What is Foster Care?
There are children and youth in Tennessee who are unable to live with their natural parents or guardians because their parents face issues such as alcohol or drug addiction, illness, incarceration, domestic violence, etc. These children have been harmed, or may have been at risk of harm; or their parents may not be able to care for them. Foster care is a service that provides the family and the child a time to heal and work through issues while the child is required to be in an out-of-home placement. Often it is for a short period of time. Sometimes it is forever.
Who Are These Children?
Thousands of children in Tennessee enter the foster care system each year. They range in age from infancy to age 18 and come from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds. All foster children have unique experiences, personalities, strengths and needs. Many have been victims of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, abandonment or chronic neglect. Some require help with undisciplined and delinquent behaviors. Others require extensive care for physical or emotional handicaps and disabilities.
There are children and youth in Tennessee who are unable to live with their natural parents or guardians because their parents face issues such as alcohol or drug addiction, illness, incarceration, domestic violence, etc. These children have been harmed, or may have been at risk of harm; or their parents may not be able to care for them. Foster care is a service that provides the family and the child a time to heal and work through issues while the child is required to be in an out-of-home placement. Often it is for a short period of time. Sometimes it is forever.
Who Are These Children?
Thousands of children in Tennessee enter the foster care system each year. They range in age from infancy to age 18 and come from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds. All foster children have unique experiences, personalities, strengths and needs. Many have been victims of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, abandonment or chronic neglect. Some require help with undisciplined and delinquent behaviors. Others require extensive care for physical or emotional handicaps and disabilities.