Would you like to know more about child care licensing in your state or resources for children with special needs? Do you need to contact someone about child support, health care for your family, or help paying for food or heat? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Click a tab below to find those resources and more in Tennessee.
Find out more about child care in your area. Click on the links below, or contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for one-on-one help.
Child Care Licensing
Your local child care regulatory office
: Contact your local office
Provider Complaint Line: 1(800) 462-8261
Inspection Reports
Find out what programs in your area are in compliance with licensing regulations
Website
Tennessee Child Care Information
Information and resources for parents looking for child care in Tennessee
Website
Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Reimburses child care providers for healthy meals and snacks
Website
Criminal Background Checks
Understanding criminal background checks requirements in your area
Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) – Star Quality Program
Child care providers earn a rating when they meet quality standards. These ratings can help families choose quality care and can assist child care providers to improve and communicate their quality.
Website
ECE Shared Resources – ChildCareTennessee
A one-stop location for ECE professionals for policies, forms, regulations, guidance, discounts, and more to save time, reduce costs, and improve quality (Note: typically requires purchase of a subscription or membership)
Website
Discover resources that will provide more information regarding local services such as health care and child well-being.
Child Protective Services
To report suspected abuse, maltreatment, or neglect of a child
Phone: 1(877) 237-0004
Website
Child Support
Child support application and procedures for your state
Website
Medicaid Eligibility – TennCare
Federal-State health insurance program for low-income individuals
Website
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – CoverKids
Federal-State health insurance program for children – available to qualifying families who are not eligible for Medicaid. In some states, parents and pregnant women may also be covered.
Website
Tennessee Department of Health
State government programs to promote the health of Tennessee citizens
Website
Tennessee COVID-19 Website
General information about COVID-19 in your state
Website
Tennessee Department of Human Services
State government programs and services for children and families
Website
Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
State government programs and services for children and families
Website
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
State government mental health resources that may offer community mental health services (may include individual, family, and marital counseling), behavioral health services, and substance abuse programs
Website
Car Seat Basics
Information on car seat regulations and inspection services
Website
Are you looking for help paying for child care? Buying groceries or diapers? Find out what assistance programs are offered locally.
Child Care Assistance
Child care financial assistance program for working families
Phone: 1(833) 740-1440
Website
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
A program offering supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition information to low-income women who are pregnant or have children aged birth to five
Website
Find Your Local WIC Clinic
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – Families First
Cash assistance designed to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency
Website
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)
Federal nutrition program
Website
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Helps low income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs
Website
Learn about valuable resources for parents of children with special needs.
Easter Seals of Tennessee
Offers special needs resources which may include respite care services and other community supports
Website
The Arc Tennessee
Offers special needs services that may include respite care, advocacy, training, and support groups
Website
Early Intervention – Tennessee’s Early Intervention System (TEIS)
Early intervention services for infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delays
Website
Relative Caregiver Program
Resources for children in the care of a relative, member of their tribe or clan, godparent, stepparent, or any adult who has a kinship bond with a child
Website
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Child Care
Find out about the ins and outs of child care in your area. What is required to become a provider in your area? What requirements are there for a background check? Does your state offer any quality improvement programs?
Child Care Licensing
Your local child care regulatory office
: Contact your local office
: 1(800) 462-8261
Inspection Reports
Find out what programs in your area are in compliance with licensing regulations
Child Care Fact Sheet
Basic facts about child care in your area
Tennessee Child Care Information
Information and resources for parents looking for child care in Tennessee
Website
Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Reimburses child care providers for healthy meals and snacks
Website
Criminal Background Checks
Understanding criminal background checks requirements in your area
Website
Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) – Star Quality Program
Child care providers earn a rating when they meet quality standards. These ratings can help families choose quality care and can assist child care providers to improve and communicate their quality.
Website
ECE Shared Resources – ChildCareTennessee
A one-stop location for ECE professionals for policies, forms, regulations, guidance, discounts, and more to save time, reduce costs, and improve quality (Note: typically requires purchase of a subscription or membership)
Website
-
Health and Social Services
Discover resources that will provide more information regarding local services such as health care and child well-being.
Child Protective Services
To report suspected abuse, maltreatment, or neglect of a child
Phone: 1(877) 237-0004
Website
Child Support
Child support application and procedures for your state
Website
Medicaid Eligibility – TennCare
Federal-State health insurance program for low-income individuals
Website
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – CoverKids
Federal-State health insurance program for children – available to qualifying families who are not eligible for Medicaid. In some states, parents and pregnant women may also be covered.
Website
Tennessee Department of Health
State government programs to promote the health of Tennessee citizens
Website
Tennessee COVID-19 Website
General information about COVID-19 in your state
Website
Tennessee Department of Human Services
State government programs and services for children and families
Website
Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
State government programs and services for children and families
Website
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
State government mental health resources that may offer community mental health services (may include individual, family, and marital counseling), behavioral health services, and substance abuse programs
Website
Car Seat Basics
Information on car seat regulations and inspection services
Website
-
Financial Assistance
Are you looking for help paying for child care? Buying groceries or diapers? Find out what assistance programs are offered locally.
Child Care Assistance
Child care financial assistance program for working families
Phone: 1(833) 740-1440
Website
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
A program offering supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition information to low-income women who are pregnant or have children aged birth to five
Website
Find Your Local WIC Clinic
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – Families First
Cash assistance designed to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency
Website
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)
Federal nutrition program
Website
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Helps low income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs
Website
-
Children with Special Needs
Learn about valuable resources for parents of children with special needs.
Easter Seals of Tennessee
Offers special needs resources which may include respite care services and other community supports
Website
The Arc Tennessee
Offers special needs services that may include respite care, advocacy, training, and support groups
Website
Early Intervention – Tennessee’s Early Intervention System (TEIS)
Early intervention services for infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delays
Website
-
Relative Caregiver Program
Resources for children in the care of a relative, member of their tribe or clan, godparent, stepparent, or any adult who has a kinship bond with a child
Website
If you find that any of the information above is incorrect, please contact us at info@childcareaware.org.
