Tennessee Celebrates Historic ‘Every Child TN’ Initiative

NASHVILLE (August 26) — The Department of Children’s Services (DCS) and the Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative (GFBCI), alongside more than 1,700 foster families and children, state and community leaders, foster care providers and faith-based advocates, held a celebration at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for Every Child TN, a statewide initiative to mobilize all Tennesseans to care for children, youth, and families before, during, and after foster care.

Every Child TN expands upon the work of former Governor Bill Haslam’s Tennessee Fosters and Governor Bill Lee’s Tennessee Fosters Hope by building upon past efforts and introducing innovative solutions.

These innovations include implementing a proven recruitment technology, providing new mechanisms for community and faith organizations to meet tangible needs, and creating a seamless integration for measuring, monitoring, and meeting 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. In March alone, more than 2,300 individuals registered to become “Every Child TN Champions” as volunteers and advocates. Also in March, over 300 state nonprofit, community, and faith leaders gathered at Motlow State Community College to co-design a unified and coordinated effort to bolster foster care in Tennessee, including sharing data, best practices, and resources.

“Government cannot solve our greatest challenges, and Tennesseans will always step up to serve the most vulnerable in our state,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “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.”

"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,” said Commissioner Quin. “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."

“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,” said Villio. “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.”

In collaboration with stakeholders, DCS and GFBCI introduce four priorities of Every Child TN: Preservation of families to prevent children from coming into state care by addressing the root causes of family instability. Recruitment of more families to cultivate a diverse pool of resilient foster families capable of meeting the varied needs of children in state care.

Retention of foster families to ensure long-term stability and permanency for children in foster care. Transition young people as they age out of foster care and provide support as they become independent adults.

During Monday’s Every Child TN 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. DCS and GFBCI also announced that Dollywood, in recognition of the Every Child TN celebration, will offer a complimentary one-day visit to foster children living in Tennessee in 2025.