On January 1, 2025, the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (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.
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.
For more information on foster care and adoption, please visit the DCS website.