The Children's Home/Chambliss Shelter is comprised of two programs on one campus at 315 Gillespie Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The Children's Home is an Early Childhood Education and Care Program, that operates 24 hours 
per day, 365 days per year. This unique program serves children from six weeks to twelve years of age, with all fees based on the parent's income; a sliding fee scale. There is a strong emphasis on early learning to insure that when children graduate from this program to attend pre-k or kindergarten, they have been given the best possible start in life to help each child reach his or her full potential. The program is based on Creative Curriculum and every child is assessed annually to determine appropriate developmental progress.
"Summer at the Home" is a special time for all children, as the program provides a summer camp environment with numerous activities and field trips for the school aged children.
FAQs
Including summer, this program serves approximately 500 children, representing almost 300 families. The average weekly child care fee is $38, which includes meals, diapers, and formula (if the family does not receive WIC subsidies).
The Children's Home is a Three Star Program, which is the highest awarded to child care facilities by the Tennessee Department of Human Services Licensing. Children's Home has attained this Three Star rating every year since its inception in 2002.
Important Note: If you are interested in enrolling your child in our program, please call 423-698-2456.
The second program on our campus is the Chambliss Shelter. This is a residential program for children ages 6 to 18 who have been removed from their home for various reasons, whether it be drugs and alcohol or physical abuse. Originally begun by Judge Alexander Chambliss, this program came to our campus in 1983 at the request of Hamilton County. Children stay at the Chambliss Shelter until the problems at home can be resolved, until another family member is found to care for the child, or until the child is placed with a foster family. Just recently, we also began facilitating adoptions for the first time since the 1960's.
FAQs
The Chambliss Shelter can care for up to 30 children at a time- up to 8 children staying in the Shelter, some under supervision with a family member, and the majority of them being in foster placements.
The program was originally designed for children age birth to 12 years old, but this was changed in 2000 when a state court made it illegal to have a child under age 6 in a shelter. These children now have to be placed directly in a foster home.
The Shelter primarily cares for children who are termed "Level II" by the state. These are children who have a medical diagnosis of an emotional or psychological issue. We can also care for some "Level I" children, but they can only be in foster homes, not in the Shelter. These Level I children can also be under the age of 6.
