In 1999, the Childhelp Foster Family Agency of East Tennessee opened its doors to fulfill its role in creating healthy, loving family relationships between children and families. Actively recruiting, certifying and training foster families in Eastern Tennessee, Childhelp provides the following services:
Peace – The True Name for Home
Childhelp provides case management and training for families to maximize each child’s potential to heal and grow. The ultimate goal is to create a place of peace for the child and family — to create a home. With this in mind, Childhelp creates individualized treatment plans which meet each foster child’s needs, including appropriate individual and family therapy sessions and supervised visits with the child’s biological parents.
In response to the unique needs of children in the foster care system, the agency developed support programs and training to promote the unity and quality of Tennessee foster homes. Childhelp conducts home studies to maintain the quality of each foster home and verify that the family/child relationship is healthy. Therapy sessions are offered to cultivate trust and healthy relationships between the families and the foster youth.
The agency also promotes successful reunification with biological parents, working with foster youth and their biological parents through positive parenting training and supervised child visitations.
What does it take to be a foster parent in Tennessee?
What will the Childhelp Foster Family Agency Provide?
Being a Foster Care Parent
From Childhelp parents in Knoxville Tennessee:
“Being a foster parent with Childhelp Tennessee has been a truly rewarding experience.
Our journey began February 1st, 2006. My husband and I attended all the required PATH (Parents As Tender Healers) training and felt like we were prepared. “Bring it on”, we said. Believe me, nothing can prepare you for the wounded children that come to your home when you get the call asking if you can open your heart. I will never forget the look of fear and uncertainty in the eyes of the two children that walked into our lives that night. They were so used to a life of unspeakable neglect that a simple hug sent waves of fear throughout them.
Little by little our lives began to have routine and the people of Childhelp became our lifeline. What a ride! The two wounded children we first met in February are now flourishing teenagers who are smothered with kisses and hugs. The past will always be a part of them and us. Our experience has truly made us better people. I sometimes wonder if they saved us or if we saved them. Tony and I thank God daily for the miracles that he has sent our way and the friends we have made at Childhelp. I am often asked, would I do it again? Absolutely. We had the opportunity to truly look in the eyes of God. How many people can say that?”
Enrichment Programs
Community Outreach and Educational Trainings
Program Characteristics
Received national accreditation from the Council of Accreditation (COA) in 2009.
Through a competitive process in 2009, Childhelp has been awarded a contract to serve foster children from the State of Tennessee.
Located on a scenic, 50-acre farm surrounded by foothills in east Tennessee. The property has a newly completed barn and cabin for respite retreats and foster youth recreation.
For General Questions and Inquiries, please call 865-579-5498, or fill out the contact form below.