TN launches new grant program to lower the cost of adoption

(Nov. 21, 2024) - In recognition of November being National Adoption Month, Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) announced today the launch of a new program to reduce the cost of the private adoption process for Tennessee families while helping recruit more foster families.

On January 1, 2025, DCS will begin a Home Study Reimbursement Grant Program utilizing state funds appropriated to help adoptive families. The initiative will reimburse families up to $ 1,000 for the cost of a home study completed by a licensed child-placing agency or licensed clinical social worker, which is required to be adopted in Tennessee.

The state currently covers the entire cost of home studies for foster families, but a home study for a private adoption can cost thousands of dollars.

Through this grant program, DCS will have the opportunity to educate participating families on the need for more foster families and invite them to consider fostering while waiting for a private placement.

To be eligible for the grant, individuals must have completed a home study by a licensed Tennessee child placing agency on or after July 1, 2024. Eligible individuals will need to fill out an online application and provide proof of payment for the completed home study. The online application will be available on the DCS website beginning Jan. 1. Applications will be processed in the order they are received, up to 1,000.

The Home Study Reimbursement Program grew out of a collaboration between DCS, Gov.Lee’s office, and The Adoption Project, a nonprofit organization focused on adoption and foster care public policy.

“Every child deserves to have a safe, loving home, and we continue to make this a top priority across Tennessee,” said Gov. Lee. “As DCS and community partners continue working to support Tennessee children in need, this new grant program will ease a financial burden on adoptive families while engaging additional prospective foster.”

“Adoption is a beautiful gift that is encouraged in all forms. At the same time, Tennessee has a great need for more foster families," DCS Commissioner Margie Quin Said. "This program only helps adoptive parents but gives them an opportunity to care for some of our most vulnerable children awaiting placement.”

“We are always hearing, and we know from our own personal experiences, that the cost of adoption is a huge challenge for families. We are grateful to Gov. Lee for helping families who want to open their homes to children in need,” said Jeremy Harrell, President and CEO of the adoption Project. “This is good policy on a state level, and we are also thankful to CommissionerQuin and the Governor’s team who helped make this happen.”

There are currently more than 8,000 youth in DCS care, with only about 5,000 approved foster homes across the state. In fiscal year 2023, there were 1,064 home studies completed by a licensed child placing agencies in Tennessee.

For more information on foster care and adoption, please visit the DCS website.