In observance of National Adoption Month in November, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) have introduced a new grant program aimed at alleviating the costs associated with private adoptions for families in Tennessee. This initiative also seeks to recruit more foster families within the state.
Starting January 1, 2025, the Home Study Reimbursement Grant Program will offer financial assistance to adoptive families, reimbursing up to $1,000 for home studies conducted by licensed child-placing agencies or licensed clinical social workers. A home study is a mandatory step in the adoption process in Tennessee, and while the state currently covers this cost for foster families, private adoption studies can be quite expensive.
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The grant program also serves as a platform for DCS to engage with participating families about the need for more foster families and encourages them to consider fostering while awaiting private placement.
To qualify for the grant, applicants must have completed a home study through a licensed Tennessee child-placing agency on or after July 1, 2024. Eligible individuals will need to submit an online application, available on the DCS website starting January 1, along with proof of payment for the home study. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, limited to 1,000 applicants.
The creation of the Home Study Reimbursement Program is a result of collaboration between DCS, Governor Lee’s office, and The Adoption Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to adoption and foster care policy.
Governor Lee emphasized the importance of providing safe and loving homes for children across Tennessee, highlighting the grant program as a means to reduce financial burdens on adoptive families while increasing the pool of prospective foster parents. DCS Commissioner Margie Quin echoed this sentiment, noting that while adoption is a rewarding process, the state also has a significant need for more foster families.
Jeremy Harrell, President and CEO of The Adoption Project, expressed gratitude for the initiative, acknowledging the financial challenges adoption presents and commending the state’s supportive policies.
Currently, there are over 8,000 youth in DCS care, with only about 5,000 approved foster homes in Tennessee. In fiscal year 2023, licensed child-placing agencies in Tennessee completed 1,064 home studies.
For additional details on foster care and adoption, interested parties can visit the DCS website.
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