Department of Children's Services
Kathryn “Kate” O’Day, Commissioner

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The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services provides Chafee Foster Care Independent Living Program (CFCILP) services through its Office of Interdependent Living. As a part of the federal mandate, this division is charged with building a network of appropriate supports and services for youth transitioning out of care and those who are likely to remain in care. The primary foci of Tennessee’s service network are helping ensure ongoing connections with caring adults, the development of productive individuals within their community, the acquisition and maintenance of gainful employment, the achievement of educational/vocational goals, and the receipt of financial assistance and skills training among our youth and exiting young adults, as well as designing other resources to facilitate the transition to adulthood. A wide range of Chafee funded incentives are available statewide to eligible youth to assist them with achieving success in the following areas: Education, Housing, Employment, Transportation, Life Skills, Socialization, and Self-Esteem.

DCS uses Casey Foster Care Independent Living Program funds to staff Interdependent Living Program Specialists (ILPS) within each region across the state. The DCS ILPS work directly and collaboratively with Family Service Workers, foster parents, contracted providers and youth. They are responsible for local program coordination, service delivery, community resource development, and on-going consultation to agency staff, foster parents and youth. Although the primary function of the ILPS is to provide support and technical assistance to staff and resource adults, they also provide direct services and support to youth and young adults through life skills training classes, provisions of the Interdependent Living Allowance, and support and coordination of statewide youth leadership boards (Youth 4 Youth).