Nashville, TN — The Department of Children’s Services (DCS) and the Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative (GFBCI) recently held a celebration at Belmont University’s Fisher Center to mark the launch of Every Child TN, a statewide initiative aimed at mobilizing Tennesseans to support children, youth, and families affected by foster care. The event included participation from over 1,700 foster families and children, as well as state and community leaders, foster care providers, and faith-based advocates.
Every Child TN builds on the efforts of former Governor Bill Haslam’s Tennessee Fosters and Governor Bill Lee’s Tennessee Fosters Hope by introducing new solutions to enhance foster care. These innovations include the use of advanced recruitment technology, new methods for community and faith organizations to meet tangible needs, and a seamless system for measuring, monitoring, and addressing the needs of foster children and families.
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The initiative is the result of two years of collaborative efforts by DCS and GFBCI, involving 39 foster care provider partners, over 300 community nonprofits and houses of worship, and thousands of foster care champions. In March, more than 2,300 individuals registered as “Every Child TN Champions” to volunteer and advocate for foster care. Additionally, over 300 state nonprofit, community, and faith leaders gathered at Motlow State Community College to co-design a coordinated effort to bolster foster care in Tennessee.
Governor Bill Lee praised the initiative, stating, “Government cannot solve our greatest challenges, and Tennesseans will always step up to serve the most vulnerable in our state. 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.”
Commissioner Quin expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, noting, “We are thrilled to celebrate Every Child TN, a transformative initiative leading to a brighter future for Tennessee children and families impacted by foster care. The Department of Children’s Services is deeply committed to ensuring every child in our state has the care they deserve. Together, we are strengthening foster care in Tennessee by inviting every community to serve children and families in need.”
Villio highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative, saying, “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. I am forever grateful to the innovative leadership of Commissioner Quin and the DCS staff. This is a massive undertaking, and none of this would be possible without their open and thoughtful collaboration at every turn.”
The initiative focuses on four main priorities: preserving families to prevent the need for state care, recruiting a diverse pool of foster families, retaining foster families for long-term stability, and supporting young people as they transition out of foster care.
At the celebration, Governor and First Lady Maria Lee presented Governor’s Excellence Awards to a foster family, a DCS staff member, a faith-based community, and a non-profit foster care provider. Additionally, Dollywood announced it will offer a complimentary one-day visit to foster children living in Tennessee in 2025 in recognition of the Every Child TN celebration.
More information about Every Child TN can be found on the website.
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About Every Child TN:
Every Child TN is a statewide initiative to mobilize all Tennesseans to care for children, youth, and families before, during, and after foster care.
About the Department of Children’s Services (DCS):
The Department of Children’s Services is Tennessee’s public child welfare agency and establishes statewide standards for performance that reflect best practices for child welfare.
About the Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative (GFBCI):
The Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative mobilizes Tennessee’s Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) to unite with state government in serving vulnerable Tennesseans.
Media Contacts:
Ashley Zarach
TN Department of Children’s Services
ashley.zarach@tn.gov
Mobile: 615.979.4454
Erik Lokkesmoe
TN Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative
erik.lokkesmoe@tn.gov
Mobile: 615.982.9008
Source: Read Original Release
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