Foster Friendly® Blount County

Foster Friendly® represents a transformative approach, uniting multiple sectors to create measurable, sustainable impact for the foster care community. Foster Friendly® Communities impact vulnerable children and families where they work, live and play. Foster Friendly® Communities, collectively support foster parents so they are able to keep their homes open longer and better serve kids in their care, minimizing further trauma by creating safe, stable environments for healing and growth.

Blount County demonstrates a strong commitment to cultivating a Foster Friendly® Community through hosting foster parent recruitment events and encouraging businesses to support families.

The local Foster Friendly® Coalition brings together local leaders, businesses, faith communities, nonprofits, and local leaders who share a common goal to make Blount County a place where kids find belonging. The coalition meets regularly to collaborate with Foster Friendly® partners, raise awareness about the needs of children and families impacted by foster care, and create practical support for foster and kinship families in the area.

A Community of Care

In Foster Friendly® Communities foster families are seen and supported by:

Every Foster Friendly® Community must have multiple sectors committed to supporting foster families.
To begin, we aim for 5% of faith communities to become Foster Friendly, 5% of foster families in the area supported by a WRAP Team, and 10% of businesses in the area providing discounts or services to foster and kinship parents.
Blount County is well on its way to reaching its goals!

38.3%

BUSINESSES
supporting foster families

71.4%

FAITH COMMUNITIES
supporting foster families

100%

WRAP TEAMS
supporting foster families

Join us for an event to celebrate foster families and discover your role in building a Foster Friendly® Blount County. Learn how our community can come together to support children and families impacted by foster care through practical, meaningful action.

RSVP TO THE BLOUNT COUNTY KICKOFF

MORE DETAILS COMING SOON


Foster Friendly Communities serve as safe spaces, where everyone is welcome and the community-at-large is attuned to the unique needs of kids in care. It is also our hope that local officials and change makers experience a rewarding sense of civic responsibility while building a  culture of compassion and inclusivity that will have generational impact.

Find Your Yes!

  • Businesses – consider offering a product, service, or discount on our Foster Friendly® App
  • Faith Communities – provide safe, supportive environments for families navigating foster care through WRAP teams or events such as hosting a Parents Night Out
  • Individuals – ask “What’s my yes?”  Whether it’s becoming a foster parent, providing a meal, mentoring a teen, or simply spreading awareness, there’s a role for everyone.

Because when a community says “yes” to foster care, children experience healing, families are strengthened, and futures are rewritten. Thanks to everyone who has played a role in launching this initiative! We can’t wait to see the impact in Blount County and throughout Tennessee.

GET INVOLVED

CONTACT
Tracy Taplin

Community Engagement Manager