In addition to offering services and support to individuals who are caring for children of relatives, the Shelby County Relative Caregiver Program hosts annual events including a gala for its boys and girls mentoring group. The 2024 gala, shown here, was held in the Mooney Library at UT Health Sciences.

The Center on Developmental Disabilities at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences has received approximately $5.1 million from the state of Tennessee to continue operating the Shelby County Relative Caregiver Program for the next five years. The funding was secured through a statewide competition administered by the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.

The award extends a partnership that dates back nearly a quarter century. UT Health Sciences was one of the state's original pilot sites for the program, and it has run continuously out of the Center on Developmental Disabilities, within the College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics.

The program serves families in which a relative is caring for a child when the child's parent is unable to do so. Tennessee law sets the eligibility rules, but the day-to-day work of the Shelby County program translates policy into tangible support, including short-term case management, home safety assessments, youth mentoring and enrichment activities, caregiver support groups, respite care, informational and referral services, emergency financial and material assistance, and parenting education.

"Every day, we see grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives make extraordinary sacrifices to keep children safe and connected to their families," said Bruce Keisling, PhD, Shainberg Professor and executive director of the Center on Developmental Disabilities. "This award reflects the state of Tennessee's continued commitment to supporting relatives who provide stable, loving homes for children."

A 2-Decade Impact

Since 2001, the Relative Caregiver Program has supported more than 9,500 children across more than 7,000 families. Over 95% of those children have avoided entering the state's foster care system altogether.

The program's quality and impact have also been recognized nationally, as it was named one of only 17 Exemplary Programs of its kind by Generations United and the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network.

"For more than 25 years, I've had the privilege of watching this program grow alongside the families it serves," said J. Carolyn Graff, PhD, RN, FAAIDD, director of the College of Nursing's PhD program and co-principal investigator for the Shelby County Relative Caregiver Program. "This continued investment allows us to build on decades of partnerships and provide relatives raising children with the resources and support they need to create safe, stable homes."

"This award is a testament to the extraordinary work of our Relative Caregiver Program team and the trust this program has earned across Shelby County for more than two decades," said Michael Hocker, MD, executive dean of the College of Medicine. "It reflects our college's deep commitment to serving those who need it most."

Together, We Are Better

The Shelby County Relative Caregiver Program hosted its inaugural Caregiving Conference in June 2025.

Last June, the Shelby County Relative Caregiver Program hosted its inaugural Caregiving Conference, themed "Together, We Are Better." It brought together more than 75 relative caregivers, social service professionals, and community partners from across the state for a full day of expert-led educational sessions, practical resources, and networking. The conference underscored the program's ongoing commitment to equipping caregivers with the knowledge, support, and connections needed to promote family stability and positive outcomes for children.

The program is tentatively planning a campus and community open house this fall.

"This award is a testament to the extraordinary work of our Relative Caregiver Program team and the trust this program has earned across Shelby County for more than two decades," said Michael Hocker, MD, executive dean of the College of Medicine. "It reflects our college's deep commitment to serving those who need it most."

For more information about the Shelby County Relative Caregiver Program, located at 239 S. Dudley St., call 901.448.3133 or email [email protected].