PRE-SERVICE TRAINING
At AGAPE, we offer training courses required to become a state-certified foster family. Foster parents play a key role in the futures of the children and families they encounter. Whether providing temporary support or a permanent home, foster parents help to strengthen families and provide children in care a safe environment where they know they are important and loved.
To prepare for your role as a foster parent, you will learn effective tools and parenting methods to work with and guide the children who are welcomed into your family and gain an understanding of the different challenges faced by children who come into state custody.
Through the pre-approval training called TN-KEY (Knowledge Empowers You), you will learn how AGAPE foster parents work with DCS to improve the lives of children, information about current DCS policies on caring for children in custody and if foster parenting is right for you. Whether you want to provide a temporary home for children in need or have the ultimate goal of adoption, TN-KEY training will help prepare you for the unique challenges and rewards of becoming a foster parent.
Prior to attending the TN-KEY training series, prospective foster parents must attend a required Informational Meeting that provides an orientation to the child welfare system and an overview of what to expect in training to become a certified foster home.
How to Become a Foster Parent
- Complete the Inquiry Form for potential foster parents by clicking the button below.
- Following completion of the Inquiry Form, we will contact you to discuss minimum requirements and answer questions.
- Prospective foster parents must attend a required Informational Meeting and complete the self-assessment.
- If the prospective foster family is still interested, they must complete TN-KEY pre-service training.
- The Home Study process begins during training and will include extensive criminal history check and other paperwork and will provide a recommendation for approval or denial.
- If approved, the foster home will be ready to accept placements.
About TN-KEY
Thank you for your interest in serving the children of Tennessee. Foster parents in Tennessee play a key role in the futures of the children and families they encounter. Whether providing temporary support or a permanent home, foster parents help to strengthen families and provide children in care a safe environment where they know they are important and loved.
To prepare for your role as foster parent, you will learn effective tools and parenting methods to work with and guide the children who are welcomed into your family and to gain an understanding of the different challenges faced by children who come into state custody.
Through the pre-approval training TN KEY (Knowledge Empowers You), you will learn how foster parents work with DCS to improve the lives of children, information about current DCS policies on caring for children in custody, and ultimately if foster parenting is right for you. Whether you want to provide a temporary home for children in need or have the ultimate goal of adoption, TN KEY training will help prepare you for the unique challenges and rewards of becoming a foster parent.
Inquiry and Calendars
Please follow the steps to get started:
- Step 1: Complete the Inquiry Form
Before registering for an Informational Meeting, first complete the foster parent inquiry form below. - Step 2: Attend an Informational Meeting
The Informational Meeting is designed to help potential foster parents make an informed decision about whether they would like to continue with the training process to become a foster parent. - Step 3: Register for TN-KEY
Following the Informational Meeting, participants who choose to continue with the process of becoming a foster parent will need to complete the TN-KEY pre-approval training. - Step 4: Complete Home Study
The home study process begins during training and includes extensive criminal history check and other paperwork to provide a recommendation for approval or denial. If approved, the foster home will be ready to accept placements.
Training Materials
Informational Meeting
TN-KEY Materials
TN-KEY Roadwork (to be completed after each training module)
POST-APPROVAL TRAINING
Each year, foster parents must complete continuing education training. Specific training requirements for each year post-approval are listed HERE. Post-approval training is intended to support and educate foster parents so they can give the child(ren) in their care the best opportunity to thrive.
The Department of Children's Services offers certain online trainings that can be done anytime, which you can access by clicking here. You may also view the schedule for live webinars hosted by DCS by clicking here.
Some trainings offered by a workplace or educational setting may count toward your DCS training hours. Email details about the course to Raymond Hand prior to taking the course. After completion, complete the online training hours request form linked here.
