Fostering Childen.
At Knoxville Foster Care, we collaborate closely with the Department of Children's Services (DCS) to place and provide ongoing support for children who are medically fragile or have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Our Children’s Services are family-centered and operate through a specialized foster care program. This program uniquely places children with disabilities in a family environment, matched with specially trained foster parents. Our mission is to ensure safety, well-being, and permanency for children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) through nurturing, trauma-informed care.
Children are carefully matched with families based on common interests and their level of need. This personalized approach allows children to enjoy familiar activities while discovering new experiences alongside their foster families. Foster families provide around-the-clock care, creating a stable, nurturing environment where children can thrive.
Our commitment is to help children reach a healthy, happy adulthood by fostering environments that promote growth and achievement of milestones. We work toward permanency through reunification, adoption, or long-term care, with a focus on maintaining a safe, supportive environment. In accordance with DCS permanency plans, we support family reunification, aid in adoptive placements, and, when necessary, establish planned long-term living arrangements.
We also serve youth aging out of foster care through Permanent Planned Living Arrangements and Extensions of Foster Care, ensuring continued support as they transition to adulthood. Our administrative team collaborates with case managers to assist in enrolling youth into adult Medicaid waiver programs (ECF, DDA, etc.), ensuring a seamless transition from DCS custody to adult care without disrupting their placement.
Knoxville Foster Care strictly follows DCS protocols and guidelines, while going above and beyond to ensure the best possible care for our youth. We provide additional training for our foster families in areas such as documentation, CPR, First Aid, and TN KEY training.
TN KEY pre-approval training prepares foster parents for the challenges and rewards of caring for children with disabilities. Through this training, you’ll learn how to partner with DCS to improve children's lives, gain a deeper understanding of DCS policies, and determine if foster parenting is the right path for you. Whether you’re interested in providing temporary care or have adoption in mind, TN KEY equips you for the journey.
Once you’ve completed training and the contracting process, you will await a match with a child compatible with your family. The timing of placement varies, depending on the current needs within the Tennessee foster care system.
If you’re interested in becoming a therapeutic foster parent for children with disabilities, please fill out the form below.
