Smoky Mountain Children’s Home Announces Expansion
Sevierville, TN–On March 28, 2018, the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home (SMCH) held a grand opening for its new offices located in Oneida, Tennessee, as part of a continued foster care expansion program.
The satellite facility will offer additional space for training and coordination of foster home services. Currently, there are 42 foster homes in Scott County. Larger office space and meeting rooms were required to meet the demands of the growing foster care ministry.
The community was officially invited to the special celebration which included appreciation to SMCH by several local leaders, a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony, an opportunity to tour the facilities, and a luncheon. The crowd was appreciative of the work each of the SMCH staff are involved in on a daily basis.
The new offices are located in the heart of downtown Oneida at 18718 Alberta Street.
In attendance at the event was Dale Perdue, Mayor of Oneida; Jared Effler, District Attorney’s Office; Christy Harness, President of the Oneida Chamber of Commerce and Scott County Family Justice Center; Pastor Chuck and Missy Jeffers, Oneida Church of God; Amanda Hutson and Sharon Marcum, DCS Child Support Division; Nikita Barnstetter, Scott County News; Paul Stunk and Hillard Mattie, Oneida Cable and Video Channel 4; Jacyln Laxton, United Cumberland Bank; Pastor John Johnson, Anointed Church of the Living God; a large number of SMCH staff members; and a host of foster parents.
Speeches and dedication remarks were made by SMCH personnel: Dr. Walt Mauldin, Executive Director; Tammie Mauldin, Public Relations Director; Betty Ogle, Member of the Board of Directors; Dr. Wade Horton, Clinical Director; Beverly Beard, Foster Care Director; and Samantha Layne, SMCH Team Leader.
Mauldin stated, “Our foster homes provide a safe place for children and youth to develop into the women and men God has intended for them to become. We are thrilled to be able to expand our foster care services in this area of our state.” Following the event, Oneida Mayor Perdue commented, “We want to welcome the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home in their efforts to meet the needs of hurting children in our city, as well as the surrounding counties.”
Based in Sevierville, TN, the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home ministers to approximately 500 children and youth annually. On the main campus, they care for an average of 60 youth. The foster care program provides a “home away from home” for another 100 plus children and young people, and on an annual basis, over 30 children receive a “forever family,” through its thriving adoption agency.
(Source: Smoky Mountain Children’s Home)
