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1Attend an Information Session Explore the process, meet Village staff, and decide if fostering is right for your family.
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2Submit Your Application Complete your application and mandatory government background check to move forward.
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3Training & Home Study Complete all clearances, preparation requirements, and training with Village guidance.
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4Approval & Placement Once approved, we find the right match and walk alongside you through placement day.
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5Ongoing Support & Care Training, mental health services, on-call support, and individualized care — always.
- Comprehensive Training
- 24/7 Support
- Financial Assistance
- Community & Connection
Foster Inquiry | Tennessee
A nurturing community for every child.
Tennessee currently serves more than 9,000 children and youth in foster care. While the overall number has remained steady in recent years, the needs of young people have grown more complex, particularly for teens, sibling groups, and children navigating trauma and behavioral health challenges.
Across the state, there is a growing need for foster caregivers who can provide stability, connection, and culturally responsive care. Many children are waiting for families who can support them through transitions, help them stay connected to their communities, and walk alongside them as they grow.
As The Village Family Services expands into Tennessee, we bring decades of experience supporting children, youth, and resource parents through foster care and adoption. Our approach is rooted in relationship, trust, and a deep belief in the strength and potential of every young person.
We begin by guiding prospective resource parents through the application and approval process. From there, we offer ongoing support, including training, mental health services, and individualized care for each child and teen. Our goal is to create stable, nurturing environments where young people can heal, grow, and thrive.
At The Village, we use the term “resource parents” to honor the vital role these individuals play in providing safety, connection, and opportunity. We are committed to ensuring every resource parent feels supported, prepared, and valued throughout their journey.
FAQs About Foster Care in Tennessee
The Village's Support for Foster Families
Personalized guidance from inquiry through licensing
A dedicated team member helps families understand each step, complete requirements, and stay on track.
Training and Readiness
Pre-licensed training, ongoing education, and practical guidance to help families feel prepared to receive a child in their home.
Ongoing case management support
Regular communication, problem-solving, and support after a child is placed in the home.
Foster Friendly App access
The Foster Friendly App connects foster and kinship families with local discounts, family resources, faith communities, events and ways to connect with other foster-friendly businesses.
Resource navigation
Help identifying services such as childcare, behavioral health support, educational resources, medical providers, and local family programs.
Family advocacy
Support communicating with schools, providers, agencies, and community partners when challenges arise.
Continued support beyond licensing
Our commitment to foster parents is clear: licensing is only the beginning. The Village remains alongside families, providing guidance, resources, and meaningful support throughout every stage of the foster care journey.
Get Ready to Foster
The Village works to ensure that prospective parents are ready to share a safe and stable home with a child or teen.
In that spirit, we require that all adults who are interested in becoming resource parents:
- Attend an orientation
- Complete an application
- Obtain a mandatory government background check
- Complete all clearances and preparation requirements
Once the process is completed, and we believe that we have a child that would be a great fit, we contact you to provide some initial information about the child. If you agree to proceed with placing the child in your home, you will meet the child on placement day, get acquainted, and begin building a connection.
The process is well organized and The Village is with you every step of the way. During orientation, you’ll receive a detailed overview of the steps you need to take, along with how you’ll collaborate with your social worker throughout the time that a child is in your care.
Help foster hopes and dreams
Foster families come in all shapes and sizes. We are currently recruiting resource parents who are interested in opening your hearts and your homes. In most cases, you’ll provide a loving and stable home for a child until they can be safely reunited with their families. However, there are situations where permanent adoption turns out to be what’s best for the child. To learn more, please attend one of our upcoming orientation sessions.
