adequate space and reliable transportation
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Complete TN KEY training and become first aid and CPR trainings
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Complete a home study assessment
Who are the kids who need foster parents?
We help all kinds of children and families, from all over Tennessee. We help children from many different backgrounds and cultures. Like any child, children in foster care are unique. Each has their own special personality, abilities, interests, and potential. So, we need safe foster homes who can support the children in their care.
How long do kids stay in foster care?
The amount of time children are in foster care can vary. Placements can last a few weeks, a few months, or several years. How long a child stays in a foster home is usually decided by their biological parent’s ability to engage with services designed to keep their children safe. During this time, a supportive home can make a big difference for a child.
What support is available for foster parents?
Foster parents can receive a variety of different supports. Agencies can help foster parents by:
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Providing training
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Connecting foster parents to other services
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Regularly checking in
Are foster parents paid?
Foster parents receive a monthly stipend for each child’s expenses. The reimbursement rate varies depending on each child’s age and level of need. Children’s medical and dental costs are also covered by a state-funded health plan.
What is the difference between Every Child and the Department of Children’s Services?
Every Child TN is a community initiative designed to provide love, care, and support for vulnerable children and families in the state. We work in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services to engage community members and faith-based partners to serve vulnerable children, families, and youth before, during and after foster care.
We're here to:
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Make it easier than ever to make a difference for children and families impacted by foster care by answering your questions, providing resources, and sharing stories.
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Connect you with the right agency to start the foster parent certification process.
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Connect you with organizations who need dedicated
DCS manages the certification process and will help support you as you become a foster parent.
What’s the difference between the Department of Children’s Services and a private agency?
The Department of Children’s Services is a state agency that manages foster care and the custody of all children in foster care. Private agencies are licensed businesses that contract with DCS to help place children into foster homes. Both DCS and private agencies can help you determine the right foster care path for you and provide support along the way.
Are foster families needed?
The Department of Children’s Services is a state agency that manages foster care and the custody of all children in foster care. Private agencies are licensed businesses that contract with DCS to help place children into foster homes. Both DCS and private agencies can help you determine the right foster care path for you and provide support along the way.
Who are the children who need foster care?
Children living in foster care may be infants, toddlers, preschoolers, grade school-age, or teenagers.
They come from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures, and families. They are just like any other
children except they are entering foster care because of abuse or neglect that made their home unsafe.
These children may have higher needs related to their experiences, including the trauma, grief, and loss
of being removed from their biological families’ care.
In Tennessee, there is a high demand for foster parents who can care for sibling groups—keeping
siblings together--, and families who can care for and support teenagers. There is also a need for families
who can provide access to a culturally specific foster home children of color in Tennessee.
What is the role of a foster parent?
Foster parents help support families during a challenging time. They work as a team with the child’s case
worker to ensure the well-being of the child in their care. A foster parent’s impact is far-reaching as they
provide a positive influence community-wide. Foster parents love, celebrate, mentor, coach, comfort,
support, and encourage the children in their home.
How are children matched with foster parents?
Licensed child placement agencies and The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services identify the
best placement option for each child. Tennessee’s goal is that children should be placed in a family-like
setting whenever available to meet each child’s individual needs. Every Child Tennessee brings more
foster homes and volunteers forward to work toward a goal of more than enough foster homes to serve
the unique needs of every child that comes into foster care and keep children in their school district and
community.
How do you become a foster parent?
In Tennessee, foster parents must be licensed by the State of Tennessee’s Department of Child Services
or a licensed child placing agency. To become a licensed foster parent, certain requirements must be
met, including:
• Attending 20 hours of pre-service training.
• Demonstrating financial stability.
• Passing an environmental inspection and safety standards.
• Providing medical statements for all household members.
• Demonstrating emotional stability.
• Completing a home study
There is a dedicated team at Every Child TN who will guide you towards meaningful opportunities to help, including:
- Becoming a foster parent
- Donating tangible items
- Providing support to staff at local child welfare offices
- Volunteering your time through one of the Every Child TN network organizations
For additional resources, please visit everychildTN.org.
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