Foster Parent Training for Providers
Foster parent training requirements are located in Chapter 16B of the DCS Policies & Procedures (Policy 16.9). The policy attachment includes the required training chart along with a list of available training options.
As of March 2024, non-therapeutic foster parents must complete 8 hours of training annually. Therapeutic foster parents must completed 14 hours of training annually, with 6 of these hours meeting therapeutic training requirements. Click the policy and policy attachment linked above for details.
To submit curriculum for review, complete the Curriculum Review Form. Contact Joye.G.Duvall@tn.gov if you have any questions.
Potential foster parents are required to complete Tennessee KEY pre-service training prior to foster home approval. TN KEY may be delivered by trainers certified by the Office of Training and Professional Development. TN KEY consists of 8 training modules:
- Informational Meeting
- Navigating the Child Welfare System
- Exploring the Impact of Trauma
- Roadmap to Resilience
- Rerouting Trauma Behaviors
- Medical Resources and Information
- CPR & First Aid
- MAP Meeting
- Roadwork
Foster parents have several opportunities to complete annual training requirements throughout the year. In additional to live virtual deliveries, many self-paced computer-based trainings are available. The Department also hosts annual virtual conferences in the spring and fall each year.
Provider foster parents may complete training through their respective agencies and through attending live virtual deliveries offered by DCS. Additionally, DCS uses the learning management system (LMS) DCS Brightspace, where foster parents can complete online training and track their training records. Agencies who would like to register their foster parents for a DCS Brightspace account may submit the Brightspace Account Request form.
The Office of Training and Professional Development provides regular training deliveries for provider staff to become certified to deliver foster parent training and to write and approve foster home studies. Visit the Training for Trainers webpage for training calendars and additional information. Courses available in the training for trainers series include:
TN KEY pre-service training
Creating Normalcy through Prudent Parenting
Trauma Informed Parenting Strategies
CPR & First Aid
Additionally, training in Profile of Parenting Study (POPS) and POPS Supervisor training is also available for home study writers.