Who Can Be a Foster Parent?
Foster parents come from all walks of life and have a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS) maintains several requirements that must be met by persons interested in the foster care program.
Those interested must be able to:
• Give without the expectation of immediate returns
• Have room in their home and in their daily life
• Learn and use proven behavioral management skills
• Love and care for children with problems
Foster Parents can be:
• Single or married
• With or without children of their own
• Employed or not employed, but able to financially meet his/her own needs
• Must be in sufficient good health
• Should be 21 years of age
What Does it Take to Become a Licensed Foster Home?
Because of the complexity of the critical role foster parents play, DCS carefully assesses all applicants. It also provides the opportunity for prospective foster parents to work with a case manager to assess themselves before they accept the role of foster parent. DCS will complete a home study for potential applicants who complete all licensing requirements. Licensing requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
Potential foster parents must successfully complete 23-hours of PATH in-service training, including homework.
DCS conducts home visits and interviews with potential foster parents (three for single applicants, four for couples). One home visit will include a home safety inspection.
DCS complete background checks for the following:
Potential applicants cannot be approved if they have felony convictions for any of the following:
Potential applicants cannot be approved if they have felony convictions in the last five years for the following:
Who Do I Contact About Starting PATH Classes And Beginning The Home Study Process?
If you are interested in becoming a Resource Parent for Tennessee children, please call 1-877-DCS-KIDS.
Are Foster Parents Paid or Supported in Other Ways?
Foster parents are paid a daily board rate per foster child or youth in the home. All medical and dental needs are paid for by TN Care.
Foster parents are supported in other ways, such as:
Foster parents come from all walks of life and have a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS) maintains several requirements that must be met by persons interested in the foster care program.
Those interested must be able to:
• Give without the expectation of immediate returns
• Have room in their home and in their daily life
• Learn and use proven behavioral management skills
• Love and care for children with problems
Foster Parents can be:
• Single or married
• With or without children of their own
• Employed or not employed, but able to financially meet his/her own needs
• Must be in sufficient good health
• Should be 21 years of age
What Does it Take to Become a Licensed Foster Home?
Because of the complexity of the critical role foster parents play, DCS carefully assesses all applicants. It also provides the opportunity for prospective foster parents to work with a case manager to assess themselves before they accept the role of foster parent. DCS will complete a home study for potential applicants who complete all licensing requirements. Licensing requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
Potential foster parents must successfully complete 23-hours of PATH in-service training, including homework.
- Orientation (2 hrs)
- Understanding the Child Welfare System (3 hrs)
- Impact of Trauma on Children on Children (3 hrs)
- Effective Discipline for Hurt Children (3 hrs)
- Cultural Awareness (1 hr) & Expert Panel (2hrs)
- Medication Administration (4 hrs)
- CPR/First Aid (4 hrs)
- Support Team Meeting (1 hr)
DCS conducts home visits and interviews with potential foster parents (three for single applicants, four for couples). One home visit will include a home safety inspection.
DCS complete background checks for the following:
- Fingerprints
- Local police records check
- A Methamphetamine Offender Registry Clearance
- A State and National Sexual Offender Registry Clearance
- A Tennessee Felony Offender Database Clearance
- A Child Abuse Registry Clearance
Potential applicants cannot be approved if they have felony convictions for any of the following:
- Child abuse and neglect
- Spousal abuse
- A crime against a child, including child pornography
- A crime involving rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but including physical assault or battery.
Potential applicants cannot be approved if they have felony convictions in the last five years for the following:
- Physical assault
- Battery
- A drug/alcohol related offense
Who Do I Contact About Starting PATH Classes And Beginning The Home Study Process?
If you are interested in becoming a Resource Parent for Tennessee children, please call 1-877-DCS-KIDS.
Are Foster Parents Paid or Supported in Other Ways?
Foster parents are paid a daily board rate per foster child or youth in the home. All medical and dental needs are paid for by TN Care.
Foster parents are supported in other ways, such as:
- Initial training and ongoing educational opportunities.
- Regular professional support from DCS staff.
- Access to therapeutic services that the child may need.