Decision-Making for the Permanent Placement of Children Tennessee

Schedule of Hearings

Statute: §§ 37-1-166; 37-2-404; 37-3-409

Review hearing within 90 days of placement and every 6 months thereafter

Permanency hearing within 12 months of placement
and every 12 months thereafter

Permanency hearing within 30 days of a finding
that reasonable efforts to reunify are not
required

Persons Entitled to Attend Hearings

Statute: § 37-2-404

The parents

Determinations Made at Hearings

Statute: §§ 37-2-404; 37-3-409

The appropriateness of continued foster placement

The compliance of all parties to the statement of
responsibilities

Extent of progress in alleviating the causes
necessitating placement of the child in foster
care

Progress in achieving the goals of the permanency
plan

Permanency Options

Statute: § 37-2-409

Return to the parent

Permanent placement with a fit and willing
relative

Adoption

Legal guardianship

Another planned permanent living arrangement

Independent living for a child age 16 or older