Reasonable Efforts to Reunify Families Tennessee

What Are Reasonable Efforts

Statute: § 37-1-166

The exercise of reasonable care and diligence by the department to provide services related to meeting the needs of the child and the family

When Reasonable Efforts Are Required

Statute: § 37-1-166

To prevent the need for removal of the child from the child's family

To make it possible for the child to return home

When Reasonable Efforts Are NOT Required

Statute: §§ 36-1-102(49); 37-1-166

The parent has subjected the child or any child in the household to aggravated circumstances, including abandonment, aggravated assault, kidnapping, severe child abuse, sexual exploitation of a minor, rape, or incest
The parent has committed murder or manslaughter of any sibling or aided, abetted, or attempted such crime

The parent has committed a felony assault that resulted in serious bodily injury to the child or any sibling

Parental rights to another child have been terminated involuntarily