Family Resources
A guide to the broader ecosystem of supports that families impacted by incarceration often need—caregiver assistance, child wellbeing, family connection, reentry, and trauma-informed care.
Help beyond our programs
Child Arise Tennessee provides direct services to children and families. This page gathers trusted external resources across Tennessee so caregivers, children, and parents can find support when our programs are not the right fit—or when additional help is needed.
Every link below points to a government agency, nonprofit, or research source we trust. They complement our mission without duplicating what we offer.
Who this is for
- Caregivers and kinship families raising children
- Parents navigating incarceration and reentry
- Advocates, educators, and community partners
Financial & Caregiver Support
Many children live with grandparents, aunts, uncles, or family friends after a parent's incarceration. These programs support kinship caregivers with training, advocacy, respite, and—in some cases—financial assistance.
- Tennessee Relative Caregiver Program↗
Support groups, family advocacy, respite care, referrals, and financial assistance for relatives raising children.
- Kinship Care Resources & Training (TN DCS)↗
Trauma-informed training, CPR/First Aid, navigating child welfare systems, and resilience training for kinship caregivers.
- Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network (GKS)↗
Tennessee-specific kinship resource guides, legal resources, and caregiver support materials.
Child & Family Wellbeing
Statewide directories, family support hubs, and care coordination services that help children and caregivers access mental health, education, healthcare, and stabilization support.
- Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth (TCCY)↗
Statewide youth and family resources, advocacy, publications, and service directories.
- KidCentral TN↗
Comprehensive Tennessee resource hub covering mental health, school supports, healthcare, childcare, legal assistance, parenting, and youth programs.
- Childhelp Tennessee Relative Caregiver Program↗
Care coordination, therapy referrals, crisis support, educational support, and family stabilization services.
Maintaining Family Connections
Resources aligned with Child Arise's mission to help families stay connected—through visits, communication, and thoughtful preparation for reunification.
- TDOC Child Visitation Program↗
Extended visits between eligible incarcerated mothers and their children and grandchildren.
- Casey Family Programs — Prison Visit Strategies↗
Evidence-based guidance on preparing children for prison visits and supporting healthy family contact.
Related topics
- Preparing children for prison visits
- Maintaining healthy communication
- Letter writing and staying in touch
- Reunification planning
- Caregiver support during incarceration
Reentry & Parent Support
Supporting a parent's stability and reintegration often strengthens the whole family. These Tennessee programs help with employment, child support, housing referrals, and community reintegration.
Mental Health & Trauma
Parental incarceration is a significant childhood trauma. Nearly 20,000 children in Tennessee are separated from a parent due to incarceration. Understanding trauma, ACEs, and resilience can help caregivers respond with care.
Related topics
- Childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
- Resilience building
- Grief and loss
- Talking to children about incarceration
Guides by audience
Whether you are a caregiver, a parent, or supporting a child directly, these topic areas can help you navigate questions that come up at every stage—from disclosure and visits to reunification and resilience.
For Children
- Camp and enrichment opportunities
- Mentoring programs
- Counseling resources
- School support and advocacy
For Caregivers
- Relative Caregiver Program
- Kinship care guides
- Legal and custody resources
- Financial assistance programs
For Parents
- Reentry services
- Child support assistance
- Employment resources
- Family reunification planning
Learning Center Topics
- What to tell a child when a parent is incarcerated
- How incarceration affects children at different ages
- Preparing for visits
- Supporting reunification
- Trauma and resilience resources
Have a resource to suggest, or need help finding support? Contact our team—we are happy to point you in the right direction.