A continuum of care is a service model for working with children and families, in which an array of services are provided.  This allows for more flexibility in providing services, a greater opportunity to impact the child’s home environment.

After a child has left residential care, Tennessee Children’s Home is able to have a continuing presence in the home for four and a half months (this may be extend up to nine months when necessary).  In addition to residential services, therapeutic foster care, regular foster care, and in-home services are provided.  The in-home services component interfaces with all of the other services.  Within two weeks of admission to TCH an agency in-home worker begins visiting in the child’s home a minimum of two times per month.  Once the child is placed back in the home, the worker has a minimum of two face-to-face sessions per week with the child and family, and 24/7 on-call crisis response service is provided.  Other interventions may be made and other services rendered as needed.  As the child and family demonstrate progress, the face-to-face visits are reduced.