About Us

Our Mission

Tennessee Alliance for Kids (TAK) engages the community to meet the emergent needs of children in foster care, those at risk of entering care, and youth aging out.

The Problem We're Solving

The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) cannot solicit donations as a government agency and out of a need for tangible support, Tennessee Alliance for Kids was established in 2016. TAK serves the Davidson County DCS, Mid-Cumberland DCS, Office of Independent Living and Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes.

When social workers identify the critical needs of children, TAK meets those needs through items we call FosterLove.

Learn More About FosterLove

Our Staff

Blair Sehrt

Director of Operations

Blair Sehrt joined the Tennessee Alliance for Kids team in 2020 and oversees the day-to-day operations and communications of TAK. She was first introduced to TAK in October 2019 and immediately wanted to get involved after learning about the mission and impact TAK is making in the foster care community in Middle TN.

Blair earned her BA in Communications and Information Sciences from the University of Alabama and has more than 12 years experience in communications and public relations in the music, hospitality and non-profit industries. She and her husband, James, live in Nashville and are parents to two children.

Blair Sehrt

Director of Operations

[email protected]

Fran Maynard

Director of Development and Engagement

Fran Maynard is the Director of Development and Engagement for Tennessee Alliance for Kids. Originally from South Florida, Fran has called the Nashville area home for eight years. She holds a Master's Degree in Social Work and has always had a heart to serve the vulnerable, particularly youth in a crisis shelter, women in domestic violence situations and now as an advocate for foster care.

"I am honored to do what I do at TN Alliance For Kids as I love engaging the community around foster care. This is a position I prayed for and I look forward to being part of the great work TAK's doing,” shares Fran.

Fran and her husband Paul are parents to four children. To read more about Fran and Paul’s journey to becoming foster parents, check out her blog post here.

Fran Maynard

Director of Development and Engagement

[email protected]

Madison Vander Hoek

Communications Program Manager

Madison Vander Hoek joined the TAK team in 2023 as the Communications Program Manager. Although new to Tennessee, she has had a heart for vulnerable children and Middle TN for many years now. She brings experience working with children from group homes and young adults that have aged out of foster care. Madison holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Berry College and a Master’s Degree in Human Services from Regent University.

She enjoys this opportunity with TAK to partner with the community to meet the emergent needs of children and families in foster care. She says, “There is a great need that can often feel overwhelming. Not everyone is called to foster or adopt, but we are all called to action and support. I love that TAK provides practical action steps to support children, families, and social workers so that anyone can make a positive impact.” Madison and her husband, Troy, live in Nashville and are parents to one son.

Madison Vander Hoek

Communications Program Manager

[email protected]

Our Board

Sandy Ivey

Board Secretary

Sandy Ivey began her professional career in adoption after earning her BA in psychology from Mercer University and Master’s of Education in Counseling from Texas Christian University. She has worked in the field of adoption since 1990. Sandy served as the 1st Director for Bethany Christian Services Nashville where she wore many hats as case worker, board liaison, fundraising and Public Relations. In 2003, Sandy was instrumental in the opening of America World AdoptionAssociation as they brought their services to TN. Since that time, Sandy has served as Interim Director, Case Work Supervisor and Home Study Coordinator. She continues to work there today.

Serving families and children is Sandy’s passion. Her mission is to educate the public on adoption, fostering, and the orphans of the world. An Ill-informed world lacks knowledge which could help bring about change.

She is actively involved in the InterAgency Adoption Coalition and FAM the Foster Adoption Ministry at Brentwood Baptist Church. She also serves on the Board for the Middle TN. Orphan Alliance (MTOA) and she is a founding board member for Tennessee Alliance for Kids.

When not working or volunteering, Sandy and her husband, Steve, are enjoying their “empty nest”. Travel, cooking, entertaining and gardening are top priorities. Sandy and Steve have two sons by birth and adoption. Seeing the successful launch of her adult boys is one of her greatest accomplishments.

Sandy Ivey

Board Chair

Matt Wilke

Board Member

Matt Wilke is a Registered Nurse and is the Director of Nursing Leadership and Advocacy at HCA Healthcare in Nashville, TN. Matt holds a Master’s degree in Nursing Leadership from the University of Washington and a Doctorate in Transformative Leadership in Healthcare from Rush University in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to moving to Tennessee, Matt held healthcare leadership roles in the Seattle, WA area.

Matt relocated from the Pacific Northwest in the summer of 2022 to Thompson’s Station, TN with his wife of 14 years, Candice, and their 5 children, Jude, Reign, Bennett, Abreeana, and Isabella. Matt and his wife were foster parents for almost eight years in WA state and adopted three of their five children from foster care. Matt has a passion for helping children and families in need and is specifically passionate about serving children in foster care, their biological families, and foster families. In his spare time, Matt enjoys hunting, camping, traveling, and eating any good food.

Matt Wilke

Board Treasurer

Marissa Smith

Board Member

Marissa Smith is a Music Agent at United Talent Agency based in Nashville. Smith works with clients such as GAYLE, JP Saxe, JVKE, John Harvie, and more. She began her career at WME Agency as the first-ever Social Action Music Agent, booking the department’s non-profit, political, and social action related events. Throughout the last few years, outside of traditional touring, Smith helped to build and lead WME’s Virtual Appearance Department booking hundreds of virtual concerts for artists such as Kehlani, Charlie Puth, Dean Lewis, Culture Club, Lindsey Stirling, Sabrina Claudio and more. Smith holds board positions with several non-profit organizations including She Is The Music, Children in Conflict, Sustainable Partners, Inc., Diversify the Stage, and Tennessee Alliance for Kids.

Marissa Smith

Board Secretary

Kelley Campbell

Board Chair

Kelley Campbell is a professional consultant specializing in Accounting, Operational Consulting, IT Management, Strategic Planning, Budgeting, and Project Management and Execution.

Originally from Birmingham, Kelley received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Samford University and is a licensed CPA.

Kelley and her husband, Kent, have two daughters and personal passions for caring for children in foster care.

Kelley Campbell

Board Member

Jared Delong

Board Member

Jared DeLong is the Executive Director of Both Hands Foundation - a nonprofit helping fundraise for adoptions and orphan-related causes through serving widows. After graduating from Belmont University, he's spent over a decade working with hundreds of nonprofits on marketing and fundraising strategies, CRM best practices and data migrations. He's been involved with Tennessee Alliance for Kids since its inception in 2016 and has served on the board since 2020.

Jared married his wife, Holly, in 2017 and they live in Franklin with their daughter, Piper. He enjoys filmmaking, traveling to national parks and has a passion for helping ministries maximize their impact.

Jared DeLong

Board Member

Rupa Crump

Board Member

Rupa is the Stewardship Coordinator at the Chick-fil-A Brentwood, TN store and is pursuing a franchise operator opportunity within Chick-fil-A. Originally from India, Rupa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from IIM Lucknow. After moving to the US in 2010, she attended the University of Louisville to receive a second MBA. Rupa has vast experience working in large national and international companies along with owning her own business back in India.

Rupa has always had a God-given passion to serve children in hard places. She is a founding member of the Foster and Adoption Ministry (FAM) at her church and is involved with other local ministries that care for children in foster care and foster/adoptive families. Her heart to step into the TAK ministry stems not only from her past experiences of caring for vulnerable children in India but also her background of serving and leading others in this arena in TN. Rupa brings a proven track record of finding opportunities to connect people and elevate awareness of ministries but most importantly, she thrives in this ministry as it's a vehicle for her to live out her faith in Christ and be able to serve Him by serving others.

Rupa and her husband, Brian, live in Brentwood, TN and are proud parents to their two children. When not taxiing her kids to various sporting events, Rupa can be found enjoying nature or whipping up a delicious meal for friends and family.

Rupa Crump

Board Member

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?

Tennessee Alliance for Kids is based in Nashville, Tennessee.

How long have you been a 501c3?

The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) cannot solicit donations as a government agency and out of a need for tangible support, TAK was established in 2016. Tax ID: 81-3081709.

Are you a faith based non-profit?

We are not a registered faith based organization but we do work with various churches and religious organizations across Middle TN to provide support to the foster care agencies we serve.

Who do you serve?

TAK directly serves 10 counties across Middle TN through the Davidson County DCS, Mid-Cumberland DCS, Office of Independent Living and Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes (TBCH). We also provide an opportunity for residents across Tennessee to purchase needs for their local DCS office via an Amazon Wish List.

How is TAK funded?

We receive funding through individual donors, corporate donors, churches, grants, foundations and fundraisers.

What does the term “FosterLove” mean?

The program we operate under to meet tangible needs is called FosterLove. When social workers identify the critical needs of children, TAK meets those needs through tangible items we call FosterLove. These items may include beds, mattresses, clothing, hygiene supplies, school supplies, household safety items, car seats, food, formula, diapers and sensory/adaptive needs.

What is a TAK PAK?

TAK PAKS are backpacks filled with essential and comfort items for children entering foster care. TAK PAKS are needed year round and grouped by age and gender. On average, a TAK PAK costs $140. Find out how to donate a TAK PAK here.

How can I get my company or church involved?

We are working to build partnerships with companies and churches through funding, events, spreading awareness and in-kind donations. Learn more about Church Partnerships here, or Business Partnerships here.

Do you accept gently used items?

We do not accept any gently used items. We purchase all items brand new and ship directly to families or DCS/TBCH offices. Why? To ensure that all items are clean, safe and delivered efficiently. Many items requested are emergent and needed within 24-72 hours.

Does TAK work directly with children?

No. We do see children that we serve at TAK events such as our Easter Egg Hunt, Graduation Celebration and Very Merry Christmas Parade but day-to-day, we come alongside children and families through social workers.

I am a foster parent and have a need for a child I’m fostering. How can TAK assist?

Share your need with your case worker who should then report the need to their DCS Resource Linkage Supervisor. DCS Resource Linkage Supervisors in Davidson County, Williamson County and Mid-Cumberland, as well as Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes, can make a request to TAK via our request portal.

Have more questions? Fill out our contact form and we will be in touch.