Becoming a Foster Parent in Tennessee
HOW TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT IN TENNESSEE
The goal of the Tennessee foster care system is to provide safe, stable home environments for children who have been placed into state custody. As the state addresses issues in the child’s home and family environment, foster parents can help give the child a sense of normalcy, security and safety.
According to recent data, there are nearly 8,810 children in the foster care system in the state of Tennessee. Many of these children have experienced trauma, grief, loss and maltreatment. They are often at risk for medical, behavioral and emotional health issues. Many are unable to return to their families and homes, and may face educational and financial disadvantages that affect them into adulthood. Foster parents who face these challenges with dedication, patience and love can be a life-changing influence on children in the state system.
If you’re interested in becoming a Tennessee foster parent, you may have questions about the requirements and processes involved.
Today, we’re answering frequently asked questions and providing information every prospective foster parent in Tennessee should know.
What is a Foster Parent?
Foster parents step in to provide for a child’s physical, mental and emotional needs when the child’s birth parents or close relatives are unable to do so. Love, patience, compassion and empathy are extremely important qualities for foster parents, as many of the children placed in their care have experienced emotional, physical or psychological trauma.
The biggest difference between traditional parents and foster parents is time. The average length of time a child is in foster care in Tennessee is about two years. Many children are only in foster care for a few weeks or months before they are reunited with their birth parents.
At times, children in foster care are not able to be reunited with their birth family, and their parents’ parental rights are terminated. In these situations, it may become possible for a foster parent to adopt them.
The most important aspect of foster parenting is placing the child’s best interests first.
What Are the Most Important Qualities in a Foster Parent?
It’s important for all prospective foster parents to understand the unique challenges and opportunities the position brings.
Patience, flexibility, empathy, and being a good listener are among the most important personal qualities for foster parents to have.
Foster parents should also understand the vital role of supportive discipline and guidance in their children’s lives. They should be skilled at providing discipline that doesn’t emphasize punishment, but education.
Perhaps most importantly, foster parents should understand that their role is rarely an easy one. It may take a long time to build a sense of trust and security in the children you foster. You may struggle to understand their behaviors or reactions, and you may feel as though you aren’t making a difference or are being challenged beyond your capabilities.
Staying positive and remaining dedicated to your goal of improving a child’s life can help you weather these challenges.
What Are Clarvida’s Requirements for Foster Parents?
The state of Tennessee has several requirements for potential foster parents.
To become a foster parent, applicants must:
- Be at least 25 years of age
- Be in reasonably good health (you must submit to a health screening)
- Be able to financially support themselves
- Foster parents can be single or married, with or without children.
- Submit to and pass a background check, including fingerprints
- Provide five references
- Attend an Informational Meeting and complete a self-assessment
- Complete TN-KEY training
- Participate in a home study
- Have a Home Visit completed to assess for Safety
Once you have completed all of these requirements, you are eligible to be approved as a foster parent in the state of Tennessee.
