Medicaid Can Be the Difference Between a Stable Home and an Inconsistent Foster Care Placement

To protect her grandchildren from entering foster care, Kimberly Pierce adopted her 12-year-old grandson and secured legal custody of his 2-year-old half-brother, all while navigating the challenges of her own health and financial limitations. From the moment the boys came into her care, Ms. Pierce did everything in her power to provide the safety, love, and stability they needed to grow and heal. 

Caregiving is never easy. It’s especially difficult for older adults living on a fixed income, caring for children with special needs. Ms. Pierce’s daily life is filled with challenges most of us can’t imagine. Her oldest grandson lives with autism, ADHD, and a traumatic skull fracture caused by past abuse. Ms. Pierce herself is living with heart disease and multiple other health conditions. Yet, every day, she shows up for her grandsons with courage, compassion, and strength. 

She’s able to do this, in part, because of Tennessee’s Medicaid program, TennCare. Without TennCare, Ms. Pierce could not afford the comprehensive health coverage her family depends on. TennCare ensures her grandsons can access critical care, from routine doctor’s visits and dental checkups to vision care and emergency hospital treatment. These are services that would otherwise be out of reach. 

TennCare plays a powerful behind-the-scenes role in preventing children from being separated from their families. For caregivers like Ms. Pierce, TennCare is far more than health insurance — it’s a lifeline that helps keep families intact and children out of a foster system that can be inconsistent and traumatic. 

By covering the medical needs of both children and caregivers, TennCare helps maintain stable homes. It provides access to mental and physical health services essential for children recovering from trauma. It supports the well-being of caregivers, whose ability to stay healthy is directly tied to their ability to keep caring for the children in their lives. And it offers critical financial relief, allowing families like Ms. Pierce’s to stretch limited income toward essentials like rent, utilities, and transportation. That support can be the difference between a safe, loving home and the disruption of foster care placement. 

Ms. Pierce made a courageous decision to step up for her grandchildren when they needed her most. And thanks to Medicaid, she hasn't had to do it alone.