A comprehensive strategy created by the Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative and the TN Department of Children's Services to transform foster care in 95 counties
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Tennessee Celebrates Historic "Every Child TN" Initiative
The Department of Children’s Services and the Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative unveil comprehensive strategy to transform foster care in 95 counties.
The Department of Children’s Services (DCS) and the Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative (GFBCI), alongside more than 1,700 foster families and children, state and community leaders, foster care providers and faith-based advocates, held a celebration at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for Every Child TN, a statewide initiative to mobilize all Tennesseans to care for children, youth, and families before, during, and after foster care.
Every Child TN expands upon the work of former Governor Bill Haslam’s Tennessee Fosters and Governor Bill Lee’s Tennessee Fosters Hope by building upon past efforts and introducing innovative solutions.
These innovations include implementing a proven recruitment technology, providing new mechanisms for community and faith organizations to meet tangible needs, and creating a seamless integration for measuring, monitoring, and meeting the needs of foster children and families.
Every Child TN is the result of two years of DCS and GFBCI efforts, in collaboration with 39 foster care provider partners, more than 300 community nonprofits and houses of worship, and thousands of foster care champions. In March alone, more than 2,300 individuals registered to become “Every Child TN Champions” as volunteers and advocates. Also in March, over 300 state nonprofit, community, and faith leaders gathered at Motlow State Community College to co-design a unified and coordinated effort to bolster foster care in Tennessee, including sharing data, best practices, and resources.
In collaboration with stakeholders, DCS and GFBCI introduce four priorities of Every Child TN:
Preservation of families to prevent children from coming into state care by addressing the root causes of family instability.
Recruitment of more families to cultivate a diverse pool of resilient foster families capable of meeting the varied needs of children in state care.
Retention of foster families to ensure long-term stability and permanency for children in foster care.
Transition young people as they age out of foster care and provide support as they become independent adults.
During the Every Child TN Celebration, Governor and First Lady Maria Lee presented Governor’s Excellence Awards to a foster family, a DCS staff member, a faith-based community, and a non-profit foster care provider. DCS and GFBCI also announced that Dollywood, in recognition of the Every Child TN celebration, will offer a complimentary one-day visit to foster children living in Tennessee in 2025.
Every Child TN Celebration
The Partnership Between GFBCI and DCS
GFBCI Executive Director Lance Villio discusses with DCS Commissioner Margie Quin the importance of community and faith partners in serving vulnerable children across Tennessee.
By The Numbers: Foster Care in TN
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Over 8,000 children in state custody and around 5,000 approved licensed families.
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4,131 young people aged out of foster care in the last 5 years.
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861 aged out in the 2022-23 fiscal year — an increase from 801 in 2021-22.
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Of the young people eligible for extension of foster care through DCS, only 50% accept services
Every Child TN (ECTN) pursues its mission to mobilize all Tennesseans to care for children, youth, and families impacted by foster care through four priority areas–Preservation, Recruitment, Retention, and Transition–along with other related special projects to bolster community support.
ECTN Preservation focuses on preventing children from entering state custody by addressing the root causes of family instability. This is achieved through partnerships with government agencies and community-based programs offering parenting education, mental health services, tangible assistance, and substance abuse counseling. Awareness efforts also emphasize the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies, aiming to provide support to at-risk families before crises escalate.
ECTN Recruitment cultivates a diverse pool of resilient foster families who can effectively meet the varied needs of children who enter state custody. Strategies include conducting research to identify regional needs, implementing targeted recruitment campaigns, and providing an integrated platform for fostering agencies and prospective families. Thoughtful user experience design also enhances positive outcomes as Tennesseans inquire about foster care.
In concert with ECTN Recruitment, Retention efforts support currently fostering families to ensure long-term stability and permanency for children in foster care. Ongoing training, resources, and mentorship–offered by ECTN partners–help to enhance caregiving skills, while multi-faith leaders and community groups engage in wrap-around volunteerism to provide additional support. These efforts aim to create a supportive environment for foster families, encouraging their continued involvement in the foster care system.
ECTN Transition efforts focus on supporting young people as they age out of foster care and transition into independence by developing personalized transition plans–covering education, housing, employment, and healthcare support. Additionally, transition efforts emphasize collaboration among child welfare agencies, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations to provide whole-person-focused support services.
ECTN Partners
Community organizations and governmental agencies play a critical role in preserving, recruiting, retaining, and transitioning foster children and families, as well as providing vital support and care.
Community & Nonprofit Partners:
- Preservation–keeping families together: CarePortal
- Recruitment–inviting families to foster: The Contingent, Network Partners (licensed child placement agencies, and foster-serving volunteer organizations), DCS–Child Programs, TN Kids Belong
- Retention–supporting fostering families: FAM, TN Kids Belong, DCS–Child Programs
- Transition–caring for young people transitioning out of foster care: Belmont Innovation Labs, DCS–Independent Living
Department & Agency Partners:
- TN Dept. of Children’s Services (Child Protective Services, Child Programs, Office of Independent Living, et al.)
- TN Dept. of Human Services
- TN Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development
- TN Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
- TN General Assembly (TN Commission on Children and Youth)