Supports and Services for Expectant and Parenting Youth in Foster Care - Tennessee

Date: October 2025

Youth's Parental Rights
Citation: DCS Pol. # 16.8

In policy: Minor parents retain all rights to their children regardless of whether they are in the child welfare system. However, if a child is removed from a dependent child based on abuse, neglect, or a voluntary placement, reasonable efforts must be made to keep parent and child together.

Fathers should be supported and included in prepregnancy activities and upon birth of their child to support the development of a strong bond with their child and an appropriate coparenting relationship with the child's mother.

Placement Options
Citation: Ann. Code § 37-5-501; DCS Pol. # 16.36

A 'maternity home' is any place or facility operated by any entity or person that receives, treats, or cares for more than one child or adult who is pregnant out of wedlock, either before, during, or within 2 weeks after childbirth.

In policy: Sometimes, it is necessary to place a minor parent in foster care. A decision is made that it is in the best interest of both the minor parent and his or her child to be placed together in a licensed resource family home or a child care institution. A child of a minor parent living in a licensed resource family home or a child care institution is not considered to be in 'foster care' if the minor parent's child has not been legally removed from the parent pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement or a judicial determination.

Health Services 
Citation: Code of Rules § 0250-4-7-.07

Each maternity home shall have a medical advisor who is a licensed physician who is available for individual case consultation as needed. Each maternity home shall have the services of a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse who is responsible for coordinating the total health services provided to each resident, maintaining contact with the residents, recognizing problems that may require medical follow-up, and implementing medical recommendations, special diets, and other routine procedures.  

Maternity homes using local hospitals and clinics for prenatal care and/or delivery shall use only those hospitals and clinics approved and licensed by the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment.  

Prenatal care includes the following services: 

  • A medical and obstetric that is obtained at the time of admission 
  • A complete medical examination within 2 weeks of admission that includes all appropriate medical tests
  • An examination by a physician at least once a month in the first 6 months of pregnancy, twice a month in the seventh and eighth months, weekly during the ninth month, and more often if indicated 

Postpartum care includes the following: 

  • Every patient shall be given close medical nursing supervision and allowed an adequate period for recovery. 
  • An adequate diet shall be provided in accordance with the needs of the patient and on the recommendation of the physician. 
  • The length of the recovery period and the continued limitation of activity shall be determined by the attending physician. 
  • A postpartum examination shall be done by the physician before discharge from the home.  

Parent Preparation for Expectant Youth
Citation: Code of Rules § 0250-4-7-.07

Health education shall be available, including the following: 

  • Sound hygiene practices
  • Preparation for childbirth 
  • Infant and child care 
  • Drug and alcohol use and abuse 
  • Family planning 
  • Sex education 
  • Parenting education 
  • Sexually transmitted diseases

Education and Services to Support Parenting Youth
Citation: Code of Rules § 0250-4-7-.07

Accredited academic instruction shall be available for the mandatory school-age residents whose education has been interrupted. Arrangements must be made through the local school board to be certain that a certified teacher is being used and that credits are given for work completed. Safeguards are necessary to be certain that information about the resident is handled confidentially when credits are transferred.  

Economic and Concrete Supports 
Citation: DCS Pol. # 16.36

The needs of the child living with a minor parent in the same licensed resource home are included in the title IV-E payment being made on behalf of the minor parent. Separate title IV-E foster care maintenance payments cannot be made for children of minor parents unless the child has been legally removed from the minor parent. The minor parent's foster care board payment may be increased to cover the foster care maintenance costs of a child of that minor parent when the parent and the child are in the same licensed resource home or facility.

A child whose cost of care in a licensed resource home or facility is covered by the title IV-E foster care maintenance payments made with respect to the minor parent is also eligible for title XIX Medicaid.

Services and Supports for Parenting Youth That Promote Self-Sufficiency
Citation: DCS Pol. # 16.8

Pregnant and parenting youth, mothers and fathers, may face additional barriers to experiencing 'normalcy' that should be addressed in the case plan. Mothers and fathers should be supported in their roles as parents as well as in participating in age-appropriate activities. Hands on and other parenting instruction should be provided and a youth's right as a parent should be respected and supported in his or her placement setting. Arrangements for child care must also be made so that parents have the opportunity to pursue their educational and employment goals as well as extra-curricular and enrichment experiences.

Foster Care Prevention Strategy for any Child Born to the Youth

This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.