A faith-based foster care initiative started by former Gov. Bill Haslam (R) and continued by Gov. Bill Lee (R) will be implemented in 95 Tennessee counties, according to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS).
The program is called Every Child TN and is the next iteration of Haslam’s Tennessee Fosters and Lee’s Tennessee Fosters Hope.
DCS and the Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative (GFBCI) unveiled that program, described as “a statewide initiative to mobilize all Tennesseans to care for children, youth, and families before, during, and after foster care,” at a celebration at Belmont University with 1,700 foster families and children, state and community leaders, foster care providers and faith-based advocates.
The new project focuses on innovation in recruiting foster care providers, aligning community and faith-based organizations to meet foster care needs, and implementing strategies to measure, monitor, and meet the needs of foster children and families.
“Every Child TN is the result of two years of DCS and GFBCI efforts, in collaboration with 39 foster care provider partners, more than 300 community nonprofits and houses of worship, and thousands of foster care champions,” according to DCS.
The release says that 2,300 people signed up in March alone to become “Every Child TN Champions,” who will serve as volunteers and advocates for foster families and children.
The release also says that more than 300 faith leaders gathered at Motlow State Community College in March to collaborate on best practices for the foster care system, especially regarding data and resources.
“Government cannot solve our greatest challenges, and Tennesseans will always step up to serve the most vulnerable in our state,” Lee said. “Every Child TN invites all of us to care for children and families impacted by foster care. I commend the tireless work of foster families, service providers, faith and community partners, and DCS staff.”
GFBCI Executive Director Lange Villio also celebrated the new initiative.
Every Child TN demonstrates what can happen when we invite everyone to the table, co-design a strategy with state government, community providers, and faith partners, and unite around a single shared vision for the most vulnerable Tennesseans: kids and youth in crisis,” he said, adding that he is “forever grateful to the innovative leadership of [DCS] Commissioner [Margie] Quin and the DCS staff.”
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Peter D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Peter on Twitter/X.
