Dear Resource Parents,

I appreciate you for the work that you do with OUR foster children that are in temporary care in the State of Tennessee and the valuable resource you are to me and my staff. Without you playing such a critical role in the lives of families and children, Tennessee's most valuable natural resource (our children) would be at even more risk.

Whether you are caring for relatives, children down the street, or someone that you have only recently met; the task of providing for a child's permanence, safety, and well-being is all the same. Many of you are forced to wear many different "hats" other than parent. These include advocate, friend, teacher, chauffeur, chef, mentor, counselor; this list could go on-and-on. My point is that I want to share that I have a pretty grounded understanding of your job and what we expect from you in your role as resource parent. At the same time, I want to recognize you for doing so many things at such a high level and give you the praise that can be so easily overlooked. Most everyone that I have had a chance to meet with or talk to came into this work because of their sincere love and affection for children and the State of Tennessee will always be in need of others that want to share their love with children that are unable to be in their own homes. I would encourage all of you that currently serve in the role of resource parent or have the desire/interest to become a resource parent to reach out to your communities, churches, civic organizations, and friends so that you can share the need of parents for children in the foster care system.

I am a firm believer that over 75% of the work involved in Social Child Welfare is engagement, and I want to make sure that I clearly communicate to you that my staff are I are committed to supporting you in meeting the needs of children. If there are concerns, issues, or words of encouragement that you ever feel the need to share, I hope that you are comfortable in reaching out to us. Without working together, we will never reach our goal of a parent for every child.

Thank you, again, for visiting this site and for your selfless, giving spirit in this work.

With much love and support,
John L. Johnson
State of Tennessee
Dir. Of Foster Care and Adoption
Tel- 615/253-6351